There’s a song by Ritchie Mitch and the Coal Miners called Henson’s Dream. There are very few lyrics, and the mostly instrumental song is about mourning the loss of the idea we’ve created or built up of someone in our mind. Letting go is easier once we become aware that the idea we’ve fabricated about someone isn’t real.
Q and her friends often joke around about Henson’s perfect personality and angelic demeanor. But if you were to ask any of them to really give an honest description of their friend, they would all tell you, “He’s the real deal. Henson IS the dream.”
It’s true. The hype is real, and Henson is deserving of any good thing anyone says about him. He is wonderfully wholesome and it’s magnetic. And because the dream is real, it’s harder to let go.
Regarding Quincy, Henson changed her life. Q can pinpoint very specific times when Henson’s good example or courageous righteous decision inspired and emboldened her resolve to improve. And she did.
He is already an excellent missionary and teacher and we are so happy for him!
One cool experience from the weekend was that we invited Corbin’s friend to attend Henson’s farewell talk with us, and he came! Henson played his cello, and then spoke about listening to the Spirit, keeping covenants, and the blessing of choosing friends who are covenant keepers. Look at this group of kids.
Gracie D, ?, Kate K, Quincy, Piper T, Huz, Josh T, Kate W, Ella D, Savannah H, Elliot I, Corbin, Camden ?, Rhett H.
Corbin, Elder Bayles, Camden, Rhett H
I went over yesterday and gave both Bayles boys and Josh T haircuts. The last “go super short so I don’t have to deal with it in the MTC” haircut is always a funny one. I try to not let them look “chopped” and we discuss the noticeable change in attitude. There is a shift in focus and they adjust their mindset away from their own appearance and care more about doing whatever is necessary to keep their attention on serving the Lord. It’s great to witness over and over again.
Henson and Marcie sent me home from the farewell open house with Henson’s first cello for Sloane to take lessons with. It’s so tiny I could just explode over its cuteness.
Esme took a video of and when I took it out of the case and told Sloane the cello was for her she was so overwhelmed she cried. A lot. It was the most tender moment and I’m so thankful Esme thought to capture it on a recording. Getting a cello of her own is something she had looked forward to and asked about for a long time, and the reality far exceeded her expectations. She was overcome with happiness.
Sloane made an adorable card for Henson and he showed it to us when I cut his hair yesterday. It said, “Thank you so much! Henson you made my dream come true! Make a wish and maybe your dream will come true, too! Good luck Elder Bayles!”
Quincy, Luke C, and Ella D had their last “Mac n Cheese Monday” at the Bayles home last night and Braums run and then hung around helping Henson pack up. Charlesworth made a PowerPoint presentation for their last night, and Q had a card/letter and gave Henson a Japanese wave keychain like hers (shown below). She told him about the art in our house (photo below) and explained that it reminds us that we don’t have to meet every challenge in live with opposition. The Lord used the waves to carry the Jaredites to where they were needed. Quincy suggested he put the keychain on his backpack like a zipper pull and when he feels overwhelmed or up against something that seems daunting, chaotic, or too big, to look at the art, trade fear for faith, and just ride the wave!
Henson said, “I have to show you something!” And ran upstairs, returning with a notebook with the same wave print and he opened it up to show them he has been using this notebook for language study. He turned the pages to show her entries of lessons and every word and phrase he knows in Malay written inside.
He also got a shirt in Hawaii with the same print that is one of two cotton tees he had packed to take to Singapore. It’s a little thing but evidence that God is in all the details of our lives. Even little seeming coincidences bear witness that the Lord sees us. We knew this friend would be tough for Q to part ways with because of the impact he made on her life. Henson is her most favorite person ever. We all have so much gratitude for the presence of his good, virtuous example. Quincy has a sacred appreciation that this dream gets to be her real life and there have been so many good people in it. She mourns that it is changing but she’s ready to ride the wave.
Quincy’s mission papers were submitted to the first presidency today.
Another dream come true.
Side note: I took this pic right after Reese told Aaron and I she feels like she doesn’t look like either of us or her siblings. Corbin scoffed and said, “Please. You look like me! You’re just not as attractive 😉”. 
