Video Courtesy of KSL.com
Friday, April 8, 2011
Monday, April 4, 2011
My Tribute to a Friend
Saturday afternoon after a long Utah winter, the sun was bright with the grass becoming greener, and many could be found outside enjoying the warmth of spring. Yet, the following day the valley floors were covered with the wintry pure white powdery snow reflective of a painting of heaven.
Inside a quiet basement apartment south of Salt Lake City a young husband was tenderly caring for his dying wife. They had returned a year earlier from Australia where Quintin had studied at the University and Holly, who was born with a severe heart defect, had enjoyed the physical blessings of living at sea level while reeling in the joy of young married love.
Photo: Holly & Quintin's wedding day
Sadly, Holly’s abnormal heart, which had undergone numerous surgical procedures, began failing, which forced the devoted couple to come home to Salt Lake City in hopes of extending her life. No matter how hard they tried, no matter where they looked, this beautiful couple was denied an opportunity to receive a donor heart because of additional organ complications in Holly’s body. Experiencing the various roller coaster emotions of grief in the realization that her life was at the end, and she would be separated from Quintin, she began to feel the overwhelming peace that comes from accepting life’s predicaments.
I visited her in the hospital months ago. She had actually died for several minutes, before doctors were able to bring her back to life. Lying in her bed as friends with similar health experiences who understood each other, she told me through her confident smile something to the extent; “I’ve come to that point where I can say ‘whatever you want God.’ Since I’ve done this I feel as though He has donated his heart to me and I am ready. I am not afraid anymore and actually looking forward to going to the other side.”
Photo: Holly & Quintin
Saturday morning in their basement apartment, knowing that her time of transition was near, and this might be their last chance together, her family gathered. They spent the day watching on TV the annual general conference for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. Most of the sermons centered on Jesus Christ and finding happiness in life and death by believing in the Savior’s redeeming love.
Shortly before 4:00 pm, in the afternoon session’s final sermon, Elder M. Russell Ballard said, “Great things are wrought through small and simple things. Like the small flecks of gold that accumulate over time into a large treasure, our small and simple acts of kindness and service will accumulate into a life filled with love for Heavenly Father, devotion to the world of the Lord Jesus Christ and a sense of peace and joy each time we reach out to one another."
Around 5:30 pm, with winter snow approaching the valley and surrounded by family, Holly transitioned to the other side. She was like the small flecks of gold in this world that had become a great treasure and now has opportunity to share a treasure of kindness with those who have also passed on.
It’s a fact that no matter how long the winter, spring is sure to follow. We live to die and we die to live again. Though the wild gentian always blooms, the wildflower’s apparent beauty at times appears over for the season. Often, though, the wildflower season is extended throughout the winter and one can view the remnants of the flowers that remain in the fields and forests of our area.
Though Holly’s spirit has moved on, her legacy remains and those who knew her are better and more righteous for having been her friend.
In her last blog entry Holly wrote, "I want you all to know how much I love you, and if I haven't met you than you are a friend I haven't met yet. I don't believe in strangers . . I'm ok, I am very aware of where I'm going and how wonderful I will feel there. "
Holly loved her Savior. She understood His plan of happiness. She had charity in her soul. She displayed kindness through humor, love, and friendship throughout her earthly life. She suffered much, but considered it a gift to help her grow. She now offers this comfort and peace to others who have passed through the veil of death.
I believe she will tell those who are struggling that the doorway leading to happiness is through Jesus Christ, God’s only begotten Son. Holly understood this eternal message and has been "chosen to declare liberty to the captives and preach to them the everlasting gospel of Jesus Christ, the doctrine of the resurrection, and the redemption of mankind from the fall of Adam, and from individual sins on condition of repentance." (D&C 138: 18-19) Holly will offer her heart to anyone who will listen.
Though we do not fully understand our Father in Heaven’s purpose in allowing his sons and daughters to suffer, and at times endure burdens beyond mortal comprehension, we would all do well to embrace Holly’s spirit of understanding and acceptance of her illness with a smile and the ability to see it as a gift from a loving Father in Heaven.
Truly, Holly has received the generous new heart of an Eternal Donor, even the heart of God, which can make us pure, holy, happy, and full of life. And like the spring tulip rising up out of the ground until it has fully bloomed, Holly and the rest of God’s children will rise again from the grave because Jesus conquered death. That transcendent gift gives each of us an opportunity to follow His example and become partakers of God's great plan of happiness, which is to bring to pass the mortality and eternal life of mankind.
Inside a quiet basement apartment south of Salt Lake City a young husband was tenderly caring for his dying wife. They had returned a year earlier from Australia where Quintin had studied at the University and Holly, who was born with a severe heart defect, had enjoyed the physical blessings of living at sea level while reeling in the joy of young married love.Photo: Holly & Quintin's wedding day
Sadly, Holly’s abnormal heart, which had undergone numerous surgical procedures, began failing, which forced the devoted couple to come home to Salt Lake City in hopes of extending her life. No matter how hard they tried, no matter where they looked, this beautiful couple was denied an opportunity to receive a donor heart because of additional organ complications in Holly’s body. Experiencing the various roller coaster emotions of grief in the realization that her life was at the end, and she would be separated from Quintin, she began to feel the overwhelming peace that comes from accepting life’s predicaments.
I visited her in the hospital months ago. She had actually died for several minutes, before doctors were able to bring her back to life. Lying in her bed as friends with similar health experiences who understood each other, she told me through her confident smile something to the extent; “I’ve come to that point where I can say ‘whatever you want God.’ Since I’ve done this I feel as though He has donated his heart to me and I am ready. I am not afraid anymore and actually looking forward to going to the other side.”
Photo: Holly & QuintinSaturday morning in their basement apartment, knowing that her time of transition was near, and this might be their last chance together, her family gathered. They spent the day watching on TV the annual general conference for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. Most of the sermons centered on Jesus Christ and finding happiness in life and death by believing in the Savior’s redeeming love.
Shortly before 4:00 pm, in the afternoon session’s final sermon, Elder M. Russell Ballard said, “Great things are wrought through small and simple things. Like the small flecks of gold that accumulate over time into a large treasure, our small and simple acts of kindness and service will accumulate into a life filled with love for Heavenly Father, devotion to the world of the Lord Jesus Christ and a sense of peace and joy each time we reach out to one another."
Around 5:30 pm, with winter snow approaching the valley and surrounded by family, Holly transitioned to the other side. She was like the small flecks of gold in this world that had become a great treasure and now has opportunity to share a treasure of kindness with those who have also passed on.
It’s a fact that no matter how long the winter, spring is sure to follow. We live to die and we die to live again. Though the wild gentian always blooms, the wildflower’s apparent beauty at times appears over for the season. Often, though, the wildflower season is extended throughout the winter and one can view the remnants of the flowers that remain in the fields and forests of our area.
Though Holly’s spirit has moved on, her legacy remains and those who knew her are better and more righteous for having been her friend.
In her last blog entry Holly wrote, "I want you all to know how much I love you, and if I haven't met you than you are a friend I haven't met yet. I don't believe in strangers . . I'm ok, I am very aware of where I'm going and how wonderful I will feel there. "
Holly loved her Savior. She understood His plan of happiness. She had charity in her soul. She displayed kindness through humor, love, and friendship throughout her earthly life. She suffered much, but considered it a gift to help her grow. She now offers this comfort and peace to others who have passed through the veil of death.I believe she will tell those who are struggling that the doorway leading to happiness is through Jesus Christ, God’s only begotten Son. Holly understood this eternal message and has been "chosen to declare liberty to the captives and preach to them the everlasting gospel of Jesus Christ, the doctrine of the resurrection, and the redemption of mankind from the fall of Adam, and from individual sins on condition of repentance." (D&C 138: 18-19) Holly will offer her heart to anyone who will listen.
Though we do not fully understand our Father in Heaven’s purpose in allowing his sons and daughters to suffer, and at times endure burdens beyond mortal comprehension, we would all do well to embrace Holly’s spirit of understanding and acceptance of her illness with a smile and the ability to see it as a gift from a loving Father in Heaven.
Truly, Holly has received the generous new heart of an Eternal Donor, even the heart of God, which can make us pure, holy, happy, and full of life. And like the spring tulip rising up out of the ground until it has fully bloomed, Holly and the rest of God’s children will rise again from the grave because Jesus conquered death. That transcendent gift gives each of us an opportunity to follow His example and become partakers of God's great plan of happiness, which is to bring to pass the mortality and eternal life of mankind.
As Shakespeare wrote:
Sweet are the uses of adversity,
Which like the toad, ugly and venomous,
Wears yet a precious jewel in his head.
(As You Like It, act 2, scene 1)
Sweet are the uses of adversity,
Which like the toad, ugly and venomous,
Wears yet a precious jewel in his head.
(As You Like It, act 2, scene 1)
Friday, April 1, 2011
Playing My Heart Out?
David Burger from the Salt Lake Tribune wrote a nice piece about my recent adventure hitting #1 on Billboards New Age Chart much to surprise of Billboard.
Paul Cardall plays his heart out on No. 1 album
The researcher who compiles the Billboard New Age chart expressed surprise that Salt Lake City pianist and composer Paul Cardall’s new album “New Life” ranked No. 1 for three weeks earlier this year.
“I’m not sure how they did that,” said Gordon Murray, chart and research manager of Billboard magazine, about Cardall and his Salt Lake City-based label, Shadow Mountain Records, a division of Deseret Book.
The album’s popularity seems even more surprising when you consider that Yanni, the undisputed king of New Age music, released his new album just six days before Cardall released “New Life.” For three weeks, Cardall, a little-known pianist and composer from the Beehive State, sold more copies nationwide of his new album than Yanni did.
But Cardall considers his biggest, and happiest surprise is that he’s alive.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)