I have been thinking a lot about how parents influence and mold their children.  It is a tremendous responsibility and a wonderful opportunity.  Anything can happen.  You can have less than stellar parenting skills, and your child will turn out fine.  You could do all things right, and have a delinquent.  Some vow to do it different than their parents; some strive to emulate theirs.  Two sisters, growing up in the same house, can raise such different children.  Not any of them bad...but so different.  And I can see how the children turned out, because of the parenting.  Sometimes we can do too much; give too much...and that does not allow them to grow and develop into independent, motivated individuals.  You can never LOVE too much, but you can DO/give too much. 

I happen to have lucked out though. Despite my mistakes...my faults...my ignorance; my daughter turned out to be a beautiful person; inside and out.  She is strong, smart, independent.  She is a good mother.  She is hard-working, honest, and has a big heart.  I only hope that she knows I did the best I knew how, and that I love her so much...more then mere words can convey.  I am thankful that I had the privilege of being her mom!

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I have so much in my life to be thankful for.  I have shelter, food, clothing.  I have family and friends.  Although my friends are seven hours away, and I do not get to see them often enough!  I have the Gospel in my life.  I am blessed.

 I am retired through circumstances, not choice.  I feel like I am floating aimlessly...I help my family out by watching their little ones while they work.  As much as I love my family, and as much as I love the little ones, this is not what I would choose to be doing.  It makes me feel good that I am helping them; being of service to them during a time they need it.  But I still feel 'lost' and disconnected.  And I know that I am lucky in my life...that I "want" for nothing.  I guess I do want something, though.  I would love to have my career back.  And that makes me feel selfish.  I just feel like there should be more to my life...

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