When I was a little girl, my mom used to tell me I'd need to marry a wealthy man to please my taste for pretty and expensive things! She used to say it with a tone in her voice that made me feel badly about my love of all things fine and fancy!
As I've grown into a woman, I realize I don't need a wealthy man, but rather a man who loves the fact that beautiful things speak to my heart and when possible, honors my desire to be surrounded by that beauty.
For quite some time, I have admired a work of art entitled "For This Child I Prayed" by Elspeth Young. It is a moving depiction of Hannah and the baby Samuel from the bible. I have always loved the story of this brave woman who longed for the role of motherhood and promised the Lord that the child would be his, if he would just bless her with a son. What a faithful and beautiful woman Hannah was! I love a good story of feminine strength!!
This piece of art expresses something I feel deeply as a mother! It warms my heart with all of the joy and gratitude I feel for the babies I love! It is more than art. To me it is a masterpiece and whenever something touches me this deeply, I long to have it in my home.
A month or so ago, Tyler surprised me with this very painting and reminded me that enjoying the things that move your heart is an important part of this life. Wealthy (which he is in so many ways), or not, my sweetheart has blessed me with many beautiful things over the years, and I love him so deeply for that.
I was reading a book about Marjorie Pay Hinckley a short time ago, where she tells a story of one of her travels to a distant and not so prosperous land. She entered the tiny, modest home of a family and saw up on a high shelf a simple pitcher filled with plastic flowers!! It put a smile on her face to see a mother doing her part to beautify her home.....even if it is with one vase of fake flowers!
As women, we put the final touch on our home, and creating a place of warmth and beauty is a part of utilizing our creative power! "Fine and fancy" is in the eye of the beholder. What is beautiful to me may not be to you. The point I am trying to make here though,is that it's okay to love something beautiful.....that is what we were created to do!!
I love that picture as well. I cut it out of the Ensign and taped it in my journal to remind me of being a mother. My other pic is of Lucy Mack Smith with Joseph and Hyrum. Love it! PS- I loved the poem you wrote for the primary children. What a neat gift ;)
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