Yo Momma Has Spoken!

Since I have had more than three of you children ask about my political stand, I thought I would share with all of you my mindset, as of now, regarding this very crazy and heated election.

Deep down inside, I have always loved politics and standing and supporting something or someone.  I  have never taken the process lightly and have done my own bidding, not someone else's, as I have cast my vote.

Several months (long before the famed Trump/Bush lewd commentary appeared) I tried to reason who I would vote for.  In the Nev. caucus, I vacillated back and forth with Trump, Cruz, Rubio,  And when it was down to just Trump and Clinton for the the R/D Presidential, I vacillated between Trump and Johnson.  I never felt good or settled or comfortable in casting that ballot for either one.  I would pick a candidate, feel somewhat settled about my choice, pray, and have total stupor of thought, frustration and a lack of clarity about my choice; thus putting me right back at square one.

When McMullin came on the scene, I watched and read everything I could.  And if I were to be perfectly honest, yes, the fact that he was LDS played a huge part in me taking interest; not necessarily voting for him, but learning  about him.  I am okay with that.  The more I read and heard, the more I like.  I was still in angst regarding the "a vote for Evan is a vote for Hillary" argument and the vacillating continued as a result.

Then came the Trump conversation.  Yes, it made me sick and mad and totally defensive towards him.  BUT!!!!!!   I am not naive enough or so misinformed that I equate his lewd, offensive and even telling statements in that commentary, with the degree of evil that I feel Hillary is.  Since that commentary, I have research other disgusting videos and interviews regarding Trump; there is plenty out there.

I made this all  a matter of significant prayer.  I pondered it over and over as to who I should support. Then the First Presidency sent out 'the' letter that is sent out every election year.  I know it well.  But I read, and reread and ponder their counsel and statements.  I hope you know this about your mom.........I know we have a prophet that leads us today.  And he is Pres. Monson.  I know he knows the will and the mind of God the Father and Jesus Christ.  So I take his words very serious!

It is the following two sentences from the First Presidency letter that have directed my thinking and my stand.

"We also urge you to spend the time needed to become informed about the issues and candidates you will be considering."   *I have done this for Trump, Johnson and McMullin because they are the candidates I have considered. 

"Principles compatible with the gospel may be found in various political parties, and members should seek candidates who best embody those principles." *The Republican party (at this particular time) and certainly it's candidate does not best embody the principles I have.  And I don't feel the  need to even address the Democratic party or Hillary.   But as I listened to McMullin's views, some  of which I am still up in the air about, it is his conservative thinking and policies that best embodies my principles and views.  His thinking brings me a degree of peace that I have not previously felt concerning this election.

I do not feel that I am wasting my vote, or worse yet, giving it to Hillary.  What I believe I am doing, is exactly what I feel  the prophet has asked me to do.  If Hillary becomes president, then it will be because she was voted IN   office.  My support  is for who I want IN  office as President and who aligns most with my views and thinking.  That is how I see the process of  this specific election and voting for me. I totally support how you feel your voice should be heard and am in no way saying my thinking and actions are for you.  

This blog post really is in response to those 4 of you who have asked about my stand.  And I totally love you for asking!  One thing our family is, is diversified and free thinkers.  I value that in us!

I do want to say this:  I love differences and I am okay with disagreements as long as they are kind and dignified.  I am not okay with mockery of any type or accusations that I am misinformed or naive in my thinking.  I am not.  Dad has different views than I, but he loves me and respects me enough to listen to me share those feelings and views with him.  He does not try to sway me or make me feel silly in any way with how I think or feel.  I adore him for that.  And I want to add that I have never felt that any of you have done that to me either in any way.  I love our differences and that we can talk and laugh and still love each other deeply.

Carry on dear children.  I write that you may know I have opinions that may be different than all of yours and maybe not different, but I so love and respect your amazing minds and abilities to think for yourselves!!  I am in awe of you all!

A pair of sunglasses, a fence and a bicycle....just because she loves.

This past Friday I, along with Mindy and Darren Leavitt,  a few other parents and grandparents,  and the finalist players on the boys and girls tennis teams, were all huddled together in the shade (it was a muggy 95 degrees) on the far west sidelines of the very first tennis court  (not the courts that have the lights) watching Lindsey demolish  her competition.  As great as it was to see Lindsey win her matches, it is the following experience that I hope never to forget.

During the match, Darren Hardy (Senior tennis player) called his younger sister Camille Hardy (Junior) and asked if she would bring him his sunglasses.  When she got there Camille walked up to the high fence that separated her from her brother.   The gates to the courts were locked and the kids told Camille to just throw the glasses over the fence and someone would catch them.  Both she and her brother were concerned that her throw would not be adequate and the glasses would fall and get scratched, or worse, broken.     Without hesitation Camille scaled the fence and when she saw Darren, she gently dropped the glasses into his hands. Her climb, genuine concern for his glasses, and kindness in responding to her brother's request, were impressive to all who were watching this scenario unfold, but not nearly as impressive as what happened next.

We all assumed that Camille had driven  a car over to the courts; so when we saw her hop on a bicycle and  peddle back towards her home (again, it was a muggy 95 degree day) we were all a little taken back.   Exclamations of: "Did Camille really ride her bike all the over here just to bring you your sunglasses?"  and "Are you kidding me!  She really did that for you?" were directed to Darren. Then Darren Leavitt  asked Darren Hardy if Camille was always that kind. Darren Hardy assured us that his younger sister had indeed hopped on her bike and trekked on over just for that purpose and yes, she was always that kind.  Darren Leavitt followed up with:  "Is that kindness reciprocated?" Darren Hardy sat silent for a few seconds, thinking, and then sheepishly replied: "No, not quite.  I ask her what I can do for her all the time, but she doesn't tell me anything. And I try to think of ways I can pay her back for but I never do." Those of us who were listening  to this little exchange had looks of disbelief as well as awe on our faces.  Darren went on to tell us that Camille does things for him simply because he asks her too. No pay backs.  No guilt motivation.  No doing it for something in return.  She acts because she loves.

I write that my children may know that I desire for Camille's example to not just have  a reflective impact on me, but an impact that causes me to emulate her actions. To act just because I love.