I am Mother.

Around Mother's Day I thought about doing a series of posts focusing on the role of mothers in today's world. I thought of posting all of the reasons I chose to be a mother even when the outside world looked tempting, promising. I imagine I intended to write some sort of treatise, expostulating and waxing poetic.

But then, I just got too busy...you know, being a mom!

So rather than use my own language, I'll just borrow that of Elder Neal A. Maxwell. It's superb and reminds me of just what I'm doing every day.

"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? When the surf of the centuries has made the great pyramids so much sand, the everlasting family will still be standing, because it is a celestial institution, formed outside telestial time. The women of God know this."

and (my personal favorite line)

"You rock a sobbing child without wondering if today’s world is passing you by, because you know you hold tomorrow tightly in your arms."

(taken from "The Women of God." Ensign, May 1978)

I very strongly believe there is great power in motherhood. There will be time, when my children are gone and creating their own homes and lives, that I will be "free" to sleep in, travel, work more, etc. I know I will never, ever look back on these years - sleep deprived and chaotic as they may be - and say, "I wish I would have spent less time with those darn kids!" I know the years during which I am the WORLD to them are short and yet so very vital. And no matter what else I do to help shape the world THIS is my real chance! These little creatures that Chase and I are co-creating with God - just imagine their potential! The things we talk about as we snuggle in bed; conversations had during long trips; values shared and taught through every day living; examples set and followed. All of these will shape and form my children. And when they are ready to be out in the world what will they share with their friends? Whose life will they change for the better? Sure, they could be President or discover the cure for cancer. And the world would laud them and mark them a success. But my goal? My real goal is to produce children who quietly befriend the shy, awkward kid and help him know he is a Child of God, beloved of the Father; a kid who walks around confident that mom and dad love him; a child who looks for the best in others; someone who is a great teacher, while still being teachable. The possibilities are absolutely endless.

This is what drives me. This is why I am Mother.