Happiness In Family Life

The Family: A Proclamation to the World, states clearly that "Happiness in family is most likely to be achieved when founded upon the teachings of the Lord Jesus Christ." in another paragraph, we are taught that "Parents have a sacred duty to rear their children in love and righteousness, to provide for their physical and spiritual needs, to teach them to love and serve one another, to observe the commandments of God and to be law abiding citizens wherever they live. Husbands and wives- mothers and fathers- will be held accountable for the discharge of these obligations."

Whenever I read those parts of the Proclamation, I am reminded of the counsels that have been given by our prophets in the past, that "no other success can compensate for failure in the home" (President David O. McKay); and that mothering (and I would like to think that parenting in general) means rearing and nurturing in a very real and personal way; a way that is demanding both in time and in energy." (President Hinckley)

I believe there are different things fathers and mother can be involved to ensure that all their childrens' needs are attended to or met. I was privileged to have had and have a mother who cares enough to notice a need in her kids and attend to that need in the best way possible. I know that when parents pay attention to their children and pray about them, they will come to now their children so well such that they will be able to tell when something is wrong with any of their children. I am so amazed at some of the things my two moms (Rose and Kathy) do, they understand so much about me that they have always been and are always able to help me with anything. I have come to understand that one of the reasons they are so good with me is because they take time to talk with me, find out what;s going on with me and listen to the things that I have to say.

Parents and spouses should not get in the habit of put other things in the way of relationships. Time once lost will never be recovered; that's the same with events, big or small. One can never witness, live their child take his or her first step, that's a one off thing and so is the first word; among other things. Sometimes, because we are human, we get carried with things that seem important and we let them take priority over those small little moments that could have made for wonderful treasured memories.

Here's a poem I wrote about the effects of procrastination.

Till Some Other Time- Procrastination

"i'm really sorry sir, we did
All we could but I'm afraid
Your wife did not make it."
Thoughts of what had happened
In their home earlier in the day
Flooded his mind........

He had snapped at his wife when all
She was trying to find out was
What time he was going to be home
So that she could have dinner warm
And ready for him.
Now he was wondering if all
That was worth losing her for
But she was gone,& all he could
Do was nothing.

"Maybe later, son, right now I'm busy,"
Was the response he had given his
Son when he had asked his daddy
To come watch him play ball with
Some of his friends.

"Your son may never be able to
Use his legs ever again,"
And now he would never be able
To see or watch his son, his only
Son, participate in sport ever again.

'Not now, oka," is what she had said
When her daughter tried to show her
A picture she had drawn of her...
Later that afternoon, she was involved
In a terrible accident that left her blind
Never again would she be able to
See any of her daughters' drawings
Let alone the beautiful young lady
she would someday grow to be.

Maybe if they had taken a moment
They would have realized that most
Of life is in those small moments that
Usually seem like a waste of time.

Maybe if they had taken a moment
To notice how much life was passing
Them in those small and yet beautiful
Things they had brushed aside

Procrastination is not just a thief of time
It robs us of our self-respect; of our joy;
Of our happiness and of all the could
Have beens' that never became!!