Thursday, May 14, 2009

The last 8 years and beyond (by Jeff)


With finals now over I thought I would take a moment to say happy birthday, happy mothers day, and why not happy anniversary and happy valentines day while I am at it. All of these days were affected due to schooling finals, competitions, or papers that were due. When thinking of what I want to say about Sharla I could use the methods others have used like a list of things I love about her, a sarcastic remark about how old she is now, or something quirky. I decided to say what it is that that I love about her the most – her beauty.

I am going to begin with a quote from Pres. Benson. We have probably heard it before at some time. Currently it is used with the new YW value of virtue. It reads: (slightly modified to apply to an adult)

“Give me a woman who loves home and family, who reads and ponders the scriptures daily, who has a burning testimony of the Book of Mormon. Give me a woman who faithfully attends her church meetings, who is a seminary graduate, who has earned her Young Womanhood Recognition Award (2 times: once as youth, once as a YW leader) and wears it with pride! Give me a woman who is virtuous and who has maintained her personal purity, who will not settle for less than a temple marriage, and I will give you a woman who has, and will continue to perform miracles for the Lord now and throughout eternity” (Ezra Taft Benson, “To the Young Women of the Church,” Ensign, Nov. 1986, 84).

I find the essence of beauty is not the physical for it fades in time. Nor is it in innocence, for it seems to be lost more as time passes. It is not in personality or desires. None of these or any other trait alone satisfies beauty. Beauty is much like the gospel in that it is what one has become which is important. Beauty is a compilation of all the good found in its individual forms and packaged into what someone has become. What Sharla has become due to her choices as a youth and as an adult is what I find so very beautiful. It is this beauty for which to date, I have found no equal in any other woman. When seen in this light, I understand how an aged man can say that his wife is even more beautiful to him during the final years than they were when they were newly married. And currently at our age, 4 kids later, 8+ years of marriage, I see her more beautiful now than I did 8+ years ago. Happy Everyday Sharla, I love you. ---Jeff

4 comments:

Machelle said...

That was very very beautiful, and it mad me cry. She really is beautiful inside and out. Thank you for sharing and showing us that deserve her. Love you guys and miss you.

Machelle said...

oh, and I can't spell

Donelle said...

That is so sweet. I told Randy that you did a post about Sharla...can't really put on here what he said:) Anyways, good job! Points for Jeff!

Williams Family said...

Who are you and where is Jeff? That was really sweet of you!