Thirty years ago I was twenty years old and about two weeks into dating my sweetheart and embroiled in the trauma of breaking up with my old boyfriend who had just barely returned from his mission. A very happy, sad, exciting time! I was serving as the RS secretary in our singles ward.
Twenty years ago I was living in Payson with five children, ages 9 months to 8 years, and I was very heavily into 24/7 parenting. Danny had just had tubes put in his ears, and we were in the middle of putting together the ward's road show. I was serving as RS secretary in our ward.
Ten years ago I was working at Mt. Loafer elementary as a Skill Building coach and within a month of delivering Andrew. We had moved back to Springville, and Jenny was a senior in high school. And yes, I was serving in the RS presidency, this time as a counselor.
Five years ago I was at home full-time with Andrew (who was almost five). I was doing a neighborhood preschool with him. Jenny was married, Eric was in Venezuela on a mission, and Christy had just announced her decision to serve a mission. Amy was a senior, Danny was a sophomore and Julie was in 7th grade. I was heavily into teenagers, and was probably making a dress for Amy for some dance!
Three years ago we had just returned from our trip to Guatemala and I was a first-time grandma, mother to a married daughter, three young single adults, two teenagers and a first grader! I was serving as Relief Society president, working part-time at Westside, and learning first-hand what it feels like to be in a pinball machine! Danny was a senior, so I was probably watching him perform in choir, band, jazz band, dance, a capella, drama, d'males, or something else.
So far this year I took down the Christmas decorations, fixed about sixty dinners, washed about a hundred loads of laundry, worked every day at Westside, teaching kids how to add and subtract two numbers, how to tell time, and how to count money--and a few other things. I was released as RS president and called as a primary teacher and member of the activities committee--and I organized the ward's Valentine's dinner-dance. I've driven hundreds of miles --mostly back and forth between Springville schools--and listened for hundreds of hours to people I love. I've read Coraline to Andrew and The Host to myself and I made a baby quilt for Elena. I've snuggled my granddaughters, and talked to my grandsons on the phone, written emails and letters, and driven my parents to doctor appointments and hair appointments. I've shopped and paid bills and even tried kickboxing and yoga a couple of times!
Yesterday I went to work, did a load of laundry, chaperoned Julie & Malachi, fixed a lousy dinner (sorry family), wrote 1000 words, and had FHE. I also taught Andrew long division just for fun.
Today I went to Andrew's spelling bee, then to 7-11 for gas, then to work, then to the high school, then to Sunroc, then to Andrew's Blue & Gold Banquet where he received his Bear and I received my pin. Then I went grocery shopping, back to Sunroc, and then home again. Between driving, I wrote 300 words, did the dishes, and helped Andrew make cookies for Scouts tonight. I also helped Andrew find his scout shirt, which was no small task. It was in the toy box, covered with toys.
Tomorrow I plan to write, go to work, pick up Julie, make visiting teaching appointments, take care of Elena, and go to Julie's New Beginnings. I also need to find time to give Grandpa a haircut and I want to watch American Idol.
This year I hope to finish my book and submit it to a publisher, learn to love primary, get my house completely organized and in order, scrapbook, lose weight, and enjoy a perfect summer with Danny back home again!
8 comments:
I'm worn out just thinking about all you've done. How do you do it?
That was fun!
"Learn to love primary".... :) I feel you on that one. The times I have been involved with primary in our old ward and in our new ward -it has taken me a while to get to that point. But, its amazing how it really does happen and you can feel that it is the work of the Lord. He really does love the little children. Its amazing how you can feel that as you serve.
Still, though, they do wear you out. No matter how much you love them. Little kids have so much energy!
p.s. that was funny to see how many different times you served in relief society!
oh and p.p.s. Elena loves the quilt you made for her. It is soft and fluffy and she loves to lay on it and play with it. It seriously is awesome. Because it is so fluffy I can wrap her in it and she FALLS ASLEEP feeling secure and held - quite a feat! Also, I have received several compliments about how cute everyone thinks it is. Way to go Mom! Thanks for the blanket!
dang mom, you have done a ton this year already and in the past few days! i feel like a slacker reading your list!
Ah, don't be impressed. It's all about giving yourself credit for everything you do! I guarantee if you wrote it all down, you'd have as impressive a list as mine!
I need a vacation just from reading that! It seems that you and RS presidency were destined for one another. I am in primary (secretary) now too after being a RS counselor. I have to say this calling is WAY more stressful for me than RS. But I am starting to love it. You will bee a wonderful teacher. I am always so grateful when my kids have a good primary teacher.
I also get the feeling you may have kept a journal...that or you have one terrific memory.
And also, I would love to talk with you some time about submitting manuscripts for publishing. I have one I love but am way too chicken to let anyone but my sisters read it. Anyway, I'd love to know how to go about submitting it.
Yes, I did pull out a couple of journals to remember. It was fun to reminisce a bit.
Primary . . . it will come. It's been a big adjustment. About an hour ago I was dropping something off at Andrew's school, and the ambulance drove by. I was going crazy watching it--where is it going? It's in our ward! Who's house? What's happening? It's hard to give up being the RS president. You just don't stop caring when you're released!
As for publishing, the first thing you have to do is toughen up, Anna! Sorry, but the sad truth is that rejection is a huge part of getting something published. I have sold three articles to magazines, and have had at least 20-30 times that many rejection slips. You have to learn to have confidence in your ability, and know that there are a myriad of reasons why your manuscipt wasn't chosen. And it's possible that none of them have to do with your ability! (Then again, it might.)
So anyway, I'd love to talk to you about your manuscript, and would be happy to read it if you'd like. You and I and Ryan should start a writer's support group!
Post a Comment