Somethings are better left forgotten, but saying thank you is always required.

Dave took me to see Blind Side tonight. I was suppose to go to the Temple with some friends, but stayed home with Dave and the kids because Kyle was sick today. So Dave took me to the show and dinner since we would just be in town if the kids needed us. So this movie is well written and the acting is done well too. I liked the movie. But it was hard for me to watch this movie and not think of my own life. Not that I am anywhere near a million dollar football star; but grateful to see that the care of others can change a life. When I was seven years old, I was walked down a corridor of a government building and taken to stay with another family. It was for my own good. But I knew that my parents loved me. And when it is the day before your seventh birthday and your family is taken in all different directions; it is a hard memory to erase, and forever forget those feelings from your heart. I am pretty good at not being in touch with those feelings. Many times in my life I have had to block a memory or a feeling that I don't want to hold on to. So poor Dave. As I watched the movie those feelings of seeing your mother and father crying and telling you that it will be okay,that you have to go with these people. Not knowing if anyone really is going to protect you. And then just figuring out how to take care of yourself. It is a life that I don't dwell on very often. But then a thing or two helps me to realize that the Lord will always provide some level of protection. The Witt's were wonderful people who gave us (my sister and I) a glimpse of a family that has prayer, and faith. That Merry Miss teacher, who I can't remember her name, (but I could drive to what was her house in Kearns), had me read the book Charlie's Monument. When I read that book (at 11) I realized that I could overcome and forgive people, even people who did foolish things when they drank alcohol. The Miller family, who let me babysit their son and then hang around their house. For giving me the courage to look up, and teaching me that the Lord would not want me to look down. For Jane, who come to that house that night and taught me that the Lord will inspire people to rescue you even if you don't think you need to be, and don't accept their help. The Lord will still provide it. Karen who followed the prompting to write me a note, that note probably saved my life. Seminary, for giving me the chance to read the Book of Mormon and helped build my grandmother borrowed testimony. My Uncle Eddie and Aunt Sharon for taking me into their home and treating me well, when the persons who should have been taking care of me couldn't, or wouldn't, because of her addiction, or because of my stubbornness had decided i couldn't be with my dad. Not all good things end good, there are still tragedies that lie therein, but forgiveness takes care of those tragedies.
Just this list of lives does not include everyone that helped shape me. These are just people before I was 14. Like I said, I don't dwell on these feelings very often. I don't talk about them candidly. But I know that there are other people out there that know these feelings. But the feeling I am grateful for is love. No matter what the situation is I know that those who have had a significant effect on me, have loved me, and I have loved them. Some things are better left forgotten. But saying thank you is always required.