Joseph F. Smith's first child, Mercy Josephine, died before her third birthday, he wrote: “My heart is bruised and wrenched almost asunder. I am desolate, my home seems desolate. … I look in vain, I listen, no sound, I wander through the rooms, all are vacant, lonely, desolate, deserted. … No beaming little black eyes sparkling with love for papa; … but a vacant little chair. … and only the one desolate thought forcing its crushing leaden weight upon my heart—she is not here, she is gone!”
As I read this quote, it made me appreciate the life and love of my children. How grateful I am for their lives and their light. Sometimes I take it forgranted, and I don 't ever want to do that.
Especially at this time of year I am grateful for the Savior and his Atonement that we may live again.
