My dreams have come true

 As I was reading a friends blog, it reminded me of my own life. When I was around 12 years old, there were two things I wanted to do in my life, teach and become a good mother and wife. Through many twists and turns, the first goal never became a professional career for me, but throughout my life there have been MANY opportunities for me to teach others what I learned over my lifetime. I got married about a year after graduating from high school with only one year of college under my belt, and had a child the next year. Money was too scarce to attend college, but I could learn how to become a good mother from books and magazines borrowed from the library and the example of my darling mother-in-law. After joining the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints when our first child was five years old, I was taught how to teach children according to their age and how to teach adults, which I soaked  up and implemented not only at church but also at home. Relief Society lessons each month in the early days taught parenting skills, cultural refinement, homemaking skills, as well as religious principles. The lessons were like taking college courses! I was elated! My prayers were being answered! There were also teacher development classes and in-service lessons for imporving teaching skills. I have never regretted not attaining a college degree, because I feel that I have learned much from the experiences of living and of becoming. Continuing to read books from the library, from friends or from my own book shelves, has enlightened my ever hungry mind. Sometimes, Dad feels that he has cheated me out of achieving my goals, because we chose for me to stay home and raise our family. It was a mutual choice which I have never regretted, because it has fulfilled my fondest dreams! To borrow some words from my beloved friend, Mary Fellows, who writes so eloquently (my words in italics) -
"I firmly believe that each child born into the world needs someone who loves them passionately and unconditionally. It provides the foundation to venture out into the world, independent and determined to succeed. I would have loved my children even if I had been working full time, but I have never regretted being at home so I didn't have to send a sick child to a willing neighbor or relative when they were sick. They got to stay home in their own bed and whine at their own mommy who loved them and knew what they liked or didn't like. I have never regretted that I was home the day my teenage daughter (or son) came home distraught....... I have never regretted being at home available for the neighbor kids whose mothers weren't home.... I have never regretted having time and opportunity to make cupcakes or fresh bread or cookies to share with my family or others. I have never regretted being able to have the time to teach my own children whatever things I could learn and pass on. I have had opportunities through church, scouts, and even schools to teach others. I have never gotten a "degree" that says to the world that I have received the accredited education to legitimately impart information to others. But I have loved every opportunity to teach whatever I learn. I love helping others to understand whatever I can help them to understand and I appreciate others doing the same for me. I will not spend the time or money to get a degree at this point in my life. I just continue to read, ponder, discuss, listen, and learn all I can. My dream no longer involves a "title" for a career. My dream is one that every human being can have. I just want to be the best person I can be. I want the world, at least some tiny portion of it, to be just a little better because I have been here."

Amen