When I was in the prime of trying to raise a family, there were days when I wondered if any of my children were learning the values of honesty, integrity, hard work, service, faith in God and everything else that they would need in order be become good honorable people that would bless society.  There were times when I was a stay at home mom that I would run over to my neighbor in tears because they were driving me crazy and I thought I was failing as a mother, and she would reassure me that my children were good and that I was doing just fine.

As years passed, there were a few times where I had a glimpse of what kind of people they were growing into and my heart filled with gratitude and joy for who they were becoming. I thought of the day when four of my children put their money together and my son, Matthew, dressed up as Santa Claus and we all went over to my daughter's house and surprised them with a visit from Santa and a wonderful Christmas that they would not have had. I thought of the day that I stood in a temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints and met my son, Aaron in the Celestial room for the first time after 18 months of being away and he said, "If this is what it is like in the hereafter when families are reunited and can be together, it is all worth it." The Spirit was so strong, and I knew he could feel it. He gained a testimony that families can be together forever and not just in this life.

The day when we almost lost our grand son, I saw a family, both immediate, and worldwide come  together from different denominations in prayer for a six week old baby that most of them didn't even know. I saw the power of a united family in a common cause and the power that comes from love. I saw the love between a brother and sister when Aaron would call from Hawaii and ask to talk to his sister in Idaho when he was so homesick and wanting family. Just hearing her voice would give him strength to get through another week.

I thought of the day I received a letter from my son Aaron after several hard months in life, and he said, "Mom, I finally know what I am teaching is true." He could stand on his own two feet, I knew he had finally figured out for himself that what we taught him was true. I thought of the day when I was facing death with cancer, and my ten year old daughter, Chantel, turned to Aaron in response to her not crying after a blessing that I had received and she said "Don't you believe in prayer?" I knew that she knew one of the most important concepts in life was that God does hear and answer prayers, and that the power of the priesthood is real. I lived!!

I thought of the day, after many years, when our goal was reached that we could be together in the temple as a family. It was my husband's birthday and I knew how much he wanted us to be together in the temple and I wanted to surprise him. I had made arrangements will all of my children to meet on the second floor of the temple and I would bring him there. I think every possible obstacle came in the way that day and I was not sure if it was going to happen.

Golden and I arrived at the temple and we got dressed and met on the second floor. As he walked into that room and saw all of our family together, tears came to his eyes as he saw our whole family together in the temple for the first time. We knew that we had successfully taught our children and that they would move forward building their families and making this world a better place. What a wonderful day it was.

My children brought such a gift into our family of music. When they started junior high, they went into choir and like it. By the time all of them had gone through junior high they would all sing together in harmony. They would harmonize and sing in the car when we would travel, or in the living room when we would have dinner together. We went Christmas caroling together and they would sing in church. I had so many wonderful times just listening to them. Their music had always been a major part of our family and brought us together in ways I had never dreamed of.

Every time they would sing, I would tell them, we needed to record them so that it would not be lost. One Christmas my children decided to fulfill that wish of mine so they all got together and made a professional CD of them singing. As I walked into Matt and Melissa's home for a Christmas party, they sat me down on a chair and presented me with their Christmas gift. As soon as they started the CD and I heard them sing, my heart filled with love, gratitude and pride for the gift they left me.  (To hear one of their songs "Lonesome Road" click on the arrow at the beginning of this story.)

It is still possible to have as the world would say "An Ozzie and Harriet or Leave to Beaver Family" and more in a world where the family is falling apart. That is my pride and joy and my heart is full of gratitude to my Heavenly Father for giving it to me.