5/03/2013

Wonderful Day at BYU Women's Conference 2013


My daughter April Moody was a presenter at BYU Women's Conference yesterday. I loved attending her presentation and being taught by her. One of the greatest blessings of motherhood is seeing your children grow into such mature and loving adults who are a blessing to all those around them.

We spent a wonderful day together on campus soaking in great food, classes and the lively concert that evening. BYU is so beautiful in the spring.

We were both overwhelmed with the goodness of all the women who attended. All the women there are trying so hard to live good lives. Their countenances literally shone with inner light.

Thank you for inviting me to spend the day with you April. I loved every minute of it.
 

BIRTH and DEATH - a holy baptism of raw pain and transforming joy



Last year about this time, I attended the funeral of my grandson Caleb and the birth of my grand daughter Lily within hours of each other. Now each spring I am transported back to that time. I know through personal experience that our entrance and exit from this stage called life is sacred - a holy baptism of raw pain and transforming joy.

DEATH

I watch as the monitors in the hospital room flash Caleb’s vital signs. Glowing numbers appear and disappear - lower and slower.

The lights go out. 

“Don’t leave me,” Mathew sobs while he holds his dead brother in his arms. “You’re my best friend.” 

Can’t hold on to life. Can’t protect my loved ones from this exquisite pain. 

“Oh God, please help us.”

All we can do is cling to each other. Grief – a giant wave washes over us – we can’t breathe. Cold and trembling on the shore.

I see my daughter’s eyes.

Another wave.

“It was such a privilege to be your mother,” April whispers gently kissing Caleb and pulling a soft yellow blanket around his shoulders. 

Another wave.

Holding Mitchell’s tiny hand while we walk from the hospital.

“I wish Caleb could come alive again,” Mitchell says.

“Me too,” I answer. 



BIRTH

Ashley calls in the night. 

“Mom, my water just broke. Can you be with me?”

Another wave.

Hospital again. Monitor flashes Ashley’s vital signs. 
Labor contractions crest and fall. 
Minutes tick by as the waves gradually get closer and closer, 
the pain - stronger and stronger until she can bear it no longer. 

Ashley cries out in pain.

Another wave.

I cannot protect my loved one from this exquisite pain. All we can do was cling to each other.

"Oh God please help us."

“Push!” I promise. “Push through the pain. Lily is almost here. You can do it.”

Father's hands reach out and grasp his newborn daughter. Lily in her mother's arms. Exquisite joy. 

Birth and death. 

Light and dark. 

Joy and sorrow.

We can’t have one without the other.

I went alone to see Caleb's new headstone at the cemetery this week. I miss him. Yet this I know. 

Caleb is near. Lily is here.

Cycle of living, season of song, embraces and whispers, 

“Life goes on.”
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Special Sale Price - 2.99 - on FOR EVERY MOTHER ebook


My publisher is running a special sale price on the electronic version of my book "For Every Mother" just in time for Mother's Day. You can check it out on the link below.

http://www.amazon.com/For-Every-Mother-ebook/dp/B004QQ3N08/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1367353036&sr=1-1&keywords=for+every+mother


You can also find a print version on sale at the link below.
http://www.seagullbook.com/lds-products-649988.html
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