there is sunshine in my soul today

dear little leah, 

today is a good day. there is sunshine in my soul. it's a bit gray outside {which i love}, we have plans to go see the infamous christmas tree lane in a neighboring city tonight with friends while enjoying hot cocoa and doughnuts {yum!}, you are sweet as can be {lots of hugs and snuggles and giggles today!}, and a dear friend sent me the following in an email earlier this week. she was teaching a primary class {young children} at church and she said the manual suggested to share the following story:

"Tell about a girl named Heather Erickson. She had such a severe disease that she had very little control of her body. The only way she could communicate was by her family asking her questions. If the answer was “yes,” she would look directly at the speaker, and if the answer was “no,” she would blink. Heather and her family became very good at communicating this way. Heather’s special love for Jesus, in spite of her physical handicaps, was often expressed in her communications. One day her speech therapist asked Heather what her favorite song was. Heather became excited and was anxious for her therapist to know what song it was that she loved most. After three days of searching and asking questions, the song was finally identified. It was “There Is Sunshine in My Soul Today” (Hymns, no. 227).

"The last two lines, 'And Jesus listening can hear / The songs I cannot sing,' was Heather’s favorite part. Her therapist asked, “Heather, is that it? Is that what you like about the song? Is it what you want me to know? That Jesus is listening and He can hear the songs you cannot sing?” Heather lifted her head and looked her therapist straight in the eyes with excitement and yet almost relief evident on her face. The testimony had been borne. (Adapted from Bruce and Joyce Erickson, When Life Doesn’t Seem Fair [1995], pp. 49–55.)"

my friend then went on to say, "The children were so very fascinated with the girl in the story and they just wanted to talk about her and ask me questions about her and about her disease.  The lesson gives very little detail about all that stuff, but I told them that I did know a girl who couldn't speak or control her hands to learn sign-language, but was still very smart and had to communicate with her eyes.  Later that night "There Is Sunshine in My Soul Today" came on and it made me think of Leah.  That song used to make think of the MTC, but now I think it will forever remind me of your sweet little girl."

i actually found myself weeping in the middle of church a few months ago as i sang that song. i'd never thought of it in relation to you, little leah. and that day, it just really struck me. Christ does hear you. He does care about you. and He knows exactly how you feel. i hope you know that, little leah. and i hope you always remember that. thanks for helping me - and others - to remember too. 

i love you. 

love, 

mommy