Mom has encouraged me several times to write something on her blog. Up until now I have declined saying that I am recording my history day by day in my journal and you will all have that to read someday when I am gone. Following your kind and thoughtful and wonderfully generous Christmas gift, however, I feel compelled to write you all in this open letter to express my deep gratitude and awe for your love and generosity as well as your thoughtfulness. When we first heard the announcement of the Rome Temple, Mom and I both commented that we should go but later as we contemplated the cost, we felt we should forego the opportunity in favor of more important things. It's not that we didn't want to go! I can't tell you how many times I have had the urge to go back to my beloved Italia--but it just seemed so out of reach that I just had to put it out of my mind. But your gift to us--truly a gift from the heart--rekindled our desire and our belief that we could possibly go. And now for the rest of my life, it will be a gift never to be forgotten--just to contemplate that you wanted us to have this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity together is the sweetest feeling a father could ever experience.
I love you all with all of my heart and soul. I pray constantly that Heavenly Father will continue to bless and protect each of you and your beautiful children. Your marriages are such an example to Mom and me--we learn things we should do whenever we visit your homes. Please accept my deepest love and gratitude for your kindness and thoughtfulness.
Love,
Dad
2 comments:
We love you guys so much! It was fun to finally get an idea (thanks, Matt) for Christmas that we knew would be perfect and meaningful!
Love you both too, so much! It feels so good to be contributing to something so dear to you (and mom)! I'm so excited for you both.
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