Forever Creations

Our children are our forever creations:

from babies to toddlers,
preschoolers to kindergarteners,

grade schoolers to teenagers,

young adults to adults,
they sit beside us along the road of life
with its myriad of twists and turns.

As young parents we gather them

and hold them close when small:

protecting and consoling,
playing and pretending,

teaching and nurturing,

filling their hearts with love,
hope, and all that is good.

As our children grow up, 

parents grow up too.
Discovering how much more
we have yet to learn and 

trying to give to them what we all need:

strength, courage, integrity, truth,
acceptance, and unconditional love. 

In time, we bravely let them go.

Watching from afar,

parents humble themselves before God,
continually seeking safe passage
for ourselves and our children
wherever life choices take us all.
Remaining connected, an eternal bond,
praying to have more faith, more trust,

more charity, more peace, more joy.

Today, Rick and I along with Seth's parents were able to attend Sacrament meeting in Seth and Jaclyn's San Ramon ward to hear them both speak; their inspiring and wise words touched our hearts.  Day 2 countdown found me so, so grateful for our children and their spouses that when I came home, I began this poem. I then headed to the Young Single Adult ward for a special fifth Sunday with Doug and Rachel Aaron as speakers the last hour of meetings.  (Rachel has always been a dear friend and mentor in my life.)  Rick and I are blessed to serve these young adults whom we love as well.  

Forever Creations

(Pregnant with Jenessa,

Easter 1993)