[Author’s Note: Every Mothers’ Day I think, “I should post that Mothers’ Day talk that I gave a few years ago,” and every Mothers’ Day I forget. Including this one. But however belatedly, Happy Mothers’ Day to all of our our sisters in the Gospel. Hope you enjoy.]

I want to direct my talk to the worst mother in the whole world.

Good, I just wanted to make sure that I have all the sisters’ attention. (more…)

14 years ago my little daughter died of cancer. This is what I wrote on the birthday she never quite made it to that year, with slight updates since.

Today would be Betsey’s 18th birthday. She would be legally an adult today. She would have been driving her younger brothers and sisters for a few years, would be working on summer jobs. In the fall, college. We would be looking at her and thinking, they grow up so fast, we would be thinking, this could be our last summer with her. But instead, our last summer with her was long ago and far away.

Happy Birthday, Betsey Pearl.

Today our grief for you is fresh.