Service--Time well spent

Today is the third day I went to visit a friend, (Merilee) in the hospital, at Utah Valley Regional Medical Center. A little FYI-Tracie was born there when there was only two buildings and no higher than a two story building. Tara had kidney-bladder surgery there as a two year old over 37 years ago!

I guess there is a lot of history in that place if you stop to think about it. Merilee had a serious surgery that will keep her there about a week to remedy a digestive track surgical error done eight years earlier. Now she can heal, go forward and have a normal (?) life. Do we ever have "normal" lives? It means a lot to her to have someone be there to help her get through the roughest part of her recovery.

It seems like we cannot ever give enough in serving each other. But, what we can give is appreciated, believe me. The Savior gave us his counsel to visit the sick and take care of the needy, the widows and fatherless. He commanded us too that it is ok to do that on the Sabbath.

When I did hospice visits it was so important to make regular visits for each patient. I rather enjoyed that job and what a difference it made to go the extra mile and do something significant for my patients. I made it a matter of thought and prayer to know what to do for them to bring them sunshine on a gloomy day.

I liked to go out of my way and get them fresh flowers. I stopped at the wholesale florist on my way to visit Merilee today and bought her some fresh daffodils. She loved them. She had some African Violets, and lovely fuchsia tulips to brighten her room. It made her feel loved and so appreciated the kindnesses.

As I was hurrying and walking back to my car, I gave a prayer of gratitude for my healthy body and the blessing it is to be so active and able to serve my family. I count my blessings of health often. I am fortunate and pray to be able to serve others for many more decades to come.