Grateful Endings

Arriving late to school one morning, Pres Summerhays saw a chalkboard eraser lying on the ground outside the school and decided to try and throw it through an open second story window. His aim was good enough to hit Ott Romney, the East High football coach, right between the eyes. The coach signed him up for football. In 1929, as a junior at the University of Utah, Pres was an acknowledged leader on the team. A “triple threat” in the backfield, Pres could throw, kick and run and led the Utes to the Rocky Mountain Conference Championship while also earning All Conference and All American honorable mention distinctions for himself.

There were high expectations for the 1930 season when during practice Pres suffered a broken bone just above his left ankle that placed him on the sidelines for most of his senior season.  Being interviewed from his hospital bed, Pres responded to questions about the team and himself.  

“I am sure that my injury will not mean the doom of championships at Utah as so many football critics fear…As for me, it is hard to pass out of the game during my last year, but the breaks of football can be bad as well as good.  I have had my share of both.” (Utah Chronicle, October 1930). As his football career ended unexpectedly, he maintained gratitude for all he had been able to experience.
 
“Everyone’s situation is different, and the details of each life are unique. Nevertheless, I have learned that there is something that would take away the bitterness that may come into our lives. There is one thing we can do to make life sweeter, more joyful, even glorious. We can be grateful!…Being grateful in times of distress does not mean that we are pleased with our circumstances. It does mean that through the eyes of faith we look beyond our present-day challenges…The Lord has given us His promise that those “who [receive] all things with thankfulness shall be made glorious; and the things of this earth shall be added unto [them], even an hundred fold, yea, more.” (President Dieter F. Uchtdorf, April 2014).