5 Passions

5 passions for my list of 30 things my kids should know about me.

1.     One of my favorite things of all time are my journals.  I don’t know if I’d say I have a passion for writing necessarily but I’ve realized that I do have a passion for writing in a journal to myself.  I really enjoy looking back and learning from my own life put in my own words.  I feel like it’s my safe place.  My journals contain cherished memories that definitely would have been lost if I hadn’t written them down.  Memories about middle school and high school friends, memories from mine and Andrew’s dating years and early marriage years, memories from those first few emotion-filled months of Audrey’s life and my journey into motherhood.  Times of struggle and pain along with times of such happiness that it took five pages to describe.  It’s all priceless and I feel like it’s such a treasure to have.  Andrew has also kept journals every now and then throughout life and I love reading them now.  When posed with the ‘what would you grab in an emergency’ type of question, whether a flood or a fire or whatever, after grabbing my kids and my husband I always say I would grab our mission letters and our journals.  They really are my most prized possessions.  And I’m determined to reawaken this passion when it occasionally starts to fade.  Sometimes when I realize I haven’t written in like three months I get a little panicky about what things I’ve missed, what memories I’ve now lost because I didn’t record them.  Life is only going to get busier, I know, but this is one of my most important goals for the rest of my life.  Reading family history stories have fueled this desire in me as well.  I think most people want someone to read their story.  I don’t want to miss anything and I don’t want to forget.

2.     Nature.  I was blessed to grow up extremely close to the ocean- an amazing view from our living room window and at least three beaches within walking distance.  I love and adore the beautiful pink and orange sunsets, the cool air, the fog, the cliffs overlooking the sea.  Then living in Utah I came to know the beauty of mountains and the big blue sky, groves of trees and little streams.  The peacefulness of sitting alone among flowers and trees just thinking, writing, or drawing.  I have been sorely missing peaceful time outside in cool air.  I realize the things I’m passionate about more when I’ve been without them.  I miss long walks outside.  I hope to make my kids into nature lovers along with me.  I hope someday soon when Hannah’s a little older we will spend long periods of time outside everyday.

a block from my childhood home

3.     Home and family/children.  I’m not a very opinionated person, but this is one thing I do feel strongly about.  I think I feel strongly for two reasons- first because I grew up with a loving family, children around, and a pretty traditional home and have had a very happy life, so much so that I’m working hard to have us live our life the same way.  And second because I’ve learned so much in my major (Family Studies) statistically about the effects of families structures on society and how the last few decades have suffered as family values have disintegrated.  I could go into all of this another time, but for now I just want to make sure my kids know that I’m passionate about it.  I believe whole-heartedly in all the cliché sayings about families- the phrase “the hand that rocks the cradle rules the world” and others like it are very true.  I’m currently obsessed with trying to make our little apartment a home, sincerely thinking about every decoration, every habit, every word we say and how it will affect our kids personalities and memories about their home as they grow up.  I truly, 100%, believe that marriage, parenthood, and happy home life are the absolute most important and most influential things in the world.  So I feel very good about the job I’ve chosen as a full-time mom.

4.     Good entertainment.  Movies, musicals, tv shows, plays, books, music, artwork.  I didn’t even realize that this is something I’m passionate about until recently.  I thought that it seemed kind of frivolous to be super passionate about, (specifically the ones that have to do with a screen) if it’s not your career, but recently I’ve just had to admit to myself that movie and tv watching is a hobby of mine and accept it.  Since elementary and middle school when I first started watching Anne of Green Gables for comfort, I’ve used movies and shows as companions.  I have a specific taste for inspiring feel-good movies, even sad ones.  I also for some reason love movie musicals…like LOVE THEM.  A good triumphant song can fill me up and make me tear up so fast.  I just get so inspired by the movies and shows I get into.  I also have a passion for theater.  There is something so amazing about seeing a story told on stage and hearing big crescendos in person and not on a cd.  I love historical fiction in movies, shows, or books.  I love reading because I enjoy imagining each person and place, creating my own world in my head from what I read.  Art is a passion for me because it is like the ultimate eye candy!  It satisfies my eyes, makes me think, and makes me feel good.  Good entertainment sometimes even strengthens my testimony, even if it’s not about anything gospel related.  There’s so much good stuff out there.

5.     My relationship with God and Jesus Christ.  How can I express things that can’t be put into words?  I feel their love and care for me.  I’m passionate about that feeling.  And I’m passionate about the eternal perspective religion offers me.  I’m grateful that I can pray and talk to Heavenly Father about my deepest thoughts and feelings and feel heard and completely understood.  I’m grateful for Jesus’ Atonement and the knowledge that He’s felt everything I have.  I can think of Him and feel better, feel His hand in mine helping me move along during the struggles.  I am passionate about the peace I feel about everything in life when I’m actively pursuing my relationships with them.