As I Pass Another Birthday

The greatest gifts my parents gave to me…were their unconditional love and set of values. Values they lived and didn’t just lecture about. Values that included an understanding of the simple difference between right and wrong, a belief in God, the importance of hard work and education, self-respect and a belief in America.
Colin Powell

I liked this quote for a few reasons --
1) I also had parents who brought me into the world, loved me, cared for me, and did all they could to guide me to understand that my life mattered, that the choices I made were mine, but that they influence and affect more than just me.
2) I admire the life that Colin Powell has lived and I admire and value the fact that he had such a deep sense of gratitude and love for his parents, their contributions to his life, and his love of our country.
3) As a parent of four, I read this when I am feeling doubt and discouragement in my role as a mother. As I read these words, I am strengthened by the knowledge that I try to live every day speaking my values, endorsing behavior that reflects these values, and encouraging my children in their pursuits and experiences so that they will recognize the importance of these values in their life.

As I reflect on the last 39 years -- most of which have memories I may never tap into again -- I know that there are a few values that help me to chart the course of my life...
1) I know that God lives. I know that His Son, in both spirit and flesh, came to this earth to teach us, die for us, and break the bands of death by being ressurected. His gospel is still on the earth today and He speaks to us through living prophets, and through the power of the Holy Spirit.
2) I know that I will see Christ again someday, and I know that He knows me and loves me, now and always.
3) I know that what I know is only a beginning.
4) I know that love is a choice, that service creates and strengthens love, and that it is a word of action, rather than a feeling.
5) I know that we can choose to be DEFINED by our experiences, our choices, our lives -- or we can choose to be REFINED by them. I choose REFINEMENT!
6) I know that all the heartache of marriage and children are WORTH ALL THE JOY -- if I had to do it all over again, I would!
7) I know that anger does not bring strength, only fear and scars.
8) I know that good books can take us to vistas unimaginable, and that crap is too often esteemed as quality...
9) I know that I will never be naturally blonde again... :(
10) I know that I would rather have happy children than a clean house -- yes they can happen for some people, but for me, I often have to choose -- and in no time my house will be quiet, uncluttered, show-worthy, and empty of the cherished voices, clutter, and hugs of my children. A clean house can wait...

The countdown has begun -- 364 days until "40" -- aaaaaaaaahhhhhhhh