A Mother's Musings

I love my children so much and I am so proud of them. Sometimes, when I think about that, I will romanticize what they are like and unless I am with them for any length of time, I forget that like myself and everyone else, they have shortcomings and we don't always get along and they hurt my feelings or one another's feelings. I know that those things happen in all families, but it always makes me feel bad when I see it happen in mine.

Each of my children has very different personalities from the next. Yet, they also all have some similar qualities, most of which are very good. Of course, they also have annoying qualities and I fear that in a family setting we tend to focus too often on the negative instead of the positive. Sometimes we are less forgiving than we should be. Sometimes we are too judgemental. Sometimes we take one another for granted a little too much. Sometimes we forget to speak kindly and to express our gratitude for one another.

I want to list some of the really good things about my kids, and I hope if they are reading this, they will try to remember these good things about one another as well, and think of some of the good things you know about each other and experiences you have had as siblings that remind you how grateful you are to have the family that you have.

• It makes my heart glad to know that my kids will be there for one another when they need each other. When Lindsey needed something when Aaron was in Provo, he was there to help her. She introduced him to women.:)


• When Alicia was deathly ill, Lindsey took off work and took her to the doctor and got her meds and checked on her almost daily.


• Alicia's employers always love her because she is such a hard worker, with integrity. I have notice that about all of my children. I am really proud that they all have great work ethics.


• All of my children have testimonies of the gospel of Jesus Christ. Aaron and Tyler served honorable missions and are temple worthy. Lindsey goes to the temple to do baptisms as often as she can. Alicia loves to see the temple, too. Now Maddy has begun to be able to go to the temple to do baptisms.


• Jacob wants to stand up in testimony meeting and give his testimony, he just hasn't overcome his shyness yet.


• I have watched all of them do acts of service for others without being prodded by me.


• It does my heart good to see the glow Tyler gets about him when he is filled with the Spirit.


• Aaron, for all of his tough bravado, can be so kind and sensitive.


• Lindsey and Alicia can be very introspective. They work on their spiritual qualities in order to improve themselves.


• Madalynn has a generous spirit and loves us all so much.


• Like his dad, Jacob is meticulous and careful about his work.

It is funny how great this exercise is because as I think and list these qualities, I am filled with gratitude for each member of my family and more and more good feelings fill my heart for them and it is easier and easier to think of all of the things that make them each so special to me, their dad and to our family as a whole. I challenge you to try it. Especially if someone is bugging you, try making a list of all of their great qualities and see if your attitude doesn't change towards them. Then, when you forgive the annoying qualities, your relationship with them will improve at an amazing rate. I am not saying that they have been bugging me! (ha ha), But, sometimes I have seen them feeling bugged by one another. I know that college and working can be stressful and not always bring out the best in people, but as I said earlier, I know that the truth is that we are all here for each other. I love it when one of the boys tells me that they called and talked to Alicia or Lindsey that day, "just because." And, they almost always end those calls with, "bye, I love you!" And I know that they mean it.