I just thought I'd write a post about why I named my blog what I did. I don't want anyone to get the impression that I CAN sing. Don't get me wrong, I love to sing, but since my kids have frequently asked me to stop, I generally limit my singing time to vacuuming or lullabying my toddler who is too little to say "Knock it off, Mom, that hurts!"
No, the reason I am Singing a Verse of My Song is a quote from this article:
"Do not be deceived in your quest to find happiness and an identity of your own. Entreating voices may tell you that what you have seen your mothers and grandmothers do is old-fashioned, unchallenging, boring, and drudgery. It may have been old-fashioned and perhaps routine; at times it was drudgery. But your mothers and grandmothers have sung a song that expressed the highest love and the noblest of womanly feelings. They have been our nurturers and our teachers. They have sanctified the work, transforming drudgery into the noblest enterprises." -James Faust.
My opening quote also comes from this same article. I highly recommend giving it a read.
I remember feeling some angst awhile back about the years I was not going to be pursuing a satisfying career while being a SAHM. Given the choice, I pick nurturing my children over any other occupation any day of the week. But, part of me wondered if I was missing out on something. I then tried a life planning exercise, probably from one of the Covey books. It was to make a time line of my life, marking all the significant periods. Since I plan on living to 100, I decided my timeline was pretty long (I'm very healthy and had a great grandmother live to 104.) When I marked off the section of years I would have young children at home, I was shocked. Even with a 12 year spread between my children, these preschool years will only take up 17% of my total life. Once all my children have graduated from high school, I will have almost half of my life span (45 years) left of my life to live. Plenty of time to pursue interests and occupations outside of mothering. Of course, if we are blessed with any more children this will adjust somewhat, but only by a few years. So, I am focusing on enjoying these few years I have with my children as much as I can. They are never coming back. So, THAT's why I'm singing.
Nettie - that quote is wonderful! I wonder if I could somehow use it in my lesson on Sunday! :0) To answer your question to me - I use all natural light. :0)
ReplyDeleteWhat a great reminder. BTW, you look way too young to have teenagers!
ReplyDeleteYea, singing and you.... they just dont go together all that well. Dont take me wrong, your a better singer than me by a LONG shot but your still not the best singer. srry. =]
ReplyDeleteThat's wonderful, Nettie! You're an inspiration! Thanks for sharing the menaing behind your blog title...
ReplyDeleteI love that quote. And here I thought you were a singer ;)
ReplyDeleteThere really is nothing better than Motherhood.
I LOVE being a sahm. Sometimes I forget to act like I do though. My kids deserve better than that! Thanks for the reminder!
ReplyDeleteNettie--I remember sitting in church on my 35th birthday (six years ago!) and doing the math, coming to the same conclusion: I'll have plenty of time after my kids are grown!
ReplyDeleteThanks for visiting me. I've enjoyed looking over your blog--the Mother's Day idea is great! I also really enjoyed your post below on your "practice blog." My husband keeps telling me to do SOMETHING with my template but I've been afraid I'd lose everything. It never occurred to me to save a copy of the current HTML in Word, either. Thanks for giving me some encouragement--and a safety net!
Thanks for sharing the meaning of your title. I plan on living to 100 as well, and I plan on dying with my husband, so that would make him 110!
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing. I was wondering! The quote is wonderful as is your perspective on your time spent with your kids..
ReplyDeleteNettie, I love this. It is such an optimistic way of looking at motherhood and the way we spend it. I am so glad I have never wished away any part of my kids lives. Thank you for sharing this.
ReplyDeleteWhat a great quote. I need to read that everyday. I am loving my kids' stages right now. It is true that we will have time for ourselves in the future. I don't agree with Merv...you have always been a great singer.
ReplyDeleteLove it. I feel the same.
ReplyDeleteI remember when President Faust said that--it made me feel so relieved that I didn't have to do it all at once! Love your blog--it's great, I'm going to visit more!
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