5 mo. Going back to Ronald McDonald

Joie Brooklyn Kartchner

1/19/13-2/2/13- She would be 5 months old today. We miss and love her dearly.

When Joie was in the DNCC in January, A friend sent me this talk. It brought me comfort to know we weren’t alone in our trials. She is gone now and I still have the comfort I needed then and need every day. I wanted to give you all something as a parent who has been there- and these were the words that came to mind. You are not alone. May God bless you and your families with an abundance of peace, love and healing. Love, Cody and Natalie Kartchner

“I have noted that children are often more naturally accepting of pain and suffering. They quietly endure with humility and meekness. I have felt a beautiful, sweet spirit surrounding these little ones.

Thirteen-year-old Sherrie underwent a 14-hour operation for a tumor on her spinal cord. As she regained consciousness in the intensive care unit, she said: “Daddy, Aunt Cheryl is here, … and … Grandpa Norman … and Grandma Brown … are here. And Daddy, who is that standing beside you? … He looks like you, only taller. … He says he’s your brother, Jimmy.” Her uncle Jimmy had died at age 13 of cystic fibrosis.

“For nearly an hour, Sherrie … described her visitors, all deceased family members. Exhausted, she then fell asleep.”

Later she told her father, “Daddy, all of the children here in the intensive care unit have angels helping them.”²⁰

To all of us the Savior said:

“Behold, ye are little children and ye cannot bear all things now; ye must grow in grace and in the knowledge of the truth.     

“Fear not, little children, for you are mine. …

“Wherefore, I am in your midst, and I am the good shepherd.”²¹

Our great personal challenge in mortality is to become “a saint through the atonement of Christ.”²² The pain you and I experience may be where this process is most measured. In extremity, we can become as children in our hearts, humble ourselves, and “pray and work and wait”²³ patiently for the healing of our bodies and our souls. As Job, after being refined through our trials, we “shall come forth as gold.”²⁴

20. See Michael R. Morris, “Sherrie’s Shield of Faith,” Ensign, June 1995, 46.

21.  Doctrine and Covenants 50:40–41, 44

22.  Mosiah 3:19.

23. Henry B. Eyring, Liahona and Ensign, May 2009, 24.

24.  Job 23:10.

From the talk “The Atonement Covers All Pain” by Kent Richards Surgeon and member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. Full text can be found at lds.org

I remember reading this in our small isolation room and crying. I was given a hug of comfort. I felt the presence of angels. Family members. Aunt Pam, Grandpa Hinckley and Grandpa Muir, Chris, Grandpa Kartchner, Uncle John. So thankful for that comfort that day and the presence I feel almost daily now.