Aunt Dawn

My Aunt Dawn Boyle passed away today, the last of my parent's generation. All afternoon I have been thinking about her and as I did, I remembered this photo. It was taken during the short time that Dawn and my Uncle Edward, my mother's brother, lived in Lonoke, Arkansas . The baby is my cousin Doug Boyle. The interesting thing is that in my mind the photo showed both of them smiling and clearly they were not. These slightly grumpy expression were not the norm for them. I can't picture them with anything but big smiles. I can still hear Dawn's sweet laugh. These two truly lived the words of former President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, Gordon B. HInckley, "The gospel is a thing of joy. It provides us with a reason for gladness. Of course there are times of sorrow. Of course there are hours of concern and anxiety. We all worry. But the Lord has told us to lift our hearts and rejoice. I see so many people...who seem never to see the sunshine, but who constantly walk with storms under cloudy skies. Cultivate an attitude of happiness. Cultivate a spirit of optimism. Walk with faith, rejoicing in the beauties of nature, in the goodness of those you love, in the testimony which you carry in your heart concerning things divine." I am eternally grateful for the example my Aunt Dawn and Uncle Eddie set for me.