What I Want My Grandchildren to Know

By Kari Diane Pike

I love to dream. I get easily excited about "possibilities." Following through and making things happen is a different story. Why is that so hard for me?

At least I used to think that way. Now I know that I can reach goals, finish projects and make things happen. It's okay to do those things at my own pace. I can climb to the top of the mountain and enjoy the view and come back down again to live and appreciate life. Sunrises and sunsets are magnificent from any place I find myself. Perspective is everything. 

These past few weeks I've spent a lot of time with family -- both alive and dead -- as I've worked on family history and spent time with my parent's, siblings, children, and grandchildren. I've learned to treasure these experiences. They go too fast. Our youngest son Levi announced this morning that [after 31 years of doing so] I have about 40 school mornings left to send him off to school with a hug and a "Remember who you are." Those are precious,  prayerful moments that I will miss terribly.

So -- my goal to raise my family is nearly finished. Or is it? Another epiphany I had recently reminded me that my stewardship to my family is eternal. The next generation is already in their teen years. Research shows that grandchildren are far more likely to listen/watch/do what their grandparents show them than they listen/watch/do their parents. So what do I want my grandchildren to know?

I want my grandchildren to know that they are children of a Heavenly Father who loves them. I want them to know that I know that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the Living God. Jesus Christ possessed the power of God and voluntarily gave His life for each of us. He WILLINGLY gave His life and took it up again so that we could also overcome death and return to our Father's presence. He atoned for our sins. The Savior was willing to do this because He loves us. I know this to be true. I know it with all my heart. Only Jesus Christ was able and willing to accomplish such a redeeming act of love.

I want my grandchildren to know how much I love them. This requires me to do more than just speak the words. I need to show them my love through acts of service -- and spending time with them. The Savior died for me, but He also LIVED for me. Now is my time to live and love and learn. Especially love. My relationship with others is one of the few things I can take with me. That and my testimony of Christ.

I'm reading through this post, editing and spell checking and laughing at how my thoughts take different forks, branching off and landing me somewhere completely different from the circle I drew on the map. But guess what? President Thomas S. Monson taught, "Come what may, there is no need to worry or to fear. Our Savior, Jesus Christ, whom we follow, whom we worship, and whom we serve, is ever at the helm." Even though I ended up somewhere unexpected, the view is spectacular. What matters is that I prayerfully tried to make something happen. 

I want my grandchildren to know that even though they live in a scary, scary world, they can find peace in the Savior's words, "Be not afraid, only believe." I want them to know life is magnificent and that through Jesus Christ, they can make things happen.

Sending Levi off on his "mini-mission" experience. Isn't he a good looking guy?

hugs~