Companion of Choice (Poem)

Companion of Choice

For forty-five years
I longed impatiently
For the opportunity
To serve another mission,
This time with the companion of my choice.

My first mission was good,
I worked hard.
But, I did not give my all.
Some companionships were effective
Some were not and the spirit lacked.

I longed for a second chance
To prove to me and
To prove to my Heavenly Father
That I could give my all,
That I could be a valiant servant.

My bride of forty-four years
Had already proven
That she is a valiant servant.
Through pain and anguish
She had raised eight wonderful children.


She had already served
In Relief Society, Young Women, Primary,
In cub scouts and blazer scouts,
In the temple and in the community
She didn’t need to prove anything.

Yet she came on a mission with me
Not knowing the language
In poor health, far from grandchildren
To give me one more opportunity to serve
This time with the companion of my choice.