Last Saturday afternoon, I found myself in the kitchen with Mr. Nielson
who was fiddling with his fishing rod.
I was studying some talks and scriptures at the table- (but not THE table),
and the kitchen was uncharacteristically quiet.
Then I came upon a fantastic talk- that I have always loved,
but for some reason, in the quiet of the afternoon, the talk hit me again.
Given by Elanie S. Dalton in April 2011, "Love Her Mother"
was dedicated to all of our sons and fathers.
Then I broke the silence of the kitchen and read out loud:
"The most important thing a father can do for
his daughter is to love her mother."
By the way you love her mother, you will teach your daughter
about tenderness, loyalty, respect, compassion, and devotion.
She will learn from your example what to expect from young men
and what qualities to seek in a future spouse. You can show your daughter
by the way you love and honor your wife that she should never settle for less.
Your example will teach your daughter to value womanhood.
You are showing her that she is a daughter
of our Heavenly Father, who loves her."
But I didn't stop there; I continued to read
the whole talk and managed to read it while crying.
I was crying because I have a husband who loves his daughters.
He teaches them, loves them, respects them, and creates
opportunities where they can grow and develop.
I was crying because I felt the Spirit testify
the truth in the words that I was reading.
I was crying because I love women- all women!
I wish we could all feel God's love for us, especially in
this darkened world where this message is frequently lost.
And I was crying because I felt loved, respected, honored, and safe. Everyday.
Christian loves me, and he shows me he loves me,
especially when I don't feel worthy to be loved.
Because some days I feel so inadequate and so ugly.
Or misunderstood and small.
I am sure my girls (and boys, too) will never question
whether their father loved their mother (me)
because they see it every day in our home.
Just as I finished the talk, Christian stood up, came over
to me, and put his arms around me.
Then I tearfully finished the last sentence in the talk:
"So how do you raise a girl? Love her mother..."
* * * *
I was also crying because I love Elaine so much!
(Me with Paige Holland and Elaine S. Dalton)
