A laugh that can heal a soul

 I am grateful for family. 

Tonight, Carson and I drove up to Bountiful to have dinner and gather around for the much anticipated Easter-celebration. 

Mission: My Grandfather is an architect. A few months ago, a man who my grandpa had done work for 20+years ago, confessed that he had never paid my Grandfather. Long story short, my Grandparents, being the people that they are, decided to use the money to bless the lives of others. They did many things. One of which I felt the desire to write about. 

In January, each family received a letter from my Grandparents with $300. The letter described a project. Each family was to collaborate as a family and find some way to spend this money to bless another. Aside from using all of the money, there were no limits or rules. We just had to complete the project by March 24th. 

Last night, we all gathered and shared what each family had done. I was in awe. One family helped a missionary in their ward who did not have the financial means to serve and compiled a book for him with all of their testimonies. Another family bought flowers and cards and took them to all of the widowers in their neighborhood on Valentines Day and used the rest to purchase necessities for Primary Children's Hospital. One family donated to a few charities that had personal meanings to them. Another bought school lunches for a local elementary school, anonymously paid for a few meals at a restaurant, bought glasses for an elderly neighbor, and took some money to the homeless. 

WHAT WE DID: 

My mom was on a lunch break one day and was asking around about different ideas. She discovered a place called 24-7 Daycare. It is a very humble building hidden in the neighborhoods of Salt Lake City.  A few women work to provide a place for children to stay 24-7 while their parent or guardians work or are away. Many of the children have nothing. Literally. Some do not even have shoes or coats to wear in this cold winter season. The owner has bought coats for many out of her own pocket. The snacks they receive make up most of their diet. 

We felt we could help here.

We all met on a Saturday afternoon and went shopping. My mom received a list of sizes and items the kids needed. We scattered around the store grabbing shirts, pants, undergarments, shoes, and TONS of Easter stuffed animals and toys for their Easter baskets. (I love shopping for children.) It was so exciting as we tried to picture the children in their new clothes or playing with their new toys.

A following weekend, we all met up at the Day Care to give the gifts and play with the children. The moment we walked in, the kids were smiling from ear to ear. They were ecstatic that visitors were coming. Every single one of my family members was just darling with the children. After receiving a run down of the facility, we all went into the big playroom and gathered all of the children together into a circle to play Duck, Duck, Goose. We played so many rounds; every child wanted to have a turn to be it!  There were many different languages spoken, ages, abilities, etc. BUT it didn't matter. The children were laughing, squealing, jumping, and running around and around. 

One young boy, in particular, had an extreme disability. He could not talk very well and his legs did not work properly. However, he was so excited to play. Once he was tagged, he ran as fast as his little body could take him. He threw his head back and laughed and squealed the entire time he was running. I don't even think he was watching where he was going, he was so unbelievably happy. I just wanted to cry. There was so much light in his eyes. I am telling you, his laughter could heal a soul. 

These children, above anything else, just want love. 

We all left so uplifted. The children brought out the best in all of us. My family members were so darling with the children. For example, my Dad went around in one of the rooms and individually asked the children their names. He joked and teased with them. They all laughed. He told them to call him "Joe!" Many of them repeatedly shouted, "Joe, Joe, Joe." Carson was giving them all high-fives and giving them so much attention. Upon leaving, one little boy started crying and came to the entrance with a caretaker asking Carson for a high-five before we got into the car. We sang songs and talked to the children. It was so fun to watch my sweet mother, Chelsea, Eliza, Nick, my Dad, and Carson interacting with the kids. I did not want to leave. I felt so happy being amongst my family and these sweet children.  

***

I am so grateful for to my Grandparents for giving us this opportunity. I am grateful to be apart of a large family unit made up of so many good people. One family can really make a difference.

“A man who is full of the love of God is not content with blessing his family only, but thinks about all of the people in the world, anxious to bless the whole human race.”

-the Prophet Joseph