Taking selfie-style photos with my girlies is common for us.
I feel grateful that I have gained the courage to recapture memories
with my children without fear or hesitation.
There was a time when I would look at photographs of myself before my accident,
and an overwhelming sense of sadness would consume me,
and I would cry.
Although I don't cry as often anymore,
I had a moment of weakness last night and broke down a little.
It happens.
My life just changed so abruptly.
I often feel like my accident was like a dear friend who died suddenly.
I've used this analogy before, but so much just died on August 16, 2008.
I miss the day-to-day, I miss my life in AZ,
I miss my little children, I miss my schedule,
the way my house smelled or even watering the plants on my porch
at exactly 12:35, right before Claire's school bus pulled up to
the Lazona house and dropped her off from Kindergarten.
I miss hearing Mr. Nielson drive his motorcycle
down our street on his way home from work,
I miss teaching yoga, and I miss Lindsay Jones.
But whether the accident happened or not, we were bound to grow and change.
It was just faster and harder than usual, which sometimes makes me sad.
Today, I am addressing the students at BYUI.
I hope my message of the healing power of Christ and seeing the good in change
even when it's hard, will come across in my thoughts.
I want them to know they have much potential, strength, and passion.
And that can carry them far on the most difficult days-
as it has for me in my darkest hours.
