Baby Steps

Dear Megan,

You will be six years old in a few weeks.  Up until today, if anyone asked you what you wanted to be when you grew up, you always said, "A Mom."  Melissa would always try to tell you that you could be a mom and something else, but you just wanted to be a mom.

Tonight, after you were tucked in, you came into Melissa's room (where I was reading her a story).  That's nothing new.  You get out of bed all the time.  But this time was different.  You head hung low, and you were wearing a very sad expression.  With a quivering voice, you explained, "Mom.  I don't want to be a mommy."

I told you that you didn't have to be a mommy, and that you had a long time before you had to worry about it, but you just kept repeating, "I don't want to be a mom."  I asked if you wanted to get married some day.  You said, "No."  I asked if you wanted your own family some day.  Your bottom lip drooped some more, tears started down your face, and you said, "I want to be in this family.  I don't want my own family."

I gave you a huge hug and explained that you would always be a part of our family.  "Forever.  No matter what.  I don't live with my mommy and daddy anymore, but they are still my family.  When you get big and start your own family, you still get to keep your old family."  You smiled, said, "Okay," and went back to bed.

A few minutes later, you began sobbing.  I went to check on you, and you sobbed louder.  "I don't want to be a mommy."  "Okay," I explained.  You don't have to be a mommy.  Why are you worried about this?"

After a moments pause, you burst into tears again and said, "I don't know how to cook!"

Oh, Megan.  You sweet girl.  You are only five, and you are already worried about not knowing how to be a grown up.

Our conversation continued with me explaining that I didn't know how to cook when I was your age, either.  You burst into a smile.  "You didn't?!!"

Before singing you to sleep, I got to explain how we learn things a little bit at a time, and as we're ready, we learn to do harder and harder things.

After I left your room, I thought a lot about our conversation.  I'm so grateful to know that through the atonement of Jesus Christ, you, your daddy, and your sisters are mine forever.  If we work hard and follow the commandments, we will be a family forever.  (And when you get big, and have your own family, they'll be a part of our family forever, too.)

I'm also grateful that we get to learn things a little bit at a time.  Heavenly Father won't give us any challenge that is too hard for us to handle.  Heavenly Father promises us this in the Book of Mormon, Nephi 3:7:

And it came to pass that I, Nephi, said unto my father: I will go and do the things which the Lord hath commanded, for I know that the Lord giveth no commandments unto the children of men, save he shall prepare a way for them that they may accomplish the thing which he commandeth them.

So, fear not.  Don't worry about what you can't do.  When it's time for you to do hard things, you will be ready.  That's a promise.  Heavenly Father won't give you any challenges that you aren't strong enough to face.   And you are strong!  We'll work on the cooking thing in a few years.  Promise.