mother

I've heard it from several sources - use the internet to share your feelings about the gospel. This is a tricky proposition. The subject I'm going to blog about today has caused heated exchanges and so I avoid the subject except with people who I know won't be offended - I really hate to upset people. In the hopes that my friends know my heart, knowing that those who don't agree are comfortable with their life choices and most importantly for my children and grandchildren who may read this someday, I want to get these thoughts recorded.

I'm 50, that means my teenage years were smack dab in the middle of the Women's lib movement. I watched Sister Barbara Smith, General RS pres. at the time, debate Sonja (somebody, can't remember her last name... a former member, women's libber to the max) on the Phil Donahue show. Abortion was a hot topic and women wanted to be "free" by burning bras and working their way up the corporate ladder. Staying home with children was seen as a waste of time. On the other hand the prophet was saying, "No success can compensate for failure in the home" and later "Mothers should be home at the crossroads". This was the backdrop for a moment that fixed my determination to be a "stay at home mother".

When I was in high school my mother had to work. I won't go into the details but I knew she wanted to be home but just couldn't. If you had asked me at that time I would have said it was just fine. I was the oldest of 4 children - we were happy and healthy and well mannered. My dad worked nights so he was sleeping and could be woken for an emergency. Like most teenagers I was involved in my own little world with friends and fun and life was good. Then I had a moment that changed me.

I was walking home from school like any other day. As I turned onto our street I noticed my moms car parked in front of our house. I noticed that the front bumper was crunched making it obvious why she was home in the middle of the day. To my surprise I felt a thrill run though me - my mom was home and I was overjoyed. Ignoring the obvious possibility of injury I rushed to the front door and when I opened it I saw my sweet mom ironing. It was the most beautiful thing I had ever seen - as if angel choirs were singing. It may sound silly to you but in that moment I realized how much I needed my mom and how much I missed her. Of course, I never told her about this. She couldn't help the necessity but from that moment I knew I would be home with my children.

I told Dave many times in our poverty days that I would live in a trailer if we had to but I would stay home. I have had many little jobs, piano lessons, crafting etc. My boys would probably say they wished I hadn't done that but I was able to be home and it has been a great blessing to me and I hope to them. Now that everyone is nearly grown I'm so thankful that the Lord opened my eyes on that day back in high school. I have seen miracles through the years and I know that the Lord gives us no commandment except He prepares a way for us to accomplish the thing which he commands.

I want to add that I don't judge those who choose to work outside the home. I trust that every woman has prayerfully made her decision. We can stand together to uphold the sacred role of women in the Father's plan.