A Somber Night and Flashy Lights

It is 9:50PM and Ed and I just returned from walking together on Temple Square. I returned from choir practice about 8:45pm to find Ed in his robe at the computer. I sweetly said to him, "Honey, would you like to go for a walk with me?" He carefully looked at me and after just a hint of a pause responded, "Sure, I'd love to walk with you." Into the bedroom he went and as he started to find a shirt he asked the harder question....."Are you wanting to walk on Temple Square or around it?" Now, we both know the mission rules. If you are on the Square you are supposed to wear your suit, white shirt, tie and badge. I was in my Sunday clothes still, hence the question, but Ed really tries to avoid the suit whenever he can. But I wanted to walk on Temple Square with my sweetheart tonight. My look communicated my answer and confirmed his fear but all he said was, "Ok, it'll take me a little longer."

Out into the night we went. It is 61 degrees, 52% humidity with a light breeze with a 40% chance of rain. The streets were quite empty as was the Square. At 9:00 the buildings on the Square close but the gates are open until 10:00pm so we walked around looking at the temple and feeling the night air. About 20 minutes into our walk we began to hear distant rumblings so we decided to turn back and head to the apartment hoping not to get caught in the rain. We headed out the West Gate and there it was in front of us off in the distance......fireworks! No rumbling thunder for us; instead, a wonderful light show. We stood right there on the sidewalk and watched across the street and through some trees that gave us a perfect view. At one point Ed put his arms around me and in touching me I could tell he had to be uncomfortable in the humidity in his suit coat. Now, grant you it isn't really that humid, but it was more so than we are used to and Ed feels it more than I do.

Maybe it was the fact that Ed taught a lesson on eternal marriage today at church, maybe it was that he had been away from me for almost two weeks (he returned late Friday night), maybe it was that he is just a good man, but he told me in no uncertain terms that he was happy to be with me on a walk even if it was a little humid and he had to wear a suit. (At that point he did remove his suit coat and carried it back to the apartment.....we were off the Square. ^_^)

It was so peaceful out tonight. On this day, I am grateful for peace. There is so much of sadness and despair in the world. Fires, floods and thoughts of 9/11 filled my thoughts today but those thoughts were accompanied by thoughts of gratitude for the Constitution of the United States. For those men who signed that document and what it meant for them and their families. Their lives were never the same. They had such a vision and they knew it was from God.

I am grateful for all those who have dedicated their lives to ensure this freedom for us; to make it possible for Ed and I to have a peaceful walk to enjoy the spirit of a religious place at 9:00 o'clock at night without any fear. We enjoyed the night and the lights.