Mothers and Motherhood

May each of us treasure this truth: One cannot forget mother and remember God. One cannot remember mother and forget God. Why? Because these two sacred persons, God and mother, partners in creation, in love, in sacrifice, in service, are as one. - Thomas S. Monson

There is eternal influence and power in motherhood. - Julie B. Beck

Perhaps the reason we respond so universally to our mothers’ love is because it typifies the love of our Savior. - Thomas S. Monson

Being a full-time mother is one of the highest salaried jobs in my field, since the payment is pure love. ~Mildred B. Vermont

I remember my mother's prayers and they have always followed me. They have clung to me all my life. ~Abraham Lincoln

A mother is the truest friend we have, when trials heavy and sudden, fall upon us; when adversity takes the place of prosperity; when friends who rejoice with us in our sunshine desert us; when trouble thickens around us, still will she cling to us, and endeavor by her kind precepts and counsels to dissipate the clouds of darkness, and cause peace to return to our hearts. ~Washington Irving

Singing this song for you

I've been so many places in my life and time
I've sung a lot of songs and I've made some bad climbs
I've acted out my life in stages with ten thousand people watching
Oh, but we're alone now and I'm singing this song for you
I know your image of me is what I hope to be, I've treated you unkindly
Oh, but Darling can't you see that, there's no one more important to me
Baby, baby, can't you see through me, 'cause we're alone now
And I'm singing this song to you, you taught me precious secrets
Of a true love withholding nothing, you came out in front
When I was hiding, yeah, yeah, but now it's so much better
If my words don't quite come together, please listen to the melody
'Cause my love is in there somewhere hiding
I love you in a place where there is no space or time, I love you for my life
You are a friend of mine, and when my life is over
Remember, remember, remember when we were together
And we are alone now, and I was singing this song to you
I'm singing my song for you

I often imagine my life as a musical and there are so many songs that make sense in my life. This song is one that speaks to my soul. Music is something that keeps me sane.

Somewhere there is someone who understands what it means to hide but at the same time want to give completely. Somewhere there is someone who understands the song I am singing.

It tastes like purple...

Life is an adventure. Everyday we face new experiences that shape us and influence us. A new song on the radio voices what we are feeling; a person on the street reminds of what we are thankful for; a phone call from a friend we haven't talked to in months, perhaps years; going home a new way and discovering something you never noticed before. So many experiences that bombard this experience we call life. Sometimes they are just what we need, and sometimes they are the things that overwhelm us.

I've determined that I am someone who is highly influenced by the things around me. I want to take it all in and understand how it relates to me. I want to see the flowery fields of Tuscanny, the busy streets of NYC, the ruins of Egypt, and the dry outback of Australia. But yet I find myself stuck in the monotony of work, school and life and I ask myself, where is my adventure? I'm single, I'm a professional, I'm intelligent, I'm a pet owner, I'm a sister and a daughter and granddaughter.... a cousin and niece. I'm a friend, a teacher, a believer, a skeptic. But I find myself lacking something. And I ask the question, where is my adventure? When will washing dishes, doing the laundry, maintaining my car and home, paying bills, living each day to experience something new and being responsible be enough? Will we always want more than what we have? Can we truly be happy with who we are, or are we built to continually strive to become something more than we are?

I stretch, I feel, I lose sight of who I was and wonder who I will be. I fail, I conquer. I dream, I remain. I live my life one day at a time and hope that something will happen and maybe, just maybe, I'll know what it means to taste like purple.