Getting Left At Church

Erik Gray's Journals
#journalgems
A paper written for an 
English Assignment 
in middle school

Erik - 8th grade- Middle school

GETTING LEFT AT THE CHURCH

The bright sun, the clear blue sky, and cool spring air couldn't have made for a more beautiful Sunday afternoon.  It seemed impossible with the tornado-like winds of Cedar City for such a perfect day as this!  Little did I know the events of what happened that day were far from perfect, and I wouldn't remember this day so well because of the weather, but because of what happened.

Our church block meeting had just ended, and as the family was walking to the car, I suddenly had the urge that everyone has a couple times a day.  I specifically got my mom's attention and told her to wait while I ran inside to go to the bathroom.

After I had finished my business, I pushed the door open to return to where the car was.  As I looked to where we had parked, I saw to my ultimate horror, our car and the Gray family- minus one person- driving right out of the parking lot! As frantic as I was, I ran- fully sprint- after my family, hoping I could catch up.  I didn't ever take into account that I could just find a ride home with someone else.

I ran as fast as my little legs would carry me, going out the parking lot, past the vet clinic, and as I came to the main road, Highway 56, I still followed, hoping by some miracle I would be able to catch up to a now 55 miles an hour car zooming down the road.  I don't know why I kept running, but I did!  And it's a good thing, too, because my family had pulled over to pick up our neighbor.  Austin had gotten left by both his parents (because they each thought the other had him) and had decided to walk home.  As he was climbing into the back seat, I was still booking it, yelling "Wait!  Wait! Don't leave me!"  I frantically hit the back window to get their attention before the car sped off again, while I went on my way into the side door.  My family, surprised, astonished, and somewhat amused, started laughing about how they had forgotten me, while I was relieved and also crying about getting left behind.  From that time forward, my parents were sure to check for everyone in the car before taking off, so they wouldn't forget a child again.

Erik -Age 6, when he got left at church - accidentally.

Gotta Milk It!

Erik Gray's journals

#journalgems

written in December 2016

AUGUST: JUST MOVED BACK HOME FROM LOGAN TO CEDAR

Okay. So August 1^st… easy enough day to remember. I had my port surgery that morning, all my stuff was packed in LaFawnDuh the Honda. Dad drove me home in the truck while Mom drove my car with all my stuff. We stopped at the Payson Temple to get up for a minute and stretch on our way home. But then we got home. And the best part about this cancer stuff and my situation is that I didn’t have to unpack any of my stuff. ;) Hehehe I just sat down and watched them unload. The week before I had told Jenna D and Isabel T about this and that my parents would be unloading everything, and they told me to milk it and film it. So I did. I filmed them bringing in a box and I said, “Right there, packmule.” GOTTA MILK IT. WHO WOULD I BE IF I DIDN’T MILK THE CANCER CARD OR HAVE SOME FUN ALONG THE WAY!?!? Not Erik, for sure. ;) Hehehe. But I really really did appreciate having them there. That’s what I’ve noticed since day one of cancer seven years ago…. FAMILY IS EVERYTHING and I would be so lost or suck or sad or not… without my family.

It's in the past

Erik Gray's Journals
#journalgems
Tuesday, August 19th, 2014
Temple Service Mission

P-day! I got all my laundry done, my room clean (for the most part), and even helped watch Camden and Easton this morning. Talk about a busy day. I know that I'm not ready for kids right now. It's too exhausting. 

I listened to a podcast today, where William Joseph was interviewed.  He is a really amazing piano player.  In part of the interview he talked about being offered the chance to write a music score for part of a show.  It didn't name what the show was.  He watched one of the aired episodes and saw that it was not a good show at all.  He declined the offer.  

That only made me think of the fact that I've watched 'How I Met Your Mother'.  It's funny, but it is so bad.  I love the story line. I constantly bragged about it.  I shouldn't have.  I shouldn't have been so public about a show that is so against my morals.  If I was perfect, I would have never watched that entire series anyway.  But am I perfect? No. No one on this earth is, except Christ.  thankfully, the atonement is really real. I can repent and make up for my sins. Including allowing an environment to stay where spirit is not welcome.  It's in the past.  The only thing I can do is move forward, from any sin.  How great is this gospel?!