THE FAMILY:
After venting to my friend and visiting teacher, Julie one afternoon she told me the following account. Her daughter, Kelly, who was ALWAYS late and doing everything at the last minute raced into the kitchen as they were about to leave for Young Women. In a panic mode that was typical in Kelly's life she yelled, "I HAVE to have a t-shirt for the activity tonight!" Since this lack of preparation was a common issue and Julie was trying to not bail Kelly out of these situations, Julie told her daughter she would just have to make do and take a t-shirt from her drawer since she hadn't given her mom time to help her prepare. Kelly ran grumpily upstairs, quickly pulled a t-shirt from her dresser and out the door they ran to Young Women.The next morning as Julie was gathering dirty laundry from her children's rooms she came across Kelly's shirt from the night before. Curious about what the shirts were used for she picked it up to look at it. On the front was the original printing from when Kelly received the shirt. It was from the 5th grade "Just say no" red ribbon week campaign at school. The saying "Just Say No" on the back of the t-shirt was worn from all of it's washing but it was still a clear message. Julie turned the shirt around to find what they had done at Young Women the night before. In bright orange letters was ironed on the phrase "Families are Forever". Julie turned the shirt around again, realizing the shirt now said on the front "Families are Forever" and on the back "Just Say no". When Kelly got home it was a great opportunity to have a discussion on the results of her lack of preparation and for me it was a funny opening to talk with my visiting teacher about the fact that sometimes this path of a forever family is hard and frustrating. I won't "just say no" to it of course but the reality of raising children every minute of every day until forever comes is that there will be days it just isn't fun. I just wanted you to know you are not alone. It is common to think "I am the only one who feels this way". So, now you know, you aren't the only one. Please pray, read your scriptures, talk to your visiting teachers and those you have friendships with. I love you and your Heavenly Father loves you and it is one day at a time on the path to forever. Good luck!
