Brief Life Sketch
"It has become widely known in the last 2 months that I have been diagnosed with peritoneal carcinomatosis which is terminal and very aggressive. It has certainly become evident to me that all we feel to know and say about what is important at the end of life is certainly true.
It is the faith and love of our family and friends that sustains, upholds, and gets us through. How grateful I am for the relationships and experiences over the last 58 (almost 59) years. It is that faith and certainty in Jesus Christ shared by those who have walked the road with us that sustains me on a journey such as this. Whether deeply religious or just coming to figure things out at your own pace, it makes no difference to me; I love each and every one of you.
I am grateful for the impact you have had on my life at whatever point in my life. It's been a blessing to know and have known the greatest people who were ever on this earth, and why this blessing came to me, I do not know, except I will forever be grateful for it.
To my posterity: Do your best to stay with the faith of our fathers; but if at some point you find you can't, please know that it will not affect the way I feel about you. Stay in the "Old Ship Zion'', there is constant warmth, friendship, and kinship there.
Thank you for the love and laughter, it's been unsurpassed. In our family when we have parted, we simply say “goon ta bish!"
Posted on Facebook on September 30, 2017 by Lisa
A Daughter Born of Zion
By Lisa Lyman Nielson
Here stand I, a daughter born of Zion.
It’s time I understood the heritage that’s left to me.
It is time I realize I need to decide who I am,
and act accordingly.
There are generations who have gone before me.
They are standing, watching, anxious, hoping I will not let them down,
Praying that I will have the wisdom to understand my part.
They know me.
They know about this time I live in.
They understand there has never been a time as hard as this to stand firm.
And to show to all those who know me,
that I KNOW WHO I AM.
I cannot afford to compromise
the way I dress,
the way I talk,
or the things I do.
I asked to be born to this heritage.
I was chosen to have it.
Even though the world has gone so far from the right, I must stay close.
I MUST!
I cannot justify my actions by what anyone else does,
or what is accepted by everyone.
I was born to know better.
I will have to face my ancestors someday soon.
How can I meet them ashamed?
Knowing that when the chain came down to me, my link was weak?
No excuses can be made,
they would know I had not the courage to do my part.
I cannot let that happen.
Today I came to understand, and tomorrow will never be the same.
They will be by me.
I am a daughter born of Zion.
Here I go!