Thirty Four years ago, Bob brought me a small, gray stone with a narrow white line straight around the circumference. As he proposed to me, he explained that the dark gray of the rock represented the unavoidable and unpleasant darkness we encounter in life. The white line is us, traveling together in the light. I still have that little rock, and everywhere we go we are always on the lookout for dark stones with white, continuous lines. Over the years we have quite a collection. This year, on our 43rd wedding anniversary, we camped at Teton National Park. I was standing on the beach of Jackson Lake at Colter Bay, enjoying the incredible scenery of majestic mountains, abundant spring wildflowers, and the clear lake waters lapping on the shore. Soon I noticed a rock out some 15 feet or so. It caught my attention because it was dark gray with a wonderful wide white line belting it. I tried to ignore it and snap photos of the birds and mountains, but my mind kept drawing me to the rock. I considered. How far out? How deep? How cold? I’d need to wear my shoes because the small surrounding stones were apt to be sharp to walk on. I’d get very wet. Was it worth it? After intense deliberation, I finally decided that it was worth it. Bob would be immensely pleased and surprised, and so, I ventured out, shoes and all. The water was only chilly, and maybe mid-calf deep. I arrived at the rock, but suddenly realized that it was much larger now that I was close. I reached for it, but found I couldn’t even budge it, let alone carry it out. Reluctantly, I bid it farewell and returned to Bob cooking breakfast. And so the moral to the story is….? You tell me.
Well, that’s not too inspirational. For ultimate inspiration please search lds.org. There is much gold there!
