I never turn down such assignments when they are offered, and this is why - in the midst of mortal life, there are opportunities to glimpse heaven. It may be difficult to recognize them while shrouded in bodies of flesh and bone with passions and appetites so very mortal, but they are everywhere. When I serve in the temple to clean or work in the laundry I am reminded in a very real way that this is my Heavenly Father's house. I'm blessed with a vision that not only illuminates my understanding and perspective of things eternal, but does the same for the very mortal things I am surrounded by each day.
My own house is a temple. As is my body.
I am wandering here, my thoughts tend toward that, but I wanted to write about the woman who served beside me. Her name was Thora. She came about 15 minutes into my shift and began to work quietly beside me. I noticed of course her lovely white hair, and her beautiful wedding bands, as my vision was limited somewhat being discreet without outright staring at her. As we began to chat and she looked directly at me I was struck by her beautiful face. Her eyes were a crystal blue but what struck me most was her beautiful smile. It never left her for a moment. It couldn't. It was there as a permanent place among her many wrinkles. In fact, it was what had created all those wrinkles. I realized as I sat beside her and spoke softly with her, that her smile was a reflection of who she was. A woman who no doubt had lived a long life, and somehow through the many experiences both happy and sad had chosen to wear a smile through it all. And now it was a part of her face in the most lovely way I have ever seen.
After a short time, she had to leave, off to another assignment in the Lord's house, and I will probably never meet her again, but I pondered over her for the remainder of my time and am still thinking of her even now. Am I too old at 55 to create such a face, with wrinkles of happiness? A face as lovely as Thora's or Sister Hinckley? I have had my share of sorrow, as have each of us here in mortality, but I doubt there has been more saddness in my life than in others. I know not of Thora's sorrows, of her heartbreaks and tears, nor do I know of her happiness. What I do know however, is that she chose to smile through it all.
I do hope it is not too late for me to have such a face.
Let me try just one day at a time to smile more, to laugh and find happiness in all that is around me.
