‘No other success can compensate for failure in the home.’

Pres David O McKay

my house

When i was a child families tended to generally consist of a mother, a father and one or more children. Occasionally there was an aged grandparent and a mangy dog or cat thrown in for good measure. On all accounts there was a unit of adults and children living in the same house. 

Today however that is not the case. Many parents struggle alone and many children are left to wander and wonder what it is to be a good parent. I left my husband after 12 years of marriage. It was necessary and i know i had God’s blessing to do so. However i did not bring my children up alone. First i had a Heavenly Father that loved me and wanted me and my children to be safe so he provided a way for that to happen. It was never easy but the times of laughter and joy were worth it. 

He also provided support from extended family and friends. Many of those people have remained friends even though it has been over 16 years since i left. Although, i had the ultimate say in the home i knew i wasn’t alone. I also had prayer. When life was at it toughest and it often was, i prayed, when life was good, i prayed, when life was just bobbing along i prayed and i taught my children to pray too. I also taught them that i loved them and God loved them and they should always love each other and be there for each other.

Yesterday was Mother’s day in the UK, as a family we also came together to celebrate the blessing of my granddaughter Amelia Grace Rose. It was a beautiful day. The words of the blessing are already beginning to escape me but i still remember that feeling of the spirit as the Priesthood took Amelia in their arms and spoke the words they knew her Heavenly Father wanted her to know. She made not a murmur. I felt truly blessed to sit there and watch my daughter carry her daughter up to the front of the chapel and hand her over to the waiting arms. For sitting there with my children, my family and friends and listening to the words that were being spoken. There was a moment of awe and wonder.

Afterwards family came back to my house. My house is very small but we managed and everyone got fed and lots of cuddles from that gorgeous baby. There was love in that house, in this house yesterday: it raised the roof and today it still lingers although everyone has gone, but me.