Reflections

A few months ago I received an interesting phone call from an old family friend. She had been my dad's secretary for years. (if any of my family is reading this please don't tell Grandma or Sue about this story; they don't need to hear it for obvious reasons.) We played phone tag a bit and then she finally caught me at home. This is the gist of the conversation after pleasantries were exchanged:

Friend: Sandy, I called because I have a confession to make. (pause here for silence)

Me: I'm listening (with an encouraging tone, really)

Friend: Years ago I stole something from your family.

Me: Okay, go ahead...

Friend: After your dad died your mom called and asked me to come over and help her to sort through things, get rid of things and organize everything. I saw something that she had that I coveted. (sad feelings for me)

At this point she explained the item that she had stolen... I honestly could not remember it.

Friend: So, when your mom wasn't paying attention I took the item and put it in the trunk of my car, took it home and put it in a drawer in case you came over sometime and would see it. I couldn't have you know that I stole from your family.

Me: speechless

Friend: I forgot about it until recently. My husband passed away last year and as I've been going through things I found this item. My temple recommend is up for renewal, and I cannot get it renewed until I make this right. I need to ask your forgiveness.

Me: You are forgiven, everything is fine. It's a thing, nothing meaningful to us.

Friend: Thank you, you have no idea how wonderful that is to hear. Now, to complete this process I need to return it to you, when can I come to your house?

I knew that I would be at my mom's the next day and that she lives northeast of where my mom lives in Sacramento. I suggested we meet at mom's the following day and then she could see my mom too. I did have one request though,

Me: Please don't tell my mom, there is a lot of hardships in our family with my niece having colon cancer and my sister having a liver disease, she doesn't need to hear about any of this; nor does my sister.

Friend: Agreed. See you tomorrow!

The following day we met at my mom's. She visited with us for a few hours, I made us some lunch. My mom enjoyed the visit thoroughly. After a few hours my mom was really worn out so I said my goodbyes, as did our friend, and out to the parking lot we went. There we went to her car and she opened the trunk. This is the item that she pulled out of the trunk:



This is a mirror that my parents had hanging in their home at one time. I honestly have a flitter of a memory of it while Pat actually remembers where it hung.



This is the back of it, obviously it is not in good condition. It isn't anything 'special' or valuable either - it is simply a thing.

I was saddened that our friend had gone through something that was completely unnecessary. Had she asked my mom if she could have this mirror my mom would have happily given it to her, after all, my mom was purging belongings at the time. Also, to allow something so trivial get in the way of you and the temple really saddens me. The temple is a gift from our Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ to us; They want us to return to live with Them and we should not allow 'things' to get in the way of that, ever. One important part of this is that my dad died over 17 years ago... a long time to carry such a burden.

The fact that it was a mirror has not been lost on me. We see a reflection of ourselves in mirrors. My friend stated at one time that the mirror had sat on a chair in her home, staring at her. I have to wonder what she saw when she looked at it knowing what she had done, and after her phone call to me what she then saw.

I am reminded of this scripture found in Alma 5:14:

"And now behold, I ask of you, my brethren of the church, have ye spiritually been born of God? Have ye received his image in your countenances? Have ye experienced this mighty change in your hearts?"

I am so grateful for the atonement of Jesus Christ; that His actions have made it possible for each and every one of us to repent, to become clean, from just about any sin that we commit. He is my Savior and my Redeemer - without Him I am nothing. Thank heavens our dear friend knows that as well. We are truly blessed. I pray that I will have His image in my countenance at all times.