This weekend Brent and I drove up to Idaho Falls for my high school's 45th reunion.  I have never been to a reunion.  I deeply hoped that a few of my dearest childhood friends would be there.  I had not seen two childhood friends since they left on their missions for the LDS Church.  Other friends I had lost track of.  Seeing all of them again was one of the ten best days of my life.   
     As I laid in bed that night at my brother's house, I reflected on my life.    My life is an accumulation of so my small things.  I thought of the beautiful Snake River Valley I had grown up in.  My home in some ways was dysfunctional.  But I was feed, clothed and taken on endless camping and boating trips.  I knew I was safe their.  My parents made endless sacrifices for me.   
     I know that I am eternally indebted to the Dunkley Twins who took me under their wing in high school. I will never forget the primary lesson Nelda Empey presented to me on the Savior when I was nine years old.  I think of Vela Orme's Sunday School lesson on the Sacrament every time I partake of the Sacrament.  I can still hear the story Betty Davis told me in a Young Women's lesson about learning to communicate.  
     And my best friend, Linda Stosich.  We were Mutt and Jeff.  She was the scholar and I did not realize until I had Miss Garland my junior year in high school, that I could actually get a B in something.  Steve, Dave and Roger.  We learned how to walk together.  Pam, Susan, Marilyn and Kaylynn with whom I shared my dreams and sorrows.  Ken Stosich dragged me around the Teton's backpacking. (Much to my total delight!)  Afton and Dick Wood let me sleep in the front seat of their car when there was a thunderstorm at night at girl's camp.  (Thunder and lightning still terrifies me.)  Reconnecting with Sheryl after so many years.  I could fill pages.  
    I drove back to Salt Lake Saturday with a profound sense of gratitude for all of the people in that valley who made a difference in my life.  Little pebbles of kindness, love and tolerance that made a huge difference in my life.
    We make a difference everyday in someone's life. Maybe it is small.  But it will have an accumulative effect in someone's life.  My vow is to everyday get up and keep trying to be more pleasant, more forgiving, to smile, say a kind word, to be decent, hold my temper and not be grumpy.  I hope you will do this as well.  
    The funny part is, it will make a positive difference in our lives as well.