This past week has been very interesting as I have dealt with things I thought I wouldn’t face for years—diapers and walkers.  I, of course, am much too young for these things, but they have taught me something valuable about aging.  No matter what you look like outside, aging happens inside, and seasoning too.  A person in this position finds out if they have a sense of humor (fortunately I do, having even come up with the idea of making designer diapers), what their spouse really thinks about them (mine has been unstingtingly faithful, helping me in and out of bath and bed, even scrubbing my back), and what things are really important to you when you’re at the bottom of the slough of despond.

For me those things have proven undeniably to be: the Lord, my family, my friends, and my work.  Not my appearance, even though I had my toes done and my hair dyed the day before I went into the hospital!  Vanity is a very empty measure.  Those (above) who love me most, do not care about how I look, only about how I am deep inside.

It has been a powerful lesson.  My goal is to live like Iris Stout—the 101 year old lady in our ward.  Even at her age, she runs a book club, travels by plane alone, and participates in Sunday School.  She has grasped the essentials of earthly life—surrounded by friends.

My thanks to everyone who has helped heave me up from down under.  Now, maybe I can get some work done!