Moments with Cheryl

My birthday tribute to Cheryl my beautiful daughter whose birthday is today! To have Cheryl's birthday fall on Mother's Day every few years, has always been special to me. After seven years without a baby in the house, it was wonderful to have a sweet little girl. She was adored by her siblings as well as her parents. Thanks, Cheryl, for the sunshine you have spread to all around you.
Don't you love those curls? People used to ask me if you could give a little girl a perm--my answer always was "I don't know. Those curls are natural!" Cheryl was very proud of her "boat". She always tried to do everything David did. This included her interest in sports of all kinds. Though this didn't include David's football and wrestling, thank goodness; she did become involved in gymnastics, basketball, volleyball, and track. Thanks, Cheryl, for your willingness to try so many new activities.
At almost three, Cheryl was quite the little milkmaid. She has always had a way with animals including her gerbils, hamsters, chicks and rabbits. More recently, it was her little dog, Bauer. Foo Foo was a very special bunny. He either thought Cheryl was a rabbit or he was human, I'm not sure which. The love was certainly mutual between those two. Thanks, Cheryl, for loving God's creatures.

Cheryl was a typical girl who loved dresses she could twirl in, curls in her hair, ribbons, new shoes and even lacy pantaloons under her "Little Bow Peek" dress. Thanks, Cheryl, for being "that girl."

Cheryl had a special relationship with her grandmother Scott. Her grandmother lived with us from the time Cheryl was about six and they became close buddies. I would often find the two of them lying on Mother's bed whispering and giggling together like two little girls. Thanks, Cheryl, for brightening your grandmother's last years.

The year of 2008 was difficult for Cheryl as she fought cancer, yet she has touched the lives of many through her faith, courage and determination to win this battle. Thanks, Cheryl, for lifting me even when you were down. And finally thanks for bringing your wonderful husband, Ben, into our family and three special grandchildren, Brayden, Cambrie and Addison. Cheryl is always so happy and cheerful; and a such a loving mother, wife, sister and daughter. Thanks Cheryl for being one of my best friends as well as my daughter. We'll love you forever and always, Mom and Dad.

In the Strength of the Lord

On Wednesday, April 27, I flew up to Salt Lake City to go to Women's Conference with my daughters, Maria and Cheryl, and granddaughter, Courtney. What a wonderful opportunity to come and be with some of my loved ones as we were enriched spiritually and uplifted in our roles as women, wives, mothers and grandmothers. I came away renewed and determined to be a better person in all aspects of my place in this world.
There were so many ideas, stories and quotes that touched my heart, and gave me courage and determination to make a difference in the lives of those around me. A few of them are:

• Adversities are the means of gaining blessings that otherwise are not available.
• When you walk into a room you either add to the room or take away from the room.
• Grandparenting binds heartstrings for eternity.
• Grandchildren accept us as we are even when others do not.
• Be humbled and soften by affliction not hardened.
• Open your scriptures and read until the ache in your heart goes away.
• We must have faith in the Lord, Jesus Christ, and his atonement. He knows and understands every pain, every hurt, every regret for sin, and every sorrow we may have.We need to allow the atonement to work in our lives. We have to allow this to happen through a broken heart which is an open heart; one that is ready to be healed through the atonement.
• Challenges are not removed from us but we are given the courage and comfort to go on as we trust in our Heavenly Father's care.
• How we respond to calamities, challenges, adversities is more important than what they are.
• Lesson learned from a dairy farmer's sign: "Every mother produces a superior daughter."
• We must guard against threats to the family. When things go wrong with the family, then society goes wrong and fails.
• Love is what we go through together.
• Our extended families are our instant support network.
• The way we treat other people is the best indicator if we are becoming Christ-like.
• Humor helps us find ourselves again.
• Find joy in the journey.
• You will not survive spiritually if you don't stand still and listen thus receiving personal revelation.
• We may have to give up good things to make time for essential things.
• Imperfect circumstances are no excuse for doing nothing.
  My life truly has been enriched by attending this conference, now comes the challenge of incorporating what I have been impressed with into my life.