I Love You, Too
August 3, 2008 | Updates
Tonight as I sit to write, I hope to be able to convey the story I have to tell with the feeling and intensity in which it happened. And most of all, I hope to be able to thank a stranger who listened to the voice of the Holy Ghost and touched my heart so deeply that I will be eternally grateful.
We spent this weekend up at Bear Lake (which is a whole story of it’s own). But this morning, we woke up and decided to attend the local LDS church. So, we all got dressed and headed off for the 11 am Sacrament Meeting. Only trouble was that when we arrived, there was a sign on the door stating that they only held the 11 am meeting on holiday weekends and that on other weekends, the meeting did not begin until 12:30 pm. That left us with 90 minutes and nothing to do. After some debating, we decided that we would attend Relief Society and Elder’s Quorum for the next hour and that would then just leave a small gap before Sacrament Meeting began.
So, Carole (my mother-in-law) and I headed into the Relief Society meeting with Samuel in tow. The meeting began with the woman teaching explaining that there had been a mix-up in the teaching schedule and she had just found out that morning that she had to give the lesson that day. If any of you know Relief Society, then you know that would be a huge problem for any woman because you need weeks in advance just to prepare for your lessonJ. Well, this woman worried and wondered what she would teach and how she would prepare with such little notice. She soon felt impressed to teach a lesson on listening to the promptings of the Spirit. And when she picked up her Ensign to find some material for the lesson, she opened right up to a talk on that exact subject – confirming to her that she was on the right track.
She then proceeded to tell the story in the Ensign about how it is important to listen and to act when the Spirit prompts us to. After she finished, she opened up the pulpit to anyone wishing to come up and share an experience of how listening and acting on the promptings of the spirit had helped them in their lives. Several women got up and shared personal stories. And as they did, the theme in their stories seemed to run together. They each shared some way in which either they were touched by the simple acts of others or they were able to touch others by their simple acts. And the acts were always preceeded by a feeling that they should do something small for someone else.
It was a good meeting. But I had decided to hold Samuel during it (as I don’t often get a lot of time to just hold him on my lap and I enjoy it). And although I was listening to all that was said, I was also spending a lot of time enjoying his company. And, although I did think of some personal stories of my own, I did not feel prompted to go up to the pulpit. I considered just taking Samuel up with me and sharing a story from our experiences together, but the prompting just wasn’t there, so I didn’t.
As the meeting began to wind to a close, a woman came up and sat behind me. She sat on the edge of the bench behind me and leaned forward so she could whisper something to me without disturbing the others. I had never seen this woman nor had I ever been to this church house, so she did not know Samuel or I or anything of our story. As she began, I wondered why she was speaking to me, but I listened intently to see what it was she needed.
She held a young baby in her arms and quickly explained that she had to leave the meeting early as she had to go to the library. But before she left, she wanted to tell me something. And then she whispered to me that she had been sitting behind us during the meeting and watching Samuel and I and that in all her life, she had never seen a child look at his mother with such a look of love on his face. She said she had been so touched by it that she just had to tell me before she left. When she finished, I was only able to utter a quiet “Thank You” and then she was gone. And I was instantly in tears.
It was just in my last post and just a few weeks ago that I had sat in Samuel’s room dreading the 3-year anniversary of his accident. And as I cried that night, I had decided that if there was one thing I could wish for, it would be for him to be able to communicate with us. And I had wished that I could know how he feels and if he knows that we love him.
I cannot express to you how deeply I was touched by this woman and what she saw in his precious face. I cannot tell you how wonderful it was to hear from her that she felt that he loves me. But I can tell you that she was prompted by the Spirit to share those feelings with me. How easy would it have been for her to make that observation, keep it to herself and walk away. But there was nothing in this world that I would have wished to hear more than what she told me. I cannot even explain it. It was incredible.
When the meeting ended, I went to the library. As I tried to speak to her, the words just wouldn’t come. I managed to tell her that it was just too long and hard to explain, but that I was so grateful for what she had said. She told me that she is a Special Education teacher and that she deals with children like Samuel all the time. And then she told me again that she had never seen a child with such a look of love on his face for his mother. The tears started again and I could only manage to tell her that I so often wonder what he is thinking. And I will never forget her response as she simply said, “Don’t wonder. He loves you!”
I’ll leave you tonight with my testimony of the power of listening to the promptings of the Spirit. I have 5 boys in my life who I love with all of my heart. Every time I tell 4 of them that I love them, they tell me they love me, too. But one of them can’t tell me. No matter how he tries and no matter how much I wish for it, he can’t tell me. Or at least he couldn’t, until today, when a precious woman and my Father in Heaven teamed up to let me know that he does love me. There is not a more precious gift in the world. And the most incredible thing is that it would not have had the same effect on me had it come from anyone else or at any other time. It needed to come from a complete and total stranger who knew nothing of us. And the fact that it came during that lesson is a testimony to me that she was prompted by the Spirit. My Heavenly Father knew what I needed. And this woman was worthy to help Him in His work.
I will be forever grateful to them both…
And, Samuel, your mommy loves you too!
Love,
Teresa
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August 4th, 2008 at 8:18 pm, Caradie & Corbin Says:
This is why I know Samuel so well, the love you two share is evident. It’s the same special bond that Corbin & I have together. It’s wonderful you share yours with us too.
Love
Caradie
August 5th, 2008 at 1:50 am, Suzi Searles Says:
Thank you for sharing that beautiful story. There is nothing more wonderful than hearing your child say “I love you” and seeing it said by the look in their eyes is just as wonderful. You are blessed my friend to have such a wonderful family.
Have you noticed anymore major changes since doing his ABR treatments? He is looking better all the time.
Suzi Searles
August 10th, 2008 at 12:48 am, Becca Says:
Teresa,
I don’t know if you remember me but I worked in the ER in Logan and came and stayed with Samuel after I first came home. I was deeply touched by your story, you are such an amazing mother and person, I think of Samuel often and how lucky he is to have you as a mother.
August 10th, 2008 at 1:03 pm, Freddie Jewkes Says:
HI there, Today I was thinking back about our family reunion at Joes Valley, and thought of Samuel. I found your website and have been reading it and crying since I got home from church today.
I don’t know if you knew it or not but my daughter Hannah got the cutest picture of Samuel sitting in his chair in the green trees and grass at Joes Valley this year. I have never seen it as green as it was this year. I was happy she got the picture and if you want it I can send you a copy by email. I stopped you and Samuel as you were walking to the fireside one night, and said HI, but I was not sure you knew who I was then, but as I bent down to say hi to Samuel I saw a brief moment of clarity in his eyes as he looked at me and smiled. He has never met me before, but I can tell you that Samuel is definitely a special little boy. He didn’t have to speak, for me to know he was saying HI there! Who are you? He was quite clear that I was not some one familiar to his life but he also seemed happy to meet someone new. it made me feel good. 
Your story has inspired me so much and I want to thank you for telling it all along the way, and on to his recovery. LOVE Freddie
August 10th, 2008 at 8:45 pm, Becca Says:
Yes it is me, Don’t worry I am sure those first months were a total blur. He is getting so big, I can’t believe he is the same little boy. Hope all is going well. I think of Samuel and your cute family often.
Becca
August 10th, 2008 at 10:01 pm, Natalie Says:
Teresa, I am in absolute tears as I read your story. That was such an amazing story and I agree that that woman was prompted to share what she saw. You are an AMAZING mama and there is no doubt in my mind that Samuel knows and loves you so very much. Thank you for sharing that story. I really was so touched. Love you lots.
Nat