{CaRmeL}

So to celebrate our final week-end of the summer, we decided to have a camp out in our backyard. This adventure included putting up the tent, roasting marshmallows and reading the story of King Benjamin in the Book of Mormon. After bringing out all of our bedding and getting settled in the tent, we realized that having Doc (our dog) back there might be a little tricky. We had to watch him carefully to make sure that he did not find something to play with that was not intended to be a toy for him. Other then a small hole in a sleeping bag, we fared pretty well.
We woke up early the next morning to get ready for a primary activity. While we were at the activity, Luke was hard at work in the backyard. He was attempting to replace some old cement. As he was working, Doc got into the tent and found Kelsee's little teddy bear Carmel. Before Luke had a chance to stop Doc, he had managed to rip Carmel's head off and tear him half apart. Carmel was headless and very, very dirty when Luke discovered him. Luke called me on the phone to tell me the bad news and to give me time to prepare for the conversation that I would need to have with Kelsee. I quickly informed him that he needed to have the conversation with her because he was witness to the event.
Carmel was Kelsee's forever friend. She received Carmel from Grandma and Grandpa Catenzaro when she was an infant. She has carried Carmel around her entire life. Picture after picture captured their love and adventures. Carmel was in Kelsee's backpack the first day of Kindergarten, he brought comfort during visits to the doctor, he has come on every vacation and even trips to the grocery store. Carmel was dearly loved!
After arriving home from the activity, Kelsee immediately started looking for Carmel. I tried to distract her hoping Luke would make it home soon from his errand, but she continued looking for her favorite stuffed animal friend. Finally, she asked me to join the search. I then realized that I was going to be the 'bearer' of bad news. As I started to tell her, tears filled her eyes. As the story continued, she buried her head in my chest and sobbed. I could not be strong any longer and I too began to weep. We talked about her sadness and finally about how important it was to forgive Doc. At the end of our conversation, Daddy came home and retrieved Carmel from the garbage. The sight of poor Carmel made it a reality and we realized that we would need to move on without him. Daddy promised a new stuffed animal and the day proceeded smoothly. I went off to work Saturday evening and arrived back home late Saturday night to a quiet house and sleeping children.
I awoke this morning to Kelsee saying, "Carmel is BACK!" She ran into my room and pounced on my bed holding Carmel in her hands. I was so surprised and encouraged her to go find Daddy! Luke was getting ready to leave to a farewell, and Kelsee ran downstairs and thanked her Daddy with lots of hugs and kisses. Then she ran back up to her room and told all her other stuffed animals that Carmel was back. I laid there in my bed thinking of my sweet husband staying up half the night cleaning and restitching Carmel and then quietly tucking him safely under his sleeping daughter's arm. Apparently hearing his daughter cry herself to sleep was too much for him to 'bear'. Who knew that it would be possible to wash, stuff and stitch up Carmel again? The thought never crossed my mind. Carmel was too torn and broken! I like to envision my sweet husband washing Carmel, stuffing him and then sewing him up ever so carefully. HE looked as good as new. I realized at that moment as I laid in bed that my daughter will never forget her Daddy for that amazing act of love. No matter where Kelsee goes, or what choices she makes she will always know that her Daddy loves her and will always be there to wipe away her tears and mend her broken heart.
As I have pondered this experience today, I have thought a lot about my Savior. I have ran through the events leading up to the Savior's death and resurrection. I have pondered on the suffering and sorrow that He experienced in His short ministry. And I have marveled at his love for me that He willingly provided a way for my torn and broken heart to be healed. Providing a way for ME to be whole again, no matter how broken I am. I will be eternally grateful for his selfless act, and for a husband who is always trying to be like Him.