Mother Dear I love you so!

I forgot to post this on Mother's Day. But I wanted to share it now. Maybe it will remind me to be a little more patient today as I woke up grouchy and very tired. Sigh...

Just wanted to share a few lovely little thoughts on Motherhood. I think I found these from an interview of Jane Clayson Johnson from her book "I am a mother."

I'd rather be a mother than anyone on ­earth
Bringing up a child or two of unpretentious ­birth. . . .
I'd rather tuck a little child all safe and sound in ­bed
Than twine a chain of diamonds about my [carefree] ­head.
I'd rather wash a smudgy face with round, bright, baby ­eyes
Than paint the pageantry of fame or walk among the ­wise.
--Meredith Gray, from The Beauty of Motherhood

Elder Neal A. Maxwell observed,

"When the real history of mankind is fully disclosed, will it feature the echoes of gunfire or the shaping sound of lullabies? The great armistices made by military men or the peacemaking of women in homes and in neighborhoods? Will what happened in cradles and kitchens prove to be more controlling than what happened in congresses?" ("The Women of God," 10-11).

President David O. McKay once said of women:

"She who can paint a masterpiece or write a book that will influence millions deserves the admiration and the plaudits of mankind; but she who rears successfully a family of healthy, beautiful sons and daughters, whose influence will be felt through generations to come, . . . long after paintings shall have faded, and books and statues shall have decayed or shall have been destroyed, deserves the highest honor that man can give, and the choicest blessings of God. In her high duty and service to humanity . . . , she is ­co-­partner with the Creator himself" (Gospel Ideals, 453-54).

Elder Jeffrey R. Holland:

"You are doing God's work. You are doing it wonderfully well. He is blessing you, and He will bless you, ­even--­no, ­especially--­when your days and your nights may be most challenging. Like the woman who anonymously, meekly, perhaps even with hesitation and some embarrassment, fought her way through the crowd just to touch the hem of the Master's garment, so Christ will say to the women who worry and wonder and weep over their responsibility as mothers, `Daughter, be of good comfort; thy faith hath made thee whole.' And it will make your children whole as well" ("Because She Is a Mother," 37).

And here's a lovely little song by Hannah. She was practicing it all week to sing in sacrament meeting. I love her sweet voice.

paintings by Pino