Two Beautiful Women

Today in a combined Priesthood/Relief Society Meeting, the teacher ask members of the class to volunteer and tell of something that they have retained all of their life that they got when they were young. The responses were good, but predicable. Answers included hard work from a family business, holding family counsels, discipline and direction. I had my own story, but I didn't volunteer – so I relate it here.

When I was growing up, it was my dad that would give me specific instructions on how to behave, “Clean your room.”, “Get a haircut”, “Tuck in your shirt.” and anything else that required direction and correction. My mother never did anything like that. She rarely spoke up, but had something more powerful. My mother carried an aura around her that illuminated and pacified where-ever she went. A cousin told me that the room would somehow get lighter when she walked in. She was rather quiet, but helpful, tolerant and kind to anyone around her. I treasure her unqualified acceptance of me, and even now after she has left us I still feel unconditionally loved when I think of her.

I did not obtain any of that quality, and certainly have not retained anything from my youth like that in my own personality. I am too opinionated and too grumpy.

However, I compensated by using her as a model for someone I would like to marry. Lucy is that one. In some ways Lucy is like my dad and frequently corrects attire mishaps after I dress, and she would not be characterized as quiet. But, she does have that same aura. When people come up to me in church, they don't want to talk to me, but want to know “Where is Lucy?” Of the conversations in church today, only one wasn't looking for Lucy.

Tomorrow (June 30) is our 30^th wedding anniversary. Why has she stuck to me all this time. I don't have good looks, have no money, have no sparkling personality, nor have anything much.

I love her very much – the reason I love her – I don't have a reason - I just love her. I think maybe why she has stuck with me all this time, in spite of all my deficiencies, is that she has the same reason– She just Loves ME. With Lucy, the next 30 can only be better.