My Birthday in Review

So, my birthday was great. I got many wonderful gifts from my children: none of which they picked out, paid for, or wrapped. They were just as happy to give them to me as if they HAD done any of the above.

I collect Willow Tree figurines. Actually, John and I give them to each other. For ME, their facelessness reminds me that I am one of many women doing, feeling, and being the mother of the future. I am united, with every other woman, doing what I can to create a world that's great for the people I love most.

My husband really "gets" me. I know it's because I talk his EAR off about my hopes, goals, dreams, phone calls, experiences, students, etc. I talk A LOT. I know he would tell you the same (although he's a man of few words. You should note, he's never written or commented on "our" blog ever.)

We recently finished reading a book called Queste by Angie Sage. When I saw that it was the title for this piece, I immediately thought it was because of the book. I'm not quite sure what it says to JOHN, but immediately upon seeing it, it reminded me of 2 things. Firstly, "we" did his first degree in business together. I worked myself stupid to keep him in school, and he got marvelous marks and still worked full time. The second thing it reminded me is that we read the same books and have wonderful, inspiring, "book group" discussions about how clever books are. He's the best reading group I've ever had, and he reads to my son every night. He inspires in my children the love of reading. My children know I *teach* reading, that I buy all the books, but my husband brings them to life. His role in my life and the lives of my children is so very beautiful. He takes it so seriously, and he does such a fine job as a husband and father. Anyone could look at our life and see that we are his first priority.

He also bought me a figurine called "Guardian"---and I know I see myself in this way. I think it's lovely that HE knows I consider myself the guardian of children everywhere. I'm not Angelina Jolie. I'll never be an ambassador to the UN, or join UNICEF, or do anything spectacular, but I do view my roll as a protector of the innocent as a real, important "calling" like the Sons of Mosiah (My favorite chapter of all scripture is Mosiah 17. These are verses 13 & 14: 13 And it came to pass when they had arrived in the borders of the land of the Lamanites, that they aseparated themselves and departed one from another, trusting in the Lord that they should meet again at the close of their harvest; for they supposed that great was the work which they had undertaken. 14 And assuredly it was great,

I see myself doing great work simply by touching the lives of my students, friends, and children. I know that what I do is important.

I also see myself as the most important advocate my own children have with the world. The gorgeousness of this figurine for me is that I love my children so very much. They are what I wanted most in life, and I would have given anything, anything to have them.

The third gift he gave me was a figurine called "Child's Touch." Asa said, "That's ME and Mama!" When he saw it. Xandri said, "That's Mama and Max." Jack said, "It's mama and me" and of course, it is all of those. How beautiful that my children still love to be hugged, kissed, have snuggles, and have moments with their mama. There will come a time when Jack doesn't look forward to being able to take my English class. There will come a time when it will make Xandri crazy I know where she is and what she's doing. There will come a time when I'll be angry at Asa for disassembling some important appliance. There will come a time, soon, all too soon, when I won't rock my Max to sleep anymore. He's my last baby, but he's not the last time I will touch the life of a child, nor will it be the last time I have a child touch my life.

My John, my smart, funny, talented, gourmond, architect, scouter, dreaming husband "gets" me; and you know why? It's because we're about the same things. He has the same dreams and goals about building better boys through the scouting program, and I have the same delusions of grandure about teaching. We keep the figurines around to remind us of why we're here, and why we do, every day, what we do.

Life is truly beautiful when you know you're in the right place doing the right thing. Life isn't always about the easy, or the beautiful, "but it's a beautiful ride."