Beautiful Life

Ever have one of those days?  The kind where you wake up on the RIGHT side of the bed... and realize life is really pretty amazing? I've just been overwhelmed with happiness today. Maybe it's because the sun came out from behind the dreary rain this week.  Maybe it's because of all the tulips and daffodils lining the sidewalks of my neighborhood.  Or maybe it's the simple fact we have a houseful of healthy, happy people who have now been getting full nights' rests.


Tonight I had one of those moments. I was holding Landon in my rocking chair right before putting him in his crib.  He was so sleepy and laid his head on my chest but kept his tiny hands holding tight onto my shoulders. I just hugged him for several magic moments- in awe of how big my 8 month old is now.  I stopped singing just in time to hear Jacob rolling with laughter downstairs because of something Stephen was doing.  I couldn't help but tear up because of the pure love and joy that filled my heart. Things just felt so right.


We've had a lot going on lately. Life has't been as simple as sometimes I might wish, but tonight I thought about how lucky I am to know that wherever this life takes me and my family, we're going together.

* * * *

Easter brought new thoughts and emotions for me this year.  Two of my very favorite people recently left this Earth to return to our Heavenly Father.  When I think of my Savior, his atonement, and the resurrection, I feel so much gratitude and peace knowing that there is life after death.  I am so thankful for a testimony that Heavenly Father has a beautiful plan in which our families can be reunited for eternity.


I wanted to share a special poem that was written years ago by my Grandma who passed away this last month. I've always admired her in many ways, but now that I am a mom, too, her tender words and loving example mean so much more than I can say. 


My Aunt Jimae (who lost her son, my cousin David, in December) read this at her funeral and I'll never forget it.


You and I
As surely as I live I feel
That life can be so good
For those who know the blessings
And joys of motherhood.


When first I held you in my arms
And felt your baby skin,
I loved the way your fuzzy head
Fit underneath my chin.


I knew there must be more to this
Than just the toil and strife
When I tucked my finger in your fist
And you held on for life!


Your first time in the big bathtub
You looked so round and fat!
You kicked and splashed and swam away.
I couldn’t have missed that!


All during that first year with you
I really passed a test.
Of all the people in the world
You seemed to like me best.


You tried to walk, your hand in mine.
Your eyes with glory shone.
Then one day you let go of me
And tottered off alone.


Much later, when we took our walks,
You had so much to say.
You asked me all about the things
We saw along the way.


I still remember those bouquets
Of dandelions you brought.
“Which hand?” you’d ask, then hold them out,
(A proud and precious tot.)


One Sunday you stood up in church
To say a poem aloud.
I sat there in the audience,
And my, but I was proud!


Remember when you ran away?
I couldn’t reprimand!
You looked so small and helpless
With your suitcase in your hand,


As just inside the door you stood,
A haughty little elf;
So stubborn, and so willful, too,
And, oh, so like myself!


And when I tucked you in each night
And touched your tousled head,
I always was surprised to find
An angel in your bed!


That first day you went off to school
As if you hadn’t cared.
But that same day you sneaked right back.
“I’m homesick,” you declared.


How many things you seemed to learn!
How very fast you grew!
And just as surely as you did
Your world grew bigger, too.


It will be just as well
If you never know
How very, very hard it was
For me to let you go.


I haven’t been an opera star,
But memories I keep
Of times I sang you lullabies
Until you fell asleep.


If I said I was an artist,
The truth would be quite tainted,
But think of all the lovely pictures
You and I have painted.


I’ve made no contribution here
That man will eulogize.
I haven’t written any book;
But you’re my Nobel prize!


Inside me, ‘til the end of time
A special wish there’ll be:
That I can give you back the joy
That you have given me.