Really good advice

Mom taught us many valuable lessons. To list them all would take hours, days, weeks, or more. 

I wish I could say that I listened to all of her wise council and implemented it; that is still a work in progress. 

Sherry, Sandi, and I received one standout piece of advice that I'm proud to say I followed to the letter:

"The Family, A Proclamation To the World" was revealed to the Prophet and Apostles after Mom passed away, but she understood the truths stated within it about the roles of fathers and mothers within a home:

"By divine design, fathers are to preside over their families in love and righteousness and are responsible to provide the necessities of life and protection for their families. Mothers are primarily responsible for the nurture of their children. In these sacred responsibilities, fathers and mothers are obligated to help one another as equal partners."

The chores in our family were assigned to prepare us for these divine roles later on in our own families. The daughters were taught and expected to sew, cook, clean, garden, can, etc. Kevin had different expectations to help with the animals, milking, feeding and hay, yard work, etc. 

I'm grateful that I was taught the homemaking arts and I still love the role that is mine. 

Big smile and a big heart

These are two of my favorite pictures of my Mom. Isn't she beautiful!

Seeing her with this dog reminds me of a time, many years after these pictures were taken, when she brought home a poodle that needed some loving care. She must have rescued the pup from the side of the road where someone had abandoned him. This wasn't a cute little fluffy poodle puppy; it was a mangy, dirty, and sickly animal, the kind you were almost afraid to touch for fear of catching a dreadful disease.

"Poo" looked sad, like this.

For reasons that I needn't mention, he quickly was named, "Poo", a fitting title.  

The poor little thing had apparently suffered abuse and cowered around most people, but knew that Mom could be trusted, and followed her around the house like a faithful shadow.  

I don't remember exactly what happened, but I know that Mom bathed, fed, loved, and patiently tried to train "Poo", for as long as she could get away with it. I'm sure she must have nursed him to health and found him a home.

She had a big smile and a big heart.