Shaped up that they didn’t ship out
Sunday October 02nd 2011, 7:54 pm
Filed under: Family,History,Knit,Life

Listened to Conference today again; it’s a two-day multi-session thing. (The Sea Silk project got finished.)

Quentin Cook, one of the last speakers, started to tell a story.

Okay, back up: he first made the point that bad things happen to good and bad people alike and those who would judge the ones that bad things happen to, just don’t get it.

But it is amazing how all the personal tributaries that flow into the Mississipi River of the lives of all of us eddy and tumble together. As soon as he started into his tale, I knew exactly who he was talking about: I’d read the biography by the man’s son about his father. Then he named the name. Yup.

There were six young Mormon missionaries nearly 100 years ago whose missions to Great Britain were ending at the same time and they were going to return to the US together. With much hype going on about the world’s greatest ship, the fellow named Alma booked passage for them all on that one.

And then one missionary simply could not make it that day and was going to have to ship out a day later alone. The chance at a trip of a lifetime, gone.

Alma said no way no how are we leaving you doing that long trip by yourself; you’re going with us. We’re just going to have to re-book our tickets and that’s that.

But, but!

No buts, we’re going together.

Which is why they weren’t on the Titanic.

Which is why, nearly 100 years later… I have the best daughter-in-law anybody could ever ask for and an adorable little grandson who has totally stolen our hearts.

Alma, Kim’s great-grandfather, was generous to the one who was disappointed.

Small choices matter.


9 Comments so far
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:-} So glad!!!
I have to confess, I have been avoiding the wounded squirrel stories. Perhaps it is a tribute to your writing talent or to my particular vulnerability, but the mental images were too vivid for my emotional comfort so I cautiously scanned the first sentences and skipped after the first post.

Comment by Diana Troldahl 10.02.11 @ 8:03 pm

No coincidences. Especially fond of that photo of you and Parker.

Comment by Channon 10.03.11 @ 5:55 am

I remember hearing him speak many years ago. He was a good speaker.

Comment by Sherry in Idaho 10.03.11 @ 6:33 am

I heard that story in church when we lived in San Jose. I’ve always remembered the story, but not any of the names. The speaker said that it came from his grandfather’s journal. As he told it, the one missionary insisted on staying for a baptism of some people he had taught, and that is why he wasn’t available to leave. It does make you think about some of your disappointments, doesn’t it?

Comment by LauraN 10.03.11 @ 7:05 am

if you hadn’t made every choice you’ve ever made you wouldn’t be where you are — great message

(and adorable pictures of Parker!)

Comment by Bev 10.03.11 @ 7:29 am

Not only are you a Healer, but your are an Educator as well, with uplifting history, Plus being a World Class and Beyond Fiber Artist. Thanks for the reminder.

Comment by kristy phipps 10.03.11 @ 8:46 am

“Small choices matter.” You are absolutely right. There have been times when I have looked back and wondered where I’d be if thus and such had not happened. Meeting Amalie, for instance. Many, many other examples.

Comment by Don Meyer 10.03.11 @ 9:01 am

Wonderful story; and we can suddenly connect with history as something that happened to real people who still matter to us, right here and right now.

Comment by tinebeest 10.03.11 @ 1:29 pm

Funny, isn’t it? There’s always a bright side somewhere.

Comment by Erica 10.04.11 @ 5:17 pm



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