Gratitude for Me and My Heritage

As I sat in Sacrament meeting today I was reminded of the topic of families and the things that they add to our lives. As I sat there I realized how grateful I am for my in-laws. I feel accepted by them and have accepted them for who they are. I truly feel a part of that family. In addition I had thoughts about my own family and where I came from. I realize that my family and Kent's family are very different, but that they both have so much good to add to my life and that of my family's lives.

I recalled my life of spirituality and realized that I am internally and spiritually driven because of the examples that have been set before me. When my mom's family got together for Christmas parties we would often if not always have some kind of nativity scene or reading of the story from the bible. I recall when both my grandma and my grandpa died that each time we had a sort of a testimony meeting. There was always fun and games, but I always knew that there was love of family and of God in each of them. Including those who were not and are still not active in the gospel of Jesus Christ. I think that spirit I felt was exemplified by the sound of our family choir. I may always long for those days of sitting around the living room or even a campfire and listening to my family sing. My grandma and grandpa and aunts and uncles had the most beautiful voices. The harmonizing was exquisite and enriched the melody I sang in those days. My favorite song growing up was Families Can Be Together Forever because I loved being with my family and I wanted to be with them always. It was with them that I learned my love of music and the spirit it brings in our lives. One tradition that I will never allow myself to abandon would be to spend Christmas Eve carolling to those who may be lonely. It was my grandmother who started this tradition and I have grown to love her for taking such a special night to teach her family how to serve others.

When we spent time with my dad's family while growing up I struggled to appreciate them as I didn't have many cousins I was close to. As an adult I have grown to love them more than I can say. More than once or even twice I have been blessed to hear them bear their testimonies of the gospel while we have congregated as a family. I have heard faith promoting stories and have been uplifted and taught while in their presence. Kent sometimes has difficulty sitting and talking with them for all the hours they can sit and just talk but I love listening to them. I feel like I learn so much from their stories and experiences that they are willing to share. This is also one of the places I learned to laugh. When you get the Kunz' together you'd better be ready for the decibels to rise. I think it would be absolutely impossible for them to get together and have no talking or laughing. Another thing I have learned from them is the importance of brother and sister relatinships. My grandparents passed on more than 12 years ago and yet my dad's siblings do everything possible to try and remain close to each other. They can spend hours when they get together and no one wants to leave. There is a real sense of closeness and love between them and it isn't just getting along for their parents sake. That about them really inspires me.

I truly have been blessed to be the person I am. I have had the greatest of experiences and I have been blessed to be born into the family and families I have. I have a great heritage to pass on and I pray that my children will be able to see how blessed they are on both sides to be a part of the families that they belong to. I am thankful for my families as well as the gospel that helps me to focus on the eternal nature of families. Again I truly have been blessed and for that I am ever so grateful!