Perspective: Heidi

I remember first meeting Heidi in the back of a chapel during a monthly mission transfer meeting. My companion and I were discretely showing off two baby rabbits we had rescued from a burrow in our backyard that had been attacked by a neighbors cat to anyone that would look at them. Heidi and the other new missionary were greeting each sister at the door with hugs, and acting like they had been there forever instead of only a matter of hours. She was calm, cool, and collected.

A few short months later I got to be companions on the mission with Heidi. She was unlike any former companion I had on the mission. During scripture study, she would draw pictures in her scriptures of what was being depicted. To help memorize the discussions during companionship study, she wanted to put them to song, so that it would be easier to memorize. She enjoyed nature and everything that life had to offer. She prayed like I have never heard anyone pray before.

We prayed every time we got in or out of the car. On one such occasion, I was driving, and we were late, so Heidi prayed as I drove. In the prayer she thanked God for the full moon, the wind that blew the fields of grass, the open roads, the other cars on the road…then I interrupted her prayer, “Are you praying with your eyes open?” “Yes.” “I have never done that before.” I said it kind of rudely, almost denouncing her prayer as valid. But at that moment, Heidi gave me a new perspective on how things could be, not what I thought they should be. She opened my eyes to a new way of thinking; a new was of treating others, a new way to enjoy life. I was a pretty narrow minded person (some people probably still think that I am). I enjoyed my time of service so much after that as she gave me a new perspective on life.

After that, we were great friends. Whenever I was having a bad day or just felt like saying hi, I would call her up wherever she was on the mission (totally not allowed in the mission, but I couldn’t help it; I was transferred so much in the mission, I had every apartments phone number in my planner so I always knew where she was not on accident, but on purpose). It was great. We had good little talks.

After the mission, and I was in Hawaii, I wrote her and asked if she wanted to be my roommate the next semester as their was an opening in my apartment. She surprisingly agreed. We had a great semester of fun with roommates, and out of the bounds of the mission, freer to do whatever we want. We had long talks about stars, life, boys, fun, and had adventures up the wazoo. I left after that semester to go home for the summer, and I thought I was going to finish school at ASU. She stayed for a couple more months in Hawaii. She loved it there. I loved it there. I loved it so much, I went back to school there and finished my degree. Heidi went on a longboat from London to New York City, amoungst other adventures as I schooled myself away; but we both kept in touch.

After I graduated, I moved home, tried to find a job, but I couldn’t. Heidi knew I wasn’t liking things at home, so she talked to her parents, her mom gave me a job in Utah, and told me I could live with them. I moved two weeks later. The day I moved there, Heidi got a boyfriend. Three months later they were engaged, and a month after that they were married. As she was dating her husband, I felt like I was loosing Heidi. She had found someone else to talk to, talk about life dreams, and spent time doing crazy adventures with him. For some reason I took her marriage personal. She never even told me about this guy before moving up to Utah. Had she told me, I probably would not have moved there. If I would have not moved I wonder if our relationship would be better or far more estranged than it has become. After she got married, I hardly saw or spoke to her at all. I stayed another three months after she got married, before moving back to Arizona.

To this day I wish I could still have the conversations we had on daily basis’ back in the day. I recently cleaned out a drawer of junk I thought was once priceless, but now mostly junk. However, in the drawer there was a priceless description list Heidi once wrote about me.
Michelle: By Heidi. ●calm expecting ●laughs to lighten mood ● very faithful friend ● gives you the benefit of the doubt ● is sassy when no ones looking (or at least that is what she thinks) ● is nurturing ● a free spirit ● singles people out…makes them feel special ● amazing teacher ● comes alive in the limelight ● child like (in all the good ways) ● humble ● has her feet planted on solid ground (just needs to look down) ● has a desire to help others ● puts others before herself ● smart ● your face lights up when you smile ● wants what is best for others before yourself ● someone’s “beautiful babe” ● has a calming presence about you ● you don’t snore ● you’re good at comebacks ● willing to try new things so others can ● my angel friend…you’re always there for me….even when I treat you like crap… ● has devoted friends ● is jolley but sensitive ● good listener

She gave me perspective that I never knew was possible, to believe my own way, to think and talk the way that I wanted to, and to be me instead of always being what other people want me to me. Perhaps that is why I am a bit reclusive now because I am afraid that others don’t like the real me. Some day I want to be just like Heidi.