Soji Larson
When 36-year old Soji Larson thinks back on her childhood, she pictures the bright colors of a desert sunset and the sounds of sprinklers watering the fields around her hometown of Grantsville, UT. Surrounded by family, cousins galore, and many great friends, growing up a Grantsville cowboy is still a great source of pride and a memory that she holds close to her heart. So close, in fact, that she and her childhood friend turned husband, Jay Larson, chose years ago that there was nowhere they’d rather raise their own family than in their very own hometown.
Jay and Soji have the perfect love story – they met in Mrs. Shrewbury’s kindergarten class, remained friends throughout high school—often walking the dirt roads of Hollywood in between sprinkler moves in the alfalfa fields, and then reconnected after Jay’s LDS mission by recreating their first date together – and the rest is history. Soji now enjoys spending her days as a stay-at-home mom to Josie, age 10, and Jack, age 6, as well as reading, decorating, and painting – a talent which she shares with Josie, who also has a flare for watercolor. Along with Jay and Jack’s shared love of rugby and soccer, they seem your picture-perfect all American family.
Yet on April 7, 2021, life took a sudden turn when Soji experienced a frightening loss of the ability to read, recall names, or find the words to speak. An MRI soon revealed that what first appeared to be a stroke, was actually an Oligodendroglioma brain tumor. After cherishing an unforgettable weekend a family, Soji faced surgery to remove as much of the tumor as possible, knowing that she may wake up on the other side with at least partial verbal, vision, and memory loss.
Yet, in what Soji describes as a miracle, the neurosurgeon was able to remove 50-60% of the tumor, and Soji woke up feeling indescribable gratitude as she realized she was able to both speak and recognize her husband. The miracles continued as Soji was approved for a new proton radiation therapy that was only developed in the last few years. Since then, Soji has undergone both radiation and chemotherapy – a painful regimen that will likely not be the last. As her cancer is not curable, it will need to be treated throughout her life.
Yet, cancer has taught Soji that she is stronger than she thinks she is and that she has more people in her corner than she ever imagined. Her husband Jay describes Soji as a beacon of light – a willing worker who is witty, smart, authentic, and seeks to connect and care for others. For someone who is always thinking of and reaching out to help others, it has been humbling for Soji to see her own family being showered with so much support, love and kindness in a way that seems to counteract the dark moments with equal amounts of light.
Through it all, Soji says her relationship with her Heavenly Father and Savior have been her greatest sources of peace. With Their help, she and husband Jay have felt comforted as they have come to embrace this trial as an opportunity for growth. They love the quote, “A smooth sea never made a skilled sailor,” and recognize that although there is a certain safety and comfort on the shore, embarking on the raging seas allows them to see glimpses of beauty on the other side of the storm that they never would have experienced otherwise. They take comfort in knowing that no sorrow is permanent and in knowing that are never, ever alone.
Jay and Soji have the perfect love story – they met in Mrs. Shrewbury’s kindergarten class, remained friends throughout high school—often walking the dirt roads of Hollywood in between sprinkler moves in the alfalfa fields, and then reconnected after Jay’s LDS mission by recreating their first date together – and the rest is history. Soji now enjoys spending her days as a stay-at-home mom to Josie, age 10, and Jack, age 6, as well as reading, decorating, and painting – a talent which she shares with Josie, who also has a flare for watercolor. Along with Jay and Jack’s shared love of rugby and soccer, they seem your picture-perfect all American family.
Yet on April 7, 2021, life took a sudden turn when Soji experienced a frightening loss of the ability to read, recall names, or find the words to speak. An MRI soon revealed that what first appeared to be a stroke, was actually an Oligodendroglioma brain tumor. After cherishing an unforgettable weekend a family, Soji faced surgery to remove as much of the tumor as possible, knowing that she may wake up on the other side with at least partial verbal, vision, and memory loss.
Yet, in what Soji describes as a miracle, the neurosurgeon was able to remove 50-60% of the tumor, and Soji woke up feeling indescribable gratitude as she realized she was able to both speak and recognize her husband. The miracles continued as Soji was approved for a new proton radiation therapy that was only developed in the last few years. Since then, Soji has undergone both radiation and chemotherapy – a painful regimen that will likely not be the last. As her cancer is not curable, it will need to be treated throughout her life.
Yet, cancer has taught Soji that she is stronger than she thinks she is and that she has more people in her corner than she ever imagined. Her husband Jay describes Soji as a beacon of light – a willing worker who is witty, smart, authentic, and seeks to connect and care for others. For someone who is always thinking of and reaching out to help others, it has been humbling for Soji to see her own family being showered with so much support, love and kindness in a way that seems to counteract the dark moments with equal amounts of light.
Through it all, Soji says her relationship with her Heavenly Father and Savior have been her greatest sources of peace. With Their help, she and husband Jay have felt comforted as they have come to embrace this trial as an opportunity for growth. They love the quote, “A smooth sea never made a skilled sailor,” and recognize that although there is a certain safety and comfort on the shore, embarking on the raging seas allows them to see glimpses of beauty on the other side of the storm that they never would have experienced otherwise. They take comfort in knowing that no sorrow is permanent and in knowing that are never, ever alone.
