Prayers & Memories

Yesterday evening Chuck read on the internet about the Perseides Meteor Shower which is occurring for several more days. You can read about it here. Last night from midnight until dawn this morning was supposed to be the part of the peak. So we got the children up at 5am this morning and laid on the lawn in our backyard with them for about 20 minutes watching the sky. (until Chuck had to leave to attend an early morning temple session and I wanted the kids to go back to sleep for another hour so they wouldn't be bears today.) I was particularly motivated to get them up since Hayden from time to time comments how he wishes he could see a shooting star, but had never seen one. Perfect opportunity. I used to have trouble falling asleep as a child and I remember spending hours staring out my window at the stars. I saw many shooting stars over the years. Thinking back, I'm sure I watched a couple of meteor showers but didn't know it at the time.

So this morning as we lay there we saw several in the first couple of minutes. But they were all over the sky, so it was easy to miss them in your were looking in the wrong direction. Hayden was getting disappointed because we'd all seen one or two except him. I said a silent prayer asking that he could see one too. Moments later there was a very bright one that flashed across the sky and we all saw it, including Hayden. I was so grateful that my small prayer had been answered and I told Hayden I had prayed for him to see one.

It may seem silly, but I can't even tell you how many of those small prayers I have answered. Even ones that aren't about really important things, but our kind Heavenly Father answers them because He loves us and they matter to us. Just like any loving parent, who doesn't give their child everything they ask for because it wouldn't be good for them, but does grant many of those small wishes that let the child know that they are loved. That is exactly what I believe He does for us.

Like my silly little prayer when I was trying to find a hamper in a store a few weeks ago. I had a furniture piece made for a hallway hamper, but ended up not being able to fit something in it as I'd planned. Multiple online and store searches had left me empty handed and even plans and efforts to make or modify something were not turning out successful. So while I was in Home Goods the other week I planned to swing by the hampers and said a quick little prayer that I could find something that worked. Even as I said it I thought I must be very silly for praying about such a thing. But I just didn't have any more time to spend on it and the piece of furniture was useless so far. I searched the 2 aisles and just as I turned the last corner, there on then end cap was a beautiful fabric & wire hamper that appeared to be just the right size. What's more - there were exactly 3, the exact number I needed! I couldn't believe it. I bought all 3 and tried not to get too excited until I could get home and confirm that they fit. Sure enough, they did fit with just 1/8 inch clearance on all sides. It was a small miracle to me, but a miracle nonetheless. Of all the silly things to pray about, yet it was answered.

And this mornings answered prayer meant so much more to me, because it was for my son's happiness. It was so exciting to watch the stars in the sky and see the occasional streaks of light. What a blessing it was that we could ALL see them and share that experience. It was a moment that I will remember and one that I hope will be a fond memory for my children as well.