Years ago, in a General Conference talk, President Monson shared the poem, “Which Loved Best?” It was timely for me, in the middle of raising my family. In those days I collected classic poems and helped my children memorize them as part of their home school curriculum. I remember listening to Elder ... Read More
Why the Tears, Kimball? – Step 11 – Personal Revelation
My Sister, Jane, related to me the following experience she recently had with her two-year-old grandson, Kimball. Quoting Jane: “I've been trying to learn Spanish by memorizing some of the primary songs in Spanish. I’m motivated in part by the desire to communicate better with my little ... Read More
“Later Grandma!” – Step 11
During lunch one day I was talking to my Granddaughter Sammy (age four) and called her my “sister.” She told me in no uncertain terms that I was not her sister. I started trying to help her understand that in a “Heavenly” context I really was. I was barely into the explanation when she bolted from ... Read More
The Danger of Supposing – Step 3 and Step 11
One of the blessings of the Book of Mormon is the realness of the people. The descriptions of their feelings during challenging times are authentic and can be very instructive. One of my favorite women in scripture is our sister Sariah, the wife of the Prophet Lehi. My experience is certainly not ... Read More
“That’s Tricky Grandma” – Multitasking or Just Peacefully Do The Next Right Thing – Step 3 and Step 11, Perfectionism
Multitasking has been the name of my game. My husband lives with it. My kids laugh about it. Now, to my total dismay my grandchildren are discovering it. And frankly, I’d like to recover from it! Cooking and ____, cleaning and ____, sitting in Church and_____, visiting and____, watching TV, the ... Read More
Backseat Driver – Step 6 and Step 11
According to my dad, I was born with a stubborn streak. When I was a little girl all cars had a bench seat in the front and in the back. There were no seat belts, car seats, air bags, or laws for child safety, so children could place themselves absolutely anywhere in the car. My favorite spot, when ... Read More
Trick or TREAT – Step 11
Yesterday my husband and I drove for four hours in anticipation of a little surprise we planned at the last minute. Just as it was getting dark we pulled into an unfamiliar church parking lot. I put on my cowboy hat and my husband put on his straw hat. (Our costuming definitely matches our energy ... Read More
The “Serenity Prayer” In Scripture
My first experience at a 12 Step Support Group was twenty years ago, many years before the development of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Addiction Recovery Program. I began my experience in recovery at a Sunday night meeting of Overeaters Anonymous. The parts of the meeting that ... Read More