Since Monday, many people have asked me how I am doing since finding out that my younger sister Desireé had taken her own life. Mostly, It has been extremely hard for me to be without my family. To be there to comfort them and for them to comfort me. I have never had to rely so much on my Heavenly Father as I have at this time. Rely on Him for comfort not only for me, but for all of those who knew and loved Desireé. I am coming to understand more fully that our father in heaven has a perfect plan for everyone of his children. It gives me great comfort to know that He has a plan for Desireé, that I know exactly where she is at this time, that she lives still, that she is not alone, and that what ever she was struggling with in this life, she is free from it. I trust in my Heavenly Father and that he knows how to save every one of His children. We are HIS, and he loves us perfectly. Without conditions or want. I am thankful to my Heavenly Father for the 15 years I did get to spend with her and get to know her, to laugh wiith her, cry with her, fight, forgive, teach her, and learn from her.
As a little kid, Desireé always making jokes that didn't make sense, but everyone laughed anyways because her laugh was so contagious. In middle school, she loved to bake chocolate chip cookies. I remember coming home from school to fresh baked cookies every day for a week, and Dad being surprised when the giant bag of chocolate chips from Costco was already gone. Des was very special and very intelligent. Before leaving on my mission, I had the opportunity to spend a lot of time with her, and while here in Guatemala, she would email me. Desireé loved to read and write. She loved art and music. She would talk with me about the latest book she was reading and the newest poem she had written. She always used a dictionary when she read in case there was a word she didn't know. That always really impressed me. She wrote me a few months ago about a goal she made to read 50 books by the time the school year ended. She said, ''I made a goal to read 50 books this school year. I want to get into some classics and I really like the sorts of books that leave people speechless and in love with every word of every page. My lit teacher from last year is really awesome and she knows the kinds of books I like and I told her about my goal so she gives me books and book titles to read''. She had already read 7 books when she wrote me that!
We spent hours going through her mp3, CDs, and youtube, showing me the new songs she liked. We didn't have the same taste in music, but when Desireé started to open up about something she really liked, I loved to talk with her about it because she always had unique ideas and opinions and talked in a way that not most teenagers do. She dreamed of becoming a Psychologist or therapist so that she could help others and I believe that she did help many people while here. She befriended many that were in need of a friend. She sat with those who were alone. She talked with those who just needed to talk. I know she will have the opportunity to continue to help many people, and not only on the other side, but her family and friends as well who love, miss, and remember her every day.
I am thankful to have the knowledge of the restored gospel in my life and for the opportunity I have to share it with others every day. That I may be able to help someone else during a difficult time such as this to bring them the sweet peace and comfort that one feels from the atonement of Jesus Christ, who took on the pains and afflictions of all mankind. I am thankful to know that this is not the end for Desireé or for our family because we have been sealed together for eternity. I know that one day all of these tears of sadness and pain will be tears of complete joy when we are once again reunited as a family, and we will be surprised at how quickly that day comes. For this life is but a small moment in the eternities D&C 121 vs 7.
I just want to send my love and thanks to all that have been there to support me and my family during this time. I am so grateful to know that my family has been so well taken care of by not only family, friends, and the church, but also complete strangers. Thank you to all those who were a friend to Desireé. Who knew her and loved her. Who tried to love her, be her friend, and encourage her. I love and miss her every day, and know that many people love and miss her as well.
Love,
Hermana Bender
As a little kid, Desireé always making jokes that didn't make sense, but everyone laughed anyways because her laugh was so contagious. In middle school, she loved to bake chocolate chip cookies. I remember coming home from school to fresh baked cookies every day for a week, and Dad being surprised when the giant bag of chocolate chips from Costco was already gone. Des was very special and very intelligent. Before leaving on my mission, I had the opportunity to spend a lot of time with her, and while here in Guatemala, she would email me. Desireé loved to read and write. She loved art and music. She would talk with me about the latest book she was reading and the newest poem she had written. She always used a dictionary when she read in case there was a word she didn't know. That always really impressed me. She wrote me a few months ago about a goal she made to read 50 books by the time the school year ended. She said, ''I made a goal to read 50 books this school year. I want to get into some classics and I really like the sorts of books that leave people speechless and in love with every word of every page. My lit teacher from last year is really awesome and she knows the kinds of books I like and I told her about my goal so she gives me books and book titles to read''. She had already read 7 books when she wrote me that!
We spent hours going through her mp3, CDs, and youtube, showing me the new songs she liked. We didn't have the same taste in music, but when Desireé started to open up about something she really liked, I loved to talk with her about it because she always had unique ideas and opinions and talked in a way that not most teenagers do. She dreamed of becoming a Psychologist or therapist so that she could help others and I believe that she did help many people while here. She befriended many that were in need of a friend. She sat with those who were alone. She talked with those who just needed to talk. I know she will have the opportunity to continue to help many people, and not only on the other side, but her family and friends as well who love, miss, and remember her every day.
I am thankful to have the knowledge of the restored gospel in my life and for the opportunity I have to share it with others every day. That I may be able to help someone else during a difficult time such as this to bring them the sweet peace and comfort that one feels from the atonement of Jesus Christ, who took on the pains and afflictions of all mankind. I am thankful to know that this is not the end for Desireé or for our family because we have been sealed together for eternity. I know that one day all of these tears of sadness and pain will be tears of complete joy when we are once again reunited as a family, and we will be surprised at how quickly that day comes. For this life is but a small moment in the eternities D&C 121 vs 7.
I just want to send my love and thanks to all that have been there to support me and my family during this time. I am so grateful to know that my family has been so well taken care of by not only family, friends, and the church, but also complete strangers. Thank you to all those who were a friend to Desireé. Who knew her and loved her. Who tried to love her, be her friend, and encourage her. I love and miss her every day, and know that many people love and miss her as well.
Love,
Hermana Bender
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