I moved in with my parents seven years ago.  Yes, I realize the stigma of someone in their late 30’s living with the folks.  You know, I must be the “special” daughter.  It comes as a surprise to me also.  According to my life plan I made when I was in Young Women, I was to marry at the age of 22.  Start having children at the age of 24 – evenly spaced until I hit 30.   So, I’m a little behind schedule.  The plan when I moved back seven years ago was for me to get established in the community, take care of the house while my parents served a mission, and then buy it from them when they returned.

Plans change.  Before my dad retired and my parents could serve a mission my mom became sick.  She spent four years putting up a valiant fight against cancer.  Instead of taking care of the house while they were gone, I took care of it while they were here.  I had the great privilege and opportunity of taking care of my mom.  I’m not going to lie or sugar coat it – it got rough.  Especially at the end.  It was physically exhausting and I’d break down emotionally a lot during the last month. 

However, I believe there is one valuable lesson we are sent here on Earth to learn.  That is service.  During my reading of the Book of Mormon this past summer I marked ways to come unto Christ.  My book was well marked by the end.  Finally at the end of the book, a prophet named Mormon made a recommendation that seemed to sum everything up.  He said, “But charity is the pure love of Christ, and it endureth forever; and whoso is found possessed of it at the last day, it shall be well with him.  Wherefore, my beloved brethren, pray unto the Father with all the energy of heart, that ye may be filled with this love” (Moroni 7:47-48).  After studying ways to come unto Christ all summer, it seemed as if these verses told me:  after everything you do, just be nice to each other.

There are some people who naturally have this great talent.  But there are others of us who are selfish beings and need to learn this principle throught lots and lots of practice.  Charity does not come naturally to me.  So how do we learn it?  It’s my belief the Lord has prepared a way by two great callings:  the Priesthood and Motherhood.

But what if we don’t have the opportunity to become mothers?  Speaking only for myself, how can I learn to serve?  I had the privilege of serving my mom.  She served me for 38 years so it was only a drop in the bucket of repayment. 

I’m not claiming I served perfectly.  “I’m sorry,” I’d say when I helped her put a shirt on and it got snagged on her nose, “I never had any kids to practice this on.”

“That’s okay,” she’d say patiently and try to help me do a better job. 

I’m still a very selfish being.  However, for the short time I got to step outside of myself and serve someone who had taught me how to serve was a blessing and an honor.  Don’t pity me.  I’m now thankful that my life didn’t follow the plan I’d made years ago.  Some detours are more beautiful than the straight course.