.....eternal bonds

There have been many instances in which I can express gratitude for loving parents and siblings. One recent experience that comes to mind happened not more than a couple days ago when I had an interest in expressing love to my father. I took the time to sit down with him and tell him how grateful I have been that he has always been there for me, for the simple sacrifices he has made for me, and more especially for the large ones. As I spoke to him, my eyes became moist as tender feelings of gratitude filled my heart.
We shared a tearful moment and then my father took the time to tell me of an experience he had when he was first called to be stake president at BYU. As he told of this experience, I couldnt help but feel the depth of the man I call my father. What a choice blessing it is to have eternal relationships that can extend beyond this life. Relationships where we can grow together in righteousness; where ties can deepen and expand. I imagine on a very small level that Heavenly Father's love for each of us has become such in a similar way. He has known us for an infinite amount of time prior to our arrival in this earthly probation in which he has seen our spiritual progress and has had the time for his eternally abounding love to flourish on part of each of us. This small realization could not have come but by having these meaningful learning experiences daily fulfilling my life here in this temporary existence.