Every Mother's Day for the past four years, I have taken a photo with my children on our living room step. This is the first time I've seen them all together, and oh, I love them! It is one of my favorite traditions. Look how teeny Elliot was in that first one!
Mother's Day can be tricky. I have found that what works best for me is to do everything that I normally do, while trying really hard to have gratitude in my heart for the opportunity. I have been blessed with some really wonderful kids to mother, and that is reason to celebrate! And if I get flowers or chocolate or a card on top of that, then it should be a really great day.
But here's the thing. Lately, I have been feeling under appreciated. I don't want to go into Mother's Day feeling that way. I don't ever want to feel that way. It doesn't lead to any sort of happiness, but sometimes that feeling is hard to shake. But when Sister Eubank read this quote from Eliza R. Snow in her Women's Conference address, I got the shaking I was looking for:
Sister Snow said, "We want to be ladies in very deed, not according to the term of the word as the world judges, but fit companions of the Gods and Holy Ones. In an organized capacity we can assist each other in not only doing good but in refining ourselves. ... Women should be women and not babies that need petting and correction all the time. I know we like to be appreciated but if we do not get all the appreciation which we think is our due, what matters? We know the Lord has laid high responsibility upon us, and there is not a wish or desire that the Lord has implanted in our hearts in righteousness but will be realized, and the greatest good we can do to ourselves and each other is to refine and cultivate ourselves in everything that is good and ennobling to qualify us for those responsibilities."
Oh man, she just laid it all out there, didn't she? Sister Snow was a wise and strong lady, and I admire her greatly. And so I am going to do what she says and stop seeking appreciation. I have a work to do and it is really important, so I best get on with it and stop feeling sorry for myself.
And also, grow my hair back out. I need to do that, too. :)
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Such cute pictures! I need to start that tradition.
ReplyDeleteI have the same problem for Mother's Day and my birthday. I know that there is part of me that craves love and appreciation for doing all that I do (for no pay) and for just being me. I have hopes that my favorite people will do a little extra for me those days. I don't want to tell them what to do, because then the outcome wouldn't feel as genuine. So, I tend to decline suggestions of how I would like to celebrate, do basically nothing, and then feel upset about it. It all sounds kind of crazy when I type it out. But, mostly, I just always want to feel loved, and I know that some calendar notation shouldn't influence the overall feelings I get from my people. Cheers to you, Stephanie, and I hope you have a very pleasant weekend, no matter the details.
ReplyDeleteI love that quote. I copied it down in my quote book in college before I really knew what it meant as an adult.
ReplyDeleteThe photos are fantastic!!
ReplyDeleteI love these pictures and to see how they have sll grown. To fast!!!
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