The Item

I must come clean.

There is a certain item that has been kept in our church kitchen closet for longer than I have been alive, I bet. At least for longer than I have been married.

When our church building was closed down for earthquake remodeling many things went into storage, including The Item. Then later, when we found out that our building was not to be renovated but sold instead, my husband, myself and a good (and adventurous) friend, found a way into the building to rescue a few things that needed to be saved, including The Item.

Right around that time I was called to be the Relief Society President, a calling I accepted and did my best to fulfill, however imperfectly. Within the first six months the covid 19 pandemic hit, churches were shut down, and our ward family was moved to yet another building. For safekeeping, I moved The Item to my attic. I didn't want it to get lost in the shuffle. I confessed this to the bishop AND the stake president, both of whom told me to just keep it because it wasn't getting used. But I felt too guilty and when we got permanently settled I eventually returned The Item to our ward closet. 

Where it sat. Unused. For years. But I thought about it. And mentioned it again to the Stake President who told me again just to take it home and keep it safe and loved for heaven's sake. So I did. 

And I love it. And still feel slightly guilty. If anyone asks about it I'll not lie. But in the meantime I feel happy every time I look at it.