“Let us resolve to cherish those we love by spending meaningful time with them, doing things together, and cultivating treasured memories.” Dieter F. Uchtdorf 

I had the blessing of visiting my son, his wife, and his little 2-year-old boy this week.  They live over 900 miles from me, and I don’t get to see them nearly as often as I’d like, but that makes our time together more precious. Adding to my joy was the chance to travel with my youngest son and daughter. My girl has been my traveling buddy for many years, but my boy doesn’t love traveling too much, so it was a rare treat to have them both with me. I was thankful for the company, too, as traveling at this time was more stressful than usual, and wearing a mask magnified all the discomforts of flying for me. It was definitely worth it, though, to see my son and daughter-in-law, and experience my grandson’s happy responses to having us all there, from shy smiles to friendly giggles, and hugs around the legs. He loved having us sit on the floor with him, often backing up, trustingly, to make himself comfy in a lap, and was quick to welcome my daughter by reaching over, grabbing the French fries off the counter, and dumping the last of them over her head. He never gave up trying to sneak the phones, earbuds, snacks, and game pieces we had, or trying to escape the safety gate, which was open and shut a hundred times more often with us there. Toddlers are terrific.

I enjoyed watching my son’s family interact, and even grow and change, in the short time we were there. My grandson decided to climb out of his crib for the first time, so emergency baby-proofing took up one morning. We were on distraction duty, as my son did the not-so-easy work of wrestling with the crib, adding locks to all the drawers and the three doors in his room, and stabilizing the dresser. With all that in place at naptime, we watched the baby monitor, in amusement, as the unflappable little guy quietly tried all the doors, played with a few toys, then finally conked out in the corner, leaning against his soft mini-chair, later shifting to knees on the floor with his head on the seat of the chair for a pillow. At bedtime that night, he turned on the closet light, which shone through the door slats, then dragged that same soft chair into his open toddler bed and slept on it in there, finally ending up on his own tiny pillow, clutching his blankie, by about 5:00am. It was such a tender reminder of how fast children grow and change, and the sweet and funny way they have of finding their way in new circumstances. I learned a good lesson from that youngster about accepting change without a big fuss and patiently figuring out how it can work for me.

While there, we mostly stayed in, spending our time together talking, playing games, sharing meals together, and laughing at my grandson’s antics.  The weather was beautiful, so we took a few walks, as well, chasing the tiny, constantly churning, legs of a busy little boy. Watching him, I felt amazed at how much love I feel for the sweet angels sent to my own children. Even when I don’t get to live close, and be a major part of their lives, they are constantly in my heart and their names in my prayers. I’m thankful for the connection of generations, of love, of family. I had a sweet opportunity to talk to my daughter-in-law about our temple covenants and sealings, reminding her that because of those, she is my daughter, and her baby is my grandson; they belong with us and are forever a part of our family, along with my son. The blessings of the gospel of Jesus Christ are the most comforting, sweetest, most unifying gifts we have in this life. Knowing these people, I love so much, are sealed to me—can be mine through eternity—gives me the strength I need when we are apart.

“Covenant belonging is to make and keep solemn promises to God and each other through sacred ordinances that invite the power of godliness to be manifest in our lives…

“To belong with God and to walk with each other on His covenant path is to be blessed by covenant belonging…

“As we honor our covenants, we may sometimes feel we are in the company of angels. And we will be—those we love and who bless us on this side of the veil and those who love and bless us from the other side of the veil.” Gerrit W. Gong

It’s hard to say goodbye, even temporarily. While we’re together, life feels brighter, more hopeful, more joyful. I imagine eternity is full of moments like these, together, happy, encouraging one another, and lending support and strength.  I think of my parents and grandparents, who were loving, cherished people in my life, and who I still feel around me often. I want future generations, to think of me in the same way; I want to be there for them, if only in heart and spirit, when I can’t be there in person. I want them to feel my love for them and for the Lord. I’m thankful to have these treasured years with them now, and I love building those relationships one trip, one hug, one precious moment at a time.

“All of us are in the middle of an eternal family. Our role can be a turning point at which significant changes can occur in positive or negative ways. President Hinckley [said], “Never permit yourself to become a weak link in the chain of your generations.” Your faithfulness in the gospel will strengthen your family…

“It is never too late to look up to Jesus Christ. His arms are always open to you. There are generations before us and after us depending on us to follow Christ so that we can be an eternal family of God.” Yoon Hwan Choi