Perspective

As the saying goes, “parting is such sweet sorrow. “

Sometimes, however, it hasn’t always felt so sweet

and has in fact been very heart wrenching.

During one of those difficult times for me,

I came across a history of my great-great grandparents,

Archibald and Agnes Adamson Anderson.

It tells of them being converted to the LDS faith in 1847 in Scotland. They had given birth to ten children, five of which died in childhood and one who died in young adulthood. (As if that alone is not enough heartache for a lifetime). Of the four living children, the three young sons joined the church when the parents did, but the older daughter did not and married a Presbyterian minister.

At that time members of the church were encouraged to immigrate to America, but after three years of saving they still did not have enough money. It was decided that the father would go on ahead to earn money and pave the way for the rest of the family. He left for America in 1855.

To quote from the history:

“It was on March 10, 1856 when the Anderson’s- Agnes (the Mother), Archibald Adamson, John, and James (the sons) said farewell and goodbye to loved ones and friends and began the long tedious trip to join their husband and father. The agony of parting so long anticipated and dreaded was upon them. In spite of the prayers and the faith they had in the Gospel and in their Heavenly Father, saying goodbye under these circumstances was one of the most difficult experiences of all.

One of James’ daughters, at a much later time wrote: ‘Many times I heard my father say, “It’s hard to erase the vision before my eyes, when our sailing vessel pulled out of the docks and left Agnes (the daughter and sister) with a baby in her arms sobbing her heart out, knowing that she may never see her loved ones again, and she never did.”'

Ok, that last paragraph

is what gives me perspective.

I may live far away from many family members I love,

but I’m only a phone call, a webcam,

or an airplane flight away.

Not a lifetime away.

How did they do it?

And how blessed are we?