~The Speth Family~: Musings

Monday, November 8, 2010

Musings

Yesterday at church John and I talked briefly with a young mother-to-be. Actually, she is having her baby this morning. I suddenly felt so jealous and I chuckled a little inside as I listed to John tell them how lucky they were. I heard words I didn't think he would ever admit to anyone :)

I had better explain - I didn't feel jealous in an I-want-a-baby kind of way (after all, I have been blessed with three already), but in a "she is going to have the best day of her entire life tomorrow and she doesn't even know what that MEANS yet!" kind of way. That moment of seeing your child for the first time - ahhhh that is heaven and suddenly I wished I could have had ten of them. Ah well. BTW I read the most beautiful birth story this morning! Seriously, take five minutes to read it - it will make you cry... http://www.natthefatrat.com/2010/11/to-birth-soul.html#comments

So I am grateful to be a mother. I have been grateful for lots of things today. Yesterday our Relief Society President gave a lesson on gratitude using President Monson's address from the Oct 2010 general conference. At the end of Sunday School Ammon became restless and wanted to be on the floor so he could go exploring. John put him down and he scooted back a few rows to Angela, our next door neighbor. I never have to worry about anything with Angela because she is an angel (especially when it comes to kids). So John got up to go talk to someone and I just let Ammon go. After I saw her pick him up I went about my own business, knowing full well he was in good hands. Angela had to go play the piano for RS so she handed him to her other next door neighbor, Lisa. I heard John call her "mama Lisa" as he walked by her because she was Angela's baby's "mama Lisa". I smiled because Lisa is also an angel. Lisa is the music leader so I assumed she would bring him back to me when the time came, but I looked up and saw her handing Ammon to her next door neighbor, Sister Burton. Wow - three Angels in a row! As the RS President began to speak about gratitude my heart felt heavy with gratitude - for the three angels who took care of my baby while I was about my business and for the fact that I had absolutely no reason to worry about him and despite my guilt for passing on my motherly responsibility for one brief hour, I couldn't have asked for more capable women to assume my role.

And how lucky am I to LIVE next to these women? Who serve me each and every week in some way or another and who feel more like family than neighbors. Family is irreplaceable, that is so true, but in the momentary absence of my mom and John's mom and our dads and sisters and brothers, I am surrounded by greatness to help fill the void. How blessed am I? Due to a good experience I had when looking for our first home, I feel deeply that Heavenly Father sent us to this house on purpose. Sometimes (ok fine, a lot of times) I complain. I complain because the house needs new carpet, or because things are fast becoming out dated, or because I wish certain details about the house were different, but sometimes, as these women bless my life, I feel like I would live in a cement block house if it meant I could live and associate with them. Heavenly Father sent me somewhere where he knew that when our families couldn't be close every minute to do what they always so willingly do for us, that the neighbors would step in and raise us right.

1 comment:

AngelaNovember 11, 2010 at 7:51 PM
wow...you made my day! Suzi, just FYI, you are my true example of an "Angel" you are amazing, wonderful, awesome and the best neighbor anybody could ever ask for. What a blessing it was in my life when you and John moved in! We live on the BEST street ever with the best neighbors ever. To be able to "share" our backyards between the Bartholomew's, Burton's and you guys...nothing could be better. Thank you for all that you do for me and the example that you are...you are the best mom and handle stress like no other! I would gladly help you out any day...but I hope that you already know that! Thanks again...you made my day!
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A Future of Peace
"What kind of existence can we hope for? Those who come unto Christ, repent of their sins, and live in faith will reside forever in peace. Think of the worth of this eternal gift. Surrounded by those we love, we will know the meaning of ultimate joy as we progress in knowledge and in happiness. No matter how bleak the chapter of our lives may look today, because of the life and sacrifice of Jesus Christ, we may hope and be assured that the ending of the book of our lives will exceed our grandest expectations. 'Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him' (1 Corinthians 2:9)."
~Dieter F. Uchtdorf~