Thirty Days of Thanks - Day 7 - November 7

Today I'm thankful for my parents. There's no possible way to list all the reasons but a few things are standing out today.

They had eleven children. What? I remember other people thinking that was unusual but I didn't fully realize how monumentally ambitious that was until I was older. Imagine it. 99 months of pregnancy (and she got sick through most of it). The number of parent/teacher conferences. The amount of food to be prepared. The homework. Keeping that many children in clothes and shoes. And Christmas. The challenge of quieting that many children of different ages for scripture reading, family home evening, church (and several of those years, Dad sat on the stand). Providing transportation for that many people and bedrooms and bathrooms. Think about the school programs, the music lessons, the basketball and football and track meets to attend. The concerts, the recitals, the New Beginnings and Priesthood Previews.

It's overwhelming.

But then imagine doing all those things with love and patience. Imagine having that many children and not having a single one have any doubt that their parents loved them. Imagine eleven children being made to feel like they were college-worthy athletes, the best singers and the smartest and most clever people. It wasn't until later that we realized we were all pretty average.

I could go on and on. But I won't. I'll just say that today I'm grateful for my parents. I can't wait until they gt home.

Comments

Vern said…
I love Grandma and Grandpa so much! Can't wait until they come home. I love this picture of them!
Anonymous said…
Wow! It sounds very impressive when you put it that way. But we just took one day at a time. I would do it all over again in a heartbeat! And hope for # 12 that never came. Thank you for the nice things you said. Love you. LMH
missy said…
It looks like you could have used them for #8, 9, 10... A lot to be thankful for! I love your month-long thankful list.

My new favorite quote: Gratitude turns what we have into enough.
(author unknown) So true!
Scott / Lori said…
I love this picture of them too. And I love them. That really are the best......ever!!!!!
Leslie said…
best parents EVER!
cannot wait for them to get home.
i love them both so much.

i am amazed by them every day.

every day!