Big Enough

Oh that I had a heart
Big enough to hold
Life's lessons that impart
And how they unfold

Read this tender story of a mother who is chronically ill and a sweet son who is making sense of it.

http://journal.segullah.org/essays/paper-cranes/

Mothers Who Know — Latter-day Saint Women

Mothers who know
Prepare and then tutor
As through example they show
The way to the future


I am so touched by Sister Beck's words together with this video showing women who know....

The Invisible Woman

There was a young mother
Who saw she was invisible
As to another
She made her day divisible

Sometimes she was a clock
That was expected to respond
Her only chance to talk
Was to tell him what lay beyond

Her words fell on deaf ears
When she asked for a favor
And when she cooked, I fear
He pecked it and did not savor

Patiently, she listened
And smiled through his demands
And for him, love glistened
While with hands on hips, he stands

Who sees her sacrifice
Her unwashed hair and ponytail?
Her clock speeds up to twice
To be seen as dependable

Then, one day in a book
She saw what to all man enthralls
The pains unnamed hands took
To selflessly build cathedrals

In corners, everywhere
One may see each delicate carving
Though hands and arms did wear
For the credit, were they starving?

For God and not duty
They gave their all, in their prime time
They simply made beauty
That would not be done in their lifetime

Her dozen warm cupcakes
Her sleepless nights with a sick child
All the errands she makes
Will this raise a child that is mild?

If she's doing things right
The world will marvel what she built
For now it's in God's sight
With Him, her efforts will not wilt

thoughts from Invisible Woman
author unknown

There is Sunshine in Mommy's Hug

There is sunshine in Mommy's hug
That warms and brightens my day
For she gives me such perfect love
That even in darkness, I'm okay

Mother Was Not a Shrinking Violet

Mother was not a shrinking violet
As she worked beside the men
And how she could play the violin
Which we asked her to quite often

I can still see her in the garden
With a trowel and her apron
Toiling where the ground did harden
Awaiting first blooms to happen

Pray that others use her cans
And sew much with her threads
Let flutter on each face her fans
Midst kneeding dough to make her breads

Pray that our memories of her
Not wither away like a flower
To all she had so much to offer
That just to think of her empowers

The Mother's Child Safe from Harm

The small babe safe in mother's arms
Coos and smiles with much charm
And lights the room up, with sweet love
This precious cargo from above

With pats to the back, ever soft
The baby yawns and then nods off
To then become still, unto rest
Tucked securely at mother's breast

As sweet little sounds then begin
A measure of love stirs within
And mother, content, drifts to sleep
In peaceful slumber yet watch keep

Mothers Are Our Flowers

Come, Dear Mother, smell this rose
I hold to you to show
Let it kiss upon your sweet nose
Let its fragrance to you flow

Mother, you are as this flower
That blooms to please our sight
As from it God's own love doth shower
With wondrous beauty bright

Come, Dear Mother, smell this rose
I hold to you to show
Let it kiss upon your sweet nose
Let its fragrance to you flow

As Mother's love is so refreshing
May this image be as clear
That in my life, you're such a blessing
Thanks for tenderness and tears

The Chatter of the Birds- Mothers- How Cute They Are

The chatter of the birds
Tends to tatter on the nerves
When we're too busy to enjoy
Their songs of delight and joy

And to this wise harried mother
Their song was so filled with need
That she whispered, "not another
I have my own mouths to feed!"

The mother in her could not hide!
Their frantic peeps weren't far
So she peeked her head outside
Then, with love, cried, "how cute they are..."

This is true of each mother
Who hears "Mom" where e'er she goes
And with compassion like no other
Her love t'wards babies outward flows

[Verse 1] The chatter of the birds Tends to tatter on the nerves When we're too busy to enjoy Their songs of delight and joy And to this wise harried mother Their song was so filled with need That she whispered, not another I have my own mouths to feed! [Chorus] How cute they are How cute they are The mother in her could not hide! How cute they are How cute they are Then, with love, cried, how cute they are... [Verse 2] The mother in her could not hide! Their frantic peeps weren't far So she peeked her head outside Then, with love, cried, how cute they are... [Bridge] This is true of each mother Who hears Mom where e'er she goes And with compassion like no other Her love towards babies outward flows [Chorus] How cute they are How cute they are The mother in her could not hide! How cute they are How cute they are Then, with love, cried, how cute they are...

Sometimes I Forget to Call or Write

Sometimes I forget to call or write
And I know that often you hope I might..
Perhaps this is why this day started too
To remind grown children of what they should do...


Sometimes I don't tell you what you mean to me
When from you and because of you, I have come to be!

Sometimes I call to you, just to know that I'm loved
Like a hurt child running just to be hugged

It is you who has loved me with purity
And has given me comfort, warmth, and security

I want to say thankyou for your ever listening ear
For the way that you can calm me back unto good cheer

I want to say thankyou for giving me so much
For through you and because of you I have learned to trust

I thank you on this special day of the year
For all that you've given, how I love you, mother dear

signed
daughter number four

p.s.
I hope I can become more and more like you
And become tender and loving in all that I do

So a Young Mother Can Be More At Home

So a young mother can be more at home
Her husband earned the wages all alone
As, too, he took time to treat her like a queen
With long walks there to dream on dates that were lean

And traveling with them were all the children
Given freedom to explore the countryside
With wide open space much does thrill them
Where the security of childhood was not denied

But sooner or later the children grow tired
With want for attention and comfort
As both of their parents are desired
For affection, rest, and resort

resort- something or someone turned to
for assistance or security;
a frequently visited place

A Mother Heart

A mother heart is purely guided
As she senses her identity
She then becomes further ignited
Through her natural ability

How is a mother heart acquired?
But, through a gospel education
With strength and honor, she's attired
To strive without equivocation

Her tongue speaks the law of kindness
As she opens her mouth with wisdom
She eats not the bread of idleness
As she labors amongst God's kingdom

Her hands stretch out unto the poor
To willingly feed from her store
She looks well to her household duties
And her price is far above rubies

Out of small things proceedeth much verve
And, for her family, she delights to serve
Who is a mother heart? Why, it is us!
Before earth we shouted for joy at the trust

And we are here to attain earth life goals
By the side of righteous men each with their roles
Which neither can reach independently
To become endowed exponentially

Our work here is laying a great foundation
And obedience is part of this life's education
Those who're diligent will have much more advantage
As they take their considerable gifts and learn to manage

By developing a mother heart we prepare
To be blessed with a "quiver full" under our care
There is no limit then to what we can accomplish
To make the world a better place if we're conscientious


Julie B. Beck
A "Mother Heart"
Liahona, May 2004, 75

Hands

Hands

Jesus spoke in parables
So we could understand
He helps us in our troubles
That we will know first hand

For He draws things in the sand

He spoke of the body, too
The foot, nose, back, side, and face
He spoke of what hands can do
And someday Him, we'll embrace

We’ll witness what's pierced and trace…

The most difficult to paint
Of all the human body
The hand is hard to create
To study, capture and embody

Whether babe soft or grown knobby

To place the small in the large
Is the tenderest of sights
Love and trust are put in charge!
And one feels life's sweet delights

Oh, to have small fingers grasping tight!

The sentiments of such love
Should arouse fidelity
A babe giv'n from God above
Is a small package of fragility

And we've a responsibility

When those hands start to grow up
They must learn to be engaged
They can use a measuring cup
And serve both the young and aged

There lies love that can't be waged

Then comes the day they've grown
On each, a finger - a ring
A pledge made that is their own
Sealed as one to cling

At the alter - love's offering

Time passes... hands now of a mother
Bathing, dressing, and feeding
She will serve like no other
Her baby's ever needing

She gives training while leading

Time passes... hands now of a father
His hands support the family
He's unafraid of labor
Oft it provides, but scantily

He'll express thanks happily

In each of the parents hands
Is a sweet willingness to give,
They'll sacrifice their own plans
For each child's future yet to live

With love, their highest motive

And, amidst all these years
Have been unseen hands knocking
Ministering to tears
With or without their spotting

Available for the asking

Thomas S. Monson
"Hands", Aug 1990
Ensign

Lifting, Bending, and Twisting

Lifting, bending, and twisting
Every day in their homes
Each young mother's existing
To find for what she combs

Under the couch and loveseat
Are toys and books and things
Wherever the children meet
With them there's much each brings

Perhaps one day she can rest
While the children remain calm
That even though they are at breast
There's nothing in her palm

As she captures the moment
She sees her best reward
Her precious children are lent
And she is the steward

This world busily demands
And children know this too
Yet, a mother understands
And knows just what to do

There's no more worthy role
Than that of motherhood
And though it takes its toll
She'd striving as she should

She relies on her instincts
As each child's so different
Though some daily tasks may stink
At home she is content

A child's in need of well-being
While in the formative years
And thus must have a routine
Or are oft found in tears

And so there's times of frustration
As things are overlooked
She makes a correlation
And knows she's overbooked

Each family needs unstructured time
When they can laugh, talk, and play
That's when bonding becomes prime
And shining joys display

Every good thing is brought to pass
By small and simple things
Like moments in photograph
Her legacy is our heart strings

So when a daughter of God's given
A day to spend her way
All her thoughts while away she's living
Are of them- thus, she prays

This is how the church is preserved
And we must give her aid
For while her role is observed
Firm foundations are laid

What's the best use of her spare time?
That she draw from the well
And, that she enrich her life
In what she may excel

M. Russell Ballard
A Daughter of God
May Ensign 2008

A Mother's Beauty

A mother's beauty
Lies in her tenderness
Just to look at her
Spreads love and happiness

She can do something
That is just amazing
It's not in the kitchen
Nor is it hair raising

She can sleep lightly
Yet, hear every soft peep
And with eyes still closed
She knows when you're asleep

There Are Feeling in the Breast That Cannot Be Expressed

There are feelings in the breast
That cannot be expressed
But, with music, then perhaps...
As to the past, we lapse

A familiar melody
Hummed so very softly
Brings back to us memories
Of childhoods' life of ease

Of when Mother sang to me
When I was just past three
I can almost hear her voice
And find my eyes turn moist

The many years she's been gone
Must add up on and on
But, oh, how I love her so
Her song forever flows

Even After Mother is Gone

Even after mother is gone
Her influence remains
As her labor is never done
The memory of her sustains

Her children must fill their lives
With what pays her tribute
Sons as husbands, daughters as wives
Her love, they distribute...
As they in turn contribute

Mary's Enduring Love

We can pay tribute, as did Christ
Who showed complete obedience
To the Father, though His life was the price
There was no regret or grievance

While the whole earth, He'd soon ransom
He also paid tribute to His mother
She'd contributed to what He'd become
She understood His role, like no other

How He wanted her protected!
Some of His last thoughts were of her
So she would not feel dejected
To provide, it was John, he offered

We all need someone to live for
Someone that is always there
For decades, Mary was at the side of the Lord
Now it was her time to receive care

Such was Mary's enduring and abiding love

She exemplified steadfast faith and devotion

Continually she prayed to our Father above

Her trust in His plan did not waver in the commotion

[Verse 1] We can pay tribute, as did Christ Who showed complete obedience To the Father, though His life was the price There was no regret or grievance [Verse 2] While the whole earth, He'd soon ransom He also paid tribute to His mother She'd contributed to what He'd become She understood His role, like no other [Pre-Chorus] How He wanted her protected Some of His last thoughts were of her So she would not feel dejected To provide, it was John, he offered [Chorus] We all need someone to live for Someone that is always there For decades, Mary was at the side of the Lord Now it was her time to receive care [Verse 3] Such was Mary's enduring and abiding love She exemplified steadfast faith and devotion Continually she prayed to our Father above Her trust in His plan did not waver in the commotion [Bridge] In the hour when sorrow gathered near Love still spoke with tender care A son entrusted to a mother A faithful heart held in prayer [Final Chorus] We all need someone to live for Someone that is always there For decades, Mary was at the side of the Lord Now it was her time to receive care [Outro] Her trust in His plan did not waver Her devotion remained sincere And through the love He left between them Hope endured beyond the tears

tribute: an act, statement, or gift that is intended to show gratitude, respect, or admiration:

There Was a Young Mother

There was a young mother
Who saw she was invisible
As to another
She made her day divisible

Sometimes she was a clock
That was expected to respond
Her only chance to talk
Was to tell him what lay beyond

Her words fell on deaf ears
When she asked for a favor
And when she cooked, I fear
He pecked it and did not savor

Patiently, she listened
And smiled through his demands
And for him, love glistened
While with hands on hips, he stands

Who sees her sacrifice
Her unwashed hair and ponytail?
Her clock speeds up to twice
To be seen as dependable

Then, one day in a book
She saw what to all man enthralls
The pains unnamed hands took
To selflessly build cathedrals

In corners, everywhere
One may see each delicate carving
Though hands and arms did wear
For the credit, were they starving?

For God and not duty
They gave their all, in their prime time
They simply made beauty
That would not be done in their lifetime

Her dozen warm cupcakes
Her sleepless nights with a sick child
All the errands she makes
Will this raise a child that is mild?

If she's doing things right
The world will marvel at what she has built?
For now it's in God's sight
With Him, her efforts will not wilt

thoughts from Invisible Woman
author unknown

Our Mother

Our mother has charity
She's full of benevolence
As she patterns purity
And cherishes innocence

She serves selflessly, unfeigned
For peace, she negotiates
Angels cannot be restrained
They're as her associates

And when there is but pittance
With faith and with networking
Her arms extend the distance
And puts to place faith working

Our mother's good heart supplies
Tenderness and beauty
And when to her ears one cries
She knows what is her duty

On Mother's Day can she rest?
That depends on who helps her
Perhaps we can do our best
On this day, to be Mother

.....
Come the day, when she is gone
What will we feel everywhere?
Her love went to everyone
As she extended her kind care
....
The day's here, Mother is gone
No longer to telephone
Part of her stays- life goes on
I hear her voice in my own

To Do It All Over Again

Infant is a slightly more formal term for the word baby, the youngest category of child. The term "infant" derives from the Latin word in-fans, meaning "unable to speak." "Infant" is also a legal term with the (quite different) meaning of minor; that is, any child under the age of legal adulthood. A human infant less than a month old is a newborn infant or a neonate[1]. The term "newborn" includes premature infants and postmature infants, as well as full term newborns.


To start over is a scary thing
To be an infant all over again
Would we submit and come to being?
Would we stay premortal rather than?

To leave our Heavenly parents for new
From life of bliss to one of helplessness
To be small and uncomfortable, too
Here, to place trust while we are speechless...

Perhaps, at the start, we felt unsure
And spent every moment to prepare
Perhaps we gained faith that we'd endure
By watching mothers give their kind care

Can a mother be one, by random?
Can the father who gave of his seed?
For them both, we left what was grandsome
From them, we have our earth life indeed

Our kind wise Heavenly Father
Placed a veil here so we would not grieve
So all our past growth would not bother
Our progress here and need to believe

What is learned by having a body?
Perhaps to become closer to God?
Would He that we treat it as shoddy?
Or compare and put on a facade?

Our spirits do not depreciate
We can not go back or start over
So we should learn and appreciate
All we've been given to discover

There is a plan that's been put in place
To return to God in unity
We've a Savior, our sins He'll erase
Pray we take the opportunity

When our sins become overwhelming
What should we then do as our first move?
Give remorse its place for delving
Corrections are a way to improve