Primary Today

Primary is a special place.  I love to be there.  Today was a little tender because our friend who passed away  several weeks ago has a son in Jr and Sr primary.  Both these boys have birthdays this coming week.  So, we needed to sing to them.  Our music leader couldn't hold back the tears as we sang to the boy in Jr. primary.  Being young I don't think he quite understood why Sister N. was crying. 
For the birthday song for the older son Sister N passed the job of leading it to another leader ahead of time.  Although the younger son didn't put together why she was crying the older one would and she didn't want to embarrass him. 
The lesson was on Christ's resurrection of course being Easter.  Our sweet primary president had the opportunity to give this lesson for sharing time.  It can already be an emotional topic but add on that the fact that we had just experienced a loss in our ward and that there are children in our primary who are feeling that loss so deeply, there were many tears shed by us leaders.
There was one moment when our primary president drew the younger sons name to be a helper and she started to get teary as did many of us leaders as this sweet boy walked to the front of the room. 
What a wonderful lesson of hope and healing during this time when people, especially this family are grieving. 
This family has been such an example to us of faith and testimony during this hard time.  They are lifting others around them which amazes me. 
At the end of sharing time in Sr. primary our president was talking to the kids about the Mormon message, "Because of Him".  She was talking about how it gives us hope.  When she mentioned that the older son but his arm around his friend next to him and gave it a squeeze.  I teared up as I saw this boy, who is hurting I'm sure, put his arm around his friend.  He's a lot like his dad...what a great man he will be! :)
I'm so grateful for the gospel.  I'm so grateful that, as President Uchtdorf puts it, there are no endings, only eternal beginnings.  Endings are not our destiny. 
I know Jesus lives.  I know our friends spirit lives and that his body and spirit will be reunited someday during the resurrection.  I know that "death hath no sting" because of our Savior.  What a blessing to know this.   Everything is because of him!  Without him we would be nothing. 
My gratitude in that knowledge is overpowering right now.