Family

Forgive

BY PAMELA JO BOWMAN, MESA ARIZONA — At the end of the day, a loving family should find everything forgivable.
 — Mark V. Olsen and Will Sheffer

Tonight Ciera was teaching us the importance of self-mastery. I believe it took all of her self-mastery not to clock us in the head!cj.jpg

The poor girl. She has created charts to encourage family dinners. She has created chore assignments to make sure everyone knows what their job is for the week. They are color-coded and laminated. She leaves homemade notes in our rooms. She texts or calls us to remind us of where we are all supposed to be or to tells us what to do. All of her efforts have been, well, in vain. The boys ignore her and her charts. She just doesn’t know what to do with us. Why can’t we be like a “regular” family? It is hard to explain to her that a “regular” family is a work of fiction. Each family is unique and that is what makes them the most wonderful family of all because they are uniquely your own.

She asked the question, “How can we become the master of our self. How can we practice good habits that can help us develop good character and our own destiny?” We sat there for a moment amazed that a 12-year-old girl could think of this stuff. Saac finally blurted out, “Make a chart?”

I’m sorry, but the irony of it all was too much for me. My laughter bubbled over and I couldn’t move and yet I couldn’t stop laughing.

I think she learned self-mastery tonight. At the end of this day, I hope she can forgive us. After all, that’s what families do, forgive.

1 thought on “Forgive”

  1. i almost miss her family home evenings! i enjoy my own though… capture the flag after a “oh ya… i have the lesson… well in the um… in Mosiah…” or a “i’ve been thinKing a lot this weeK about…” sometimes i miss my family home evenings with my family! soon… soon liKe in December we will have to have a really good one that includes me… because i will be there… hooray!

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