The Ironies of Life

A few hours ago, I returned from the General Relief Society Meeting. The meeting was wonderful, and I felt particularly inspired by Elder Uchtdorf's talk. It was all about happiness, a topic that I have personally pondered a lot. What I got out of it was, that the way to happiness is by creating and beautifying, and by having compassion. You can create and beautify in many ways, such as on the inside of your home, and outside, as well as within yourself. During his talk, I pondered what I was doing in terms of creating and beautifying that was making me happy. One thing I thought of was my garden-- a small space and probably equally small harvest, but something that brings me joy. The garden that I began in the Spring has all but ended, and just this week I planted two different kinds of lettuce, and some broccoli and cauliflower, for the Fall. They are tiny plants now, but while I planted them, a process that took several hours, I dreamed of the salads that I could create with my small harvest. I have learned a lot about reaping what you sow, and planned to take good care of these little plants.

Imagine my reaction, then, when I come home tonight feeling quite uplifted and inspired to be happy and create beautiful things, and Chad tells me that while I was gone, Aubrey pulled up all my lettuce and cauliflower! I was very unhappy that my beautiful creation, my garden, had been destroyed by another one of my beautiful creations, my daughter. (To her credit, my sweet daughter thought they were weeds, and she was pulling them, to make me happy). Actually, to say I was unhappy would have been an understatement-- flaming mad would have been more like it, though I was fortunately able to stop a bad word from coming out of my mouth. (But unfortunately unable to stop myself from slamming the back door. Twice.) Aubrey actually replanted the plants she ripped out, and I went out and made sure their roots were buried deep, but they are wilted and sad-looking, I am not sure if they are going to survive. I was disgusted and angry that the time and money I put into my garden had been wasted, and was agitated at the unfairness of my situation, especially after I had just been inspired to create and be happy. I fumed about it as I cleaned the house, and folded laundry. And I eventually came around to the conclusion that it is just lettuce, just a thing, and as the saying goes, people are more important than things. And with enough tending and care, my vegetables might make it. But more importantly, I had forgotten the second part of Elder Uchtdorf's talk, the part about compassion. Though I was angry, nursing angry feelings towards Aubrey, (especially when she truly had good intentions), was not going to make me happy. I am glad for Elder Uchtdorf's talk... it became apparent at my reaction of my garden's demise, that I needed to hear what he had to say... perhaps if I was perfect at being happy despite life's circumstances, I would have reacted differently. I'm grateful for modern day revelation. And for the small ironies of life that help us know what we need to learn. Even though I still hope and pray my garden will make it.