Mother Love

The only thing wrong with Friday is that it follows Thursday.  Thursdays, even now that I don't have to cook, usually leave me so wasted!  Fridays are our day in the temple, and I love it, but I am always so tired when we serve.  But I ALWAYS feel so much better, happier, at peace, more energetic by the time we leave that beautiful place.

It was a quiet day....and a beautiful one.  I met beautiful woman there today.  I had seen her before, and I couldn't remember where I had met her.  She and her husband stayed for several hours.  Finally, during the last session I remembered where I how I knew her.  She mentioned in one of our conversations that she had spoken with her daughter today....making it sound like her daughter lives far away.  I wondered..... she didn't look quite old enough to have an adult daughter.

That it came to me....her daughter is an adult....a young single adult whose life has intersected ours a few times.  We first met her daughter Katarine at Temple Square in Salt Lake the summer before we came to Denmark.  She was serving a mission there and wearing the Danish flag on her nametag.  We had searched for the Danish missionary there and were excited to meet her and talk about our upcoming mission.  We were struck by her poise, charm, kindness and gorgeous smile.  We said goodbye - hoping that we might see her again in Copenhagen, but we thought it unlikely.

Her family lives on Jutland, and she did go home to her family, but came to Copenhagen - and the center last winter.  We were elated to see her again.  She is in law school here.  Sometime later she began attending our little branch.  What a wonderful addition to our branch!  She began bringing people she knew....first her landlord and then other friends who were not LDS.  Then she began bringing a beautiful young woman we adore.  So we made some wonderful friends because of Katarine.

She is now serving an internship in Belgium.  I know she will be an excellent international attorney.  She is interested in diplomatic law, or something close.  She is an amazing young woman.

Meeting her mother again tonight reminded me again of my first impressions when I met her.  Katarine is a younger version of her mother....both have a ready and radiant smile....both speak with ease in Danish or English.....both communicate openly and graciously.  Both have a gentle manner yet strong sense of self.  Each is a quiet reflection of her deep and abiding faith in the Savior.

What a sweet blessing for that mother to see her daughter....having embraced all that the mother loves and holds dear....taking her place in the world....standing strong for what is right and good.

Could a mother possibly hope for more?   (did I mention grandchildren?)