Bronchitis

When I was about ten years old, I got sick with bronchitis at the same time my parents were due to go away together to a convention for Dad’s work. As a parent myself now and looking back, I am sure that my mother was looking forward to the time away with her husband, but as a sick child, I did not want them to go. The tight feeling in my chest that made breathing so difficult was scary to me and I wanted my Mom around.

My parents knew that I was scared and sick but they also knew that I had lived through many such illnesses and that I would live through this one too. They made the difficult decision to go on their trip as planned. Before they left my father laid his hands on my head and gave me a priesthood blessing that my body would heal and I would get better. I had faith that that blessing would work but I was still sick and scared and reluctant to have them leave.

They did leave, however, and I remember lying alone in my parent’s bed trying hard to breathe and I was scared. I said a prayer of my own to Heavenly Father that the scared feeling would go away and that I would be able to breathe easier. After my prayer, I thought about what they had taught us in Primary, that singing hymns was a good way to get unwanted thoughts and feelings out of our minds. I started singing quietly to myself all of the Primary songs and hymns that I could remember. My Heavenly Father blessed me with the comfort and peace that the Holy Ghost brings to us in times of need.

Shortly after that my mom came back through the door. She had been having second thoughts about leaving me sick and scared so they had turned around and come home. This time though, I could smile at her and say that I was okay. I was no longer scared, I was breathing easier and it was alright with me if she went with Dad. I knew at that point that I was going to be fine and my Heavenly Father was watching over me.

Mom and Dad left again, this time feeling easier about me. And this time I rolled over and went to sleep as they left. I awoke the next morning feeling fine and with a stronger testimony of the power of the priesthood and an assurance that my Heavenly Father’s love for me matched my earthly parents love for me. I am grateful for that testimony.