This last month has been tough. So many things going on. So much to do. At times I have felt like a mouse on a wheel. Running as fast as a I can but never getting off the wheel. Over the weekend I hit the melting point. The point where you melt down. Whenever I hit these moments I start taking an inventory of my life. Am I focusing on the right things? Are there things I can cut out to be less stressed? Are the things I am doing of eternal consequence? What do I need to do and what can I ask for help with from others?
Since that time, the Lord has blessed me with an outpouring of support. He knows me. He loves me. He helps me. If only I could remember to turn to him sooner. To not let myself get to the melting point before I ask for help. To share my burdens with others. To be real about what I need help with.
I have covenanted at baptism to bear others burdens. I forget that means to share mine too. Let people help me.
I am a much better me when I turn to my Savior for help. When I turn to my husband, family, and friends. The Father wants to bless and help me, but I have to ask. So I am going to start asking. I am going to start sharing. I am also going to try to focus on the positive and not complain - like Nephi.
In other news, Halloween was last week and it was really great! In the past I have had a love/hate relationship with this holiday because it has seemed like a lot of work without meaning. I mean Christmas is a lot of work but everything is wrapped up in symbolism and teaching moments that I enjoy it. But Halloween is just fun. Don't get me wrong, I love fun too, but the older I get the more fuddy-duddy I become and want the things I take time, effort, and thought into to have lasting significance. I truly believe you can have a whole lot of fun while learning something of value too.
So Trev and I decided this year that for the month of October leading up to Halloween, we would have our family focus on the importance of family. We would talk about why families are important. Why we are in families. How we can make our family strong. How we can gain strength and give strength to our extended families. Then finish the month off with a tribute to our deceased ancestors for All Hallow's Eve. Get it? Day of the Dead, All Hallow's Eve, ancestors...right? :)
We would usually discuss these at our Monday Family Night and at dinnertime.
I am not sure how much of this sunk in to the kids, but I think our kids gained a greater appreciation for family and particularly their ancestors as a result. Or at least they thought about them, and for now that is enough. I will call it a success. :)
Here are some of the things we learned about our ancestors.
1. Grandpa Lighten is a modern-day pioneer. He joined the church (LDS) when he was a young boy. He left his home in England to come to Utah and follow his faith. He led his little brother to be strong in the gospel. Because of him, Trev is here today. He is a righteous Priesthood holder. A loving father. He has followed in the footsteps of his father and we are blessed as family because of that. How grateful I am for Geoff Lighten.
2. My grandma Moores was strong and fiesty. She grew up strong in the heat of Las Vegas, and she was always one that would tell you exactly the way things are - like it or not. She was fiercely loyal to her faith (LDS) and family. She was always there to give a listening ear. If the prophet said it, she would do it. I believe the strength I have and the fiestiness sometimes comes from her. Traits of which I have not always understood, but do now and am proud to possess them. Many of my siblings share these traits as well. Sometimes that has led to misunderstandings and fabulous disagreements, but we are all learning how to channel those pieces of our personalities in great directions. We are becoming a stronger family because of them. What a valiant, special woman Grandma Moores was and is.
Those are just a couple. There are many, many more. Trev and I have felt that we need to learn about and draw upon the legacy of strength our ancestors left behind to fortify our family and so even though October is over, we will be continuing to be a focus in our family. Thank you Halloween for getting us going.
I guess Halloween has deeper meaning after all. :)
But it doesn't diminish the fun! Here is a picture story of the fun side of things. :)
1. Skipping a Monster Mash at school to Decorate Pumpkins at home on family night. My brother and new sister-in-law came over to join in the fun. So glad we stayed home and soaked in pumpkins, cookies, and each other.
2. Annual Lighten Family Halloween Party. What a big, loving, strong family Trev comes from. How glad I am to be a part of it. How lucky our kids are to be a part of it.
Grandma and Grandpa Lighten - the couple that started it all. :)
How amazing to me how fast this family went from tons of babies to tons of big kids and teenagers! There are 30+ grandkids in all and what an army of righteous posterity they are becoming. So glad my kids have these incredible kids to look to and follow.
3. Lastly, Trick-or-Treat on our Street. Introducing Pumpkin Jake, Arial, Big Baby, and Sleeping Beauty.
This was the end of Trick or Treating for Abby. She became really sick on Halloween night. :( We got her dolled up, took her picture, ended on this one, took her stuff off, put on Jammies, and she hung with me the rest of the night handing out candy. She loved it!
We had a great time, and she was so cute just happily sharing candy with others and wishing them a Happy Halloween in her raspy, sick voice. And she didn't even eat one piece of that candy...I on the other hand....well that's another story. :)
Trev wound up taking Claire. She totally got into it, so into in fact that she decided to go again the next day. Didn't have the same effect. :)
Jake went with his buddy Luke.
Morgan went over to trick or treat with her cousin Addie in Riverton. Then stayed after to watch StarStruck. Is she really old already?
Well, all in all my love-hate relationship has grown this year. I am just simply loving Halloween now. My kids have so much fun. And I figured out how to make it meaningful. Love, love!
2 comments:
Great idea to learn about your ancestors at Halloween time! Brilliant!!
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