My Men

There are eight men in my everyday life that I enjoy being with.

My husband of almost 40 years is my best friend and daily companion as I walk the streets of life. I enjoy sharing with him and being with him. He just retired and we are having a great time learning how to spend our twilight years on a day to day basis.

I have a wonderful father who I admire and adore. He is tall and handsome and loves my mother. He is a steady force in my life who thinks I chose well when I decided to make my life's work that of being a wife and mother. Thank you, Daddy.

I gave birth to three beautiful baby boys who have grown into amazing men. They love their wives and children. They try to make right choices. They steadily work in their chosen professions to provide for their families. I watch them change diapers and help in the kitchen to lighten the load of their wives who have chosen to be full time homemakers. When I visit their homes I feel welcome and happy.

I have three sons in my life that my daughters chose to marry. These fine men treat my daughters with respect and kindness. They encourage my daughters to pursue opportunities to express their talents at home and with friends. They are examples of spiritual steadiness who lead their families in a prayerful attitude. They are men who treat me with gentleness. They are men to be admired.

All of these men, together, help me be who I am. I am surrounded by the strength of truth. These eight stand for what is right, and do not sway, no matter how strong the storm that is raging around them. They protect the women and children in their lives with fierce commitment of love and loyalty.

I watch as they gently guide their children to make choices that strengthen the bonds that help their families stay strong. These are men who are approachable when a discussion needs to happen, they can see the goal we are striving for and lead their families steadily onward.

You may ask how I am lucky enough to have so many wonderful men in my life. It may seem impossible to some to find even one great man, in this day and age, to be with. I have watched them closely, and have discovered that they work hard to be strong and steady yet, kind and gentle. They are men who can be found pouring over the scriptures for answers to their questions. They can be found on their knees asking for guidance when faced with a troubling issue. They can be heard quietly talking, in the dark of night, to their sweet wives, as they lay side by side dreaming and planning together.

These men are not perfect. They occasionally make mistakes, become frustrated and short tempered (like we all do). They can become discouraged and downhearted, every now and then, as well. But, they are quick to recognize then they are wrong and make amends to keep things going along as smooth as possible. They respond well to a kind word of encouragement from those they love and quickly take up the task again of leading in righteousness. These things speak volumes to me of the inner strength that makes them who they are.

I have heard it said that A MAN NEVER STANDS TALLER THAN WHEN HE IS ON HIS KNEES IN PRAYER

I am thankful to have eight tall and handsome men in my life. Thank you for your kindness to me, my daughters and my grandchildren. Thank you for your guidance and strength during a storm. Thank you for your love. Thank you for being who you are.

I have eight men in my everyday life that I enjoy being with. I am loved. I am a lucky girl.

Mother

Last week Jared Dean spoke at church on home and family. I really enjoyed his talk and have thought about it a lot. When he was speaking about the role of a mother in the home he shared these thoughts:

Most of a mother's time should be spent with her children
A mothers greatest teaching will be to teach her children about God
Teach the children that home is a good place to be
Make sure your home is warm and loving so the children want to be there

I may not have always had the tidiest of homes, but I have strived for a home that reflected the love I feel for my husband, family and God. Clean enough to be healthy yet cluttered enough to be fun. Keeping the balance just right is a trick I am still trying to get right. You know the balance is good enough when you have been away for a while then come back and it feels so good to be home.

REWARDS

My grandson paid me a back door compliment the other day.

He told me "Grandma, I sure like you a whole lot better at your house!!"

His mother clarifies the statement meaning that he misses living close enough to come over more often. But as I thought about what he said, he was right,. I like to be the fun grandma.

I did the responsible thing when my kids were young. They ate their vegetables, were encouraged to finish their homework. Please and thank you were common reminders out of my mouth. Bedtime was a routine and a schedule for practicing was set. I did those tasks with my children so they would be healthy, happy and respectful.

Now I am the grandma. If the kids do not want to eat all of their vegetables at grandma's house it is still okay to have ice cream for dessert. If the bell tolls 9pm and we are still awake watching a movie or reading a book it is not panic time. That is my reward for surviving the teenage years with my own children.

The Role we Play

I have spent a lot of time lately in my children's homes. Sometimes I have been the main caregiver for my grandchildren as their parents have been away or sick. Last summer we took a trip with our 8 year old grandchildren that was awesome. Sometimes my grandkids need the respite that grandma's home offers. I have enjoyed these experiences very much. Each one has given me insight and opportunities to get to know the grandchildren better.

As the grandchildren are growing older I watch my children parent. I am amazed at their patience, love and creativity when they deal with situations as they arise. I heard a talk recently that spoke of the role each person in a family fills. Basically the father provides and protects while mother nurtures and teaches. What then is the child's role?? To be obedient and learn. Too bad they thought their role was to laugh and play. Maybe we can combine the two.

Pure Love

Last week my husband and I were discussing the job we did in raising our 6 children from babies to where they are now. We mentioned a few things we wish we could go back and enjoy more, or do better, but, the one thing I try to remember is that I did the best I could. I was not a perfect mother then or now, but I tried to teach my children to be kind, loving and responsible, and I think they are.

I remember President Gordon B. Hinckley saying at a conference I attended "you will make mistakes as parents. But, if mother loves father and father loves mother and together they love the children everything will turn out alright." My children were still young when I heard that statement and it has stuck with me through the years. I think I have been holding it to President Hinckley as a promise.

This I know, I love my husband and I know he loves me. We love our children and now in-laws and grand children very much. If love can heal all, I am giving it my everything.

I heard this statement at church last week:

Parents should be examples of kindness and pure love.

As I go through life I am still learning what pure love is. But, the more I learn the more I try. I hope prayer is also an equalizer in this formula for alrightness. Just remember kids, I'm doing my best.

Team Work

Last week at church a young father gave a talk that has stuck with me and I would like to share a few insights I gained.

Family equals team work. To be part of a team everyone must do their part.

T=Temper your anger
E= (keep an) Eternal perspective
A= Accountability for our own role
M=Mutual love and respect

When everyone is playing fair the game is so much more fun

A Mothers Love

Years ago I was very sick so the doctor put me in the hospital. My parents were supposed to come visit me and my family but mom thought it would be too difficult since I was in the hospital. I had 6 small children from 3 to 13 years of age. I remember lying in the hospital, half out of it, worrying about my family and hoping the doctors would figure out what was wrong with me so I could go home. All of a sudden the door to my room opened and in walked my mom and dad. I had this overwhelming feeling of--"it's okay, I can be sick now, Mom is here, she will take care of everything".

I have learned over the years that even though you may at times think your mom is crazy or out of it and does not have a clue, there is no one who can replace your very own mother. The Lord sends the right children to the best mother for each child. Together you will have opportunities to grow and learn. No one will love you more or understand you better than your mother. Nobody prays for your success more than your mother.

As I have aged I realize that the conflicts I had with my mom were times when I pushed harder than I should or when I did not realize what was at stake. I am thankful for my mothers unconditional love and encouragement. I am thankful that even though I was often ugly towards her she never gave up on me.

Part of a mother's privilege is to love and care for her children whether they are babies, teenagers or parents themselves.

I am thankful for a loving mother.

I am thankful for the privilege of being a mother.