Thank You, Sister Perry, for all you have done to musically enrich all of us through the years! May the Lord continue to bless you for your selfless service and know of our love for you!
Chuck CarlstonMarch 28, 2019
My wife and I arrived in São Paulo, Brazil to serve an 18-month mission for the Church last November. Everything seemed so different, my wife felt like she had awakened in a foreign land and lost her moorings. Then, the first Sunday we heard the Brazilian Primary children sing your ``A Child´s Prayer´´ with captivating enthusiasm. Tears came to our eyes and we felt at home in this foreign land! I had sung that with the Wasatch Chorale before, but it took on deeper meaning that Sunday. I´m sorry I didn´t think to record it on my phone and text it to you. Thank you for your gift of music that now blesses the country of Brazil.
Susan L HendrixMarch 26, 2019
Thank you for a lovely article and for all the many years of giving to the people of the world. Your music has uplifted us all. For the last 15 years my friend Liz Zentner and I, attended every Education Week class you were in, whether it was you and your husband, you and Marvin Goldstein or any others you were involved in. We loved every one of them, even if we heard some things more than once. Every year they seemed brand new to us and we laughed and wept and sang with you. I live in Indian Hills and often I walked around the temple in the mornings and saw you walking too. I didn't want to impose on your time so I always said hello and let you walk on by, but in my heart I wanted to tell you how much you meant to me, a stranger, but one who loved and admired you. How happy I am that I can tell you that now, in the comments of your article. Thank you, Thank you, Thank you!!!
bluewaterMarch 26, 2019
This is so great. Thank you Sister Perry.
Jeanne M BrownMarch 24, 2019
Sister Perry- Thank you for your article. My husband Doyle, who grew up in Vale and Ontario passed from cancer 3/4 of the way through our third mission in the Pacific Area. It has been three years and not a day goes by that I do not miss him. I remember how delighted he was to see you when we were in Japan. The transition is difficult but with the help of family and friends, it is possible. May the Lord bless you with comfort and direction. You will yet again sing, "It is Well with My Soul!"
SUSAN DOHMMarch 23, 2019
I also lost my husband. I completely understand what you are saying. We did everything together and now I have had to learn how to be single and do most everything by my self. I am very grateful for family, the church and good friends. Thank you Heavenly Father.
D. Lynn SorensonMarch 23, 2019
Inspiring words for Meridian readers. You are always wonderful!
Maria LundMarch 22, 2019
Jan, I received surprising and hard news today about Mike's health. Most of the family does not know yet, and I have spent the afternoon pondering how/what lies ahead in the near future. This was good timing to for me. Thanks, friend, Maria
Linda SpoonerMarch 21, 2019
I too have become a widow last year. I thank my heavenly Father for my ward family. They have been there to help in every way. I am in that fog right now. We were married 47 years and did everything together. I don't know where my life will lead me now. Thank you for this article and your words. I kind of thought I was alone in this. To know that you feel as I do was comforting. Thank you so much.
DianeMarch 21, 2019
Thank you for sharing your feelings. Even though I became a widow under different circumstances—I was 46 and had 5 dependent children and 2 newlywed children—I could relate to so much of what you said. It takes time to figure out who you are as a single person, and to grieve as much as you need to. But in the end, serving and staying busy help, and knowing our Lord walks closely with us gives us strength to go on.
Susanne DavidsonMarch 21, 2019
I, too, have loved to read this story as I lost my husband over 15 years ago but this many years ago is as hard now as it was then. I miss him more than words can ever tell and especially in times of sickness, I’ll health. I am so blessed to have three wonderful children and 10 grandchildren but they have their own lives to lead which I understand. It is so lonely to be a widow and in spite of a “ ward family” who we associate with, times are very lonely.. I know that being busy is the answer to many lonely hours so that is what I have tried to do.
I admire Janice Kapp Perry so much with her wonderful talents and music and although each of us have different talents, I have found great solace in family history, in service, in my church callings, in writing my life history and trying to be a friend to those around me. Phone calls, messaging, and emails are very much a part of my life! And add to this list my love of the Scriptures, devotional and general conferences, somehow one can get through the lonely days!,
BruceMarch 21, 2019
Thank you for this article! My father says that he was totally lost at first and literally had to discover a new life. But he did, and it was a good life until he too was called home.
Marie ButcherMarch 21, 2019
Thank you for sharing your very real experience. Death and separation are difficult for all of us. Thank you for the great example of loving and living life after the "storm". It touched me deeply.
Beverly MowerMarch 21, 2019
Sister Perry thank you for sharing your thoughts and journey. Not a journey that is easy. I loved your ending “after the manner of happiness”. It’s part of enduring to the end. Serving others both those here and those on the other side of the veil help our journey improve.
Elaine MathewsMarch 21, 2019
Thank you for sharing your experience and feelings. It’s been so reassuring to know that I’m not alone in what I’m going through... as I read your article I realised I’ve been going through the motions of being busy but not actually accepting my new status as a widow.. maybe it just felt too hard! I also felt guilty that I had moments of happiness and being immersed in life. When I read your thoughts on your husband being busy too, it connected with my feeling we were both working and walking on the other side of a fence, still talking to each other and moving forward... I needed to do the moving forward bit and you have helped me see that more fully. I’m also making quilts for all my grandkids - and there’s 26 of them!! I’d love to attend the BYU widows and widowers group just one time - hope it’s international! Bless you as you inspire so many in spite of and because of the paths you are walking.
Comments | Return to Story
Gail GrovesMay 13, 2019
Thank You, Sister Perry, for all you have done to musically enrich all of us through the years! May the Lord continue to bless you for your selfless service and know of our love for you!
Chuck CarlstonMarch 28, 2019
My wife and I arrived in São Paulo, Brazil to serve an 18-month mission for the Church last November. Everything seemed so different, my wife felt like she had awakened in a foreign land and lost her moorings. Then, the first Sunday we heard the Brazilian Primary children sing your ``A Child´s Prayer´´ with captivating enthusiasm. Tears came to our eyes and we felt at home in this foreign land! I had sung that with the Wasatch Chorale before, but it took on deeper meaning that Sunday. I´m sorry I didn´t think to record it on my phone and text it to you. Thank you for your gift of music that now blesses the country of Brazil.
Susan L HendrixMarch 26, 2019
Thank you for a lovely article and for all the many years of giving to the people of the world. Your music has uplifted us all. For the last 15 years my friend Liz Zentner and I, attended every Education Week class you were in, whether it was you and your husband, you and Marvin Goldstein or any others you were involved in. We loved every one of them, even if we heard some things more than once. Every year they seemed brand new to us and we laughed and wept and sang with you. I live in Indian Hills and often I walked around the temple in the mornings and saw you walking too. I didn't want to impose on your time so I always said hello and let you walk on by, but in my heart I wanted to tell you how much you meant to me, a stranger, but one who loved and admired you. How happy I am that I can tell you that now, in the comments of your article. Thank you, Thank you, Thank you!!!
bluewaterMarch 26, 2019
This is so great. Thank you Sister Perry.
Jeanne M BrownMarch 24, 2019
Sister Perry- Thank you for your article. My husband Doyle, who grew up in Vale and Ontario passed from cancer 3/4 of the way through our third mission in the Pacific Area. It has been three years and not a day goes by that I do not miss him. I remember how delighted he was to see you when we were in Japan. The transition is difficult but with the help of family and friends, it is possible. May the Lord bless you with comfort and direction. You will yet again sing, "It is Well with My Soul!"
SUSAN DOHMMarch 23, 2019
I also lost my husband. I completely understand what you are saying. We did everything together and now I have had to learn how to be single and do most everything by my self. I am very grateful for family, the church and good friends. Thank you Heavenly Father.
D. Lynn SorensonMarch 23, 2019
Inspiring words for Meridian readers. You are always wonderful!
Maria LundMarch 22, 2019
Jan, I received surprising and hard news today about Mike's health. Most of the family does not know yet, and I have spent the afternoon pondering how/what lies ahead in the near future. This was good timing to for me. Thanks, friend, Maria
Linda SpoonerMarch 21, 2019
I too have become a widow last year. I thank my heavenly Father for my ward family. They have been there to help in every way. I am in that fog right now. We were married 47 years and did everything together. I don't know where my life will lead me now. Thank you for this article and your words. I kind of thought I was alone in this. To know that you feel as I do was comforting. Thank you so much.
DianeMarch 21, 2019
Thank you for sharing your feelings. Even though I became a widow under different circumstances—I was 46 and had 5 dependent children and 2 newlywed children—I could relate to so much of what you said. It takes time to figure out who you are as a single person, and to grieve as much as you need to. But in the end, serving and staying busy help, and knowing our Lord walks closely with us gives us strength to go on.
Susanne DavidsonMarch 21, 2019
I, too, have loved to read this story as I lost my husband over 15 years ago but this many years ago is as hard now as it was then. I miss him more than words can ever tell and especially in times of sickness, I’ll health. I am so blessed to have three wonderful children and 10 grandchildren but they have their own lives to lead which I understand. It is so lonely to be a widow and in spite of a “ ward family” who we associate with, times are very lonely.. I know that being busy is the answer to many lonely hours so that is what I have tried to do. I admire Janice Kapp Perry so much with her wonderful talents and music and although each of us have different talents, I have found great solace in family history, in service, in my church callings, in writing my life history and trying to be a friend to those around me. Phone calls, messaging, and emails are very much a part of my life! And add to this list my love of the Scriptures, devotional and general conferences, somehow one can get through the lonely days!,
BruceMarch 21, 2019
Thank you for this article! My father says that he was totally lost at first and literally had to discover a new life. But he did, and it was a good life until he too was called home.
Marie ButcherMarch 21, 2019
Thank you for sharing your very real experience. Death and separation are difficult for all of us. Thank you for the great example of loving and living life after the "storm". It touched me deeply.
Beverly MowerMarch 21, 2019
Sister Perry thank you for sharing your thoughts and journey. Not a journey that is easy. I loved your ending “after the manner of happiness”. It’s part of enduring to the end. Serving others both those here and those on the other side of the veil help our journey improve.
Elaine MathewsMarch 21, 2019
Thank you for sharing your experience and feelings. It’s been so reassuring to know that I’m not alone in what I’m going through... as I read your article I realised I’ve been going through the motions of being busy but not actually accepting my new status as a widow.. maybe it just felt too hard! I also felt guilty that I had moments of happiness and being immersed in life. When I read your thoughts on your husband being busy too, it connected with my feeling we were both working and walking on the other side of a fence, still talking to each other and moving forward... I needed to do the moving forward bit and you have helped me see that more fully. I’m also making quilts for all my grandkids - and there’s 26 of them!! I’d love to attend the BYU widows and widowers group just one time - hope it’s international! Bless you as you inspire so many in spite of and because of the paths you are walking.
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