Nobody is a Nobody

I have taken on the project of transferring all our home movies from VHS to DVD that becomes more time consuming as I stop to savor the memories. One tape, filmed at least 15 years ago of my oldest son’s high school choir group, came alive with the faces and personalities that we were so close to long ago. I reminisced about their immature high school behavior as well as their talents and capabilities. I instantly recalled how I felt about them and could even remember how I treated them.

I don’t know what has happened to all those teenagers, now in their mid-thirties, except the few who still have ties to our community. From that group came an attorney, several schoolteachers, two doctors, an opera singer, a Hollywood playwright, a couple of accountants and some wonderful mothers and fathers. Unfortunately some have chosen paths or lifestyles that are detrimental to happiness. Looking at those faces I asked myself, “Did I treat those teens while I was in their circle of influence with the respect they deserved?” Had I known that Josh, for example, was going to become a famous opera star, would I have acted differently towards him, likewise for the attorney or doctors? Maybe there is wisdom in not knowing the profession they will choose because every child should be treated with the same respect, as if their talents and abilities were equal.

Whenever I become aware of an adult who is disrespectful to a child my heart aches, especially if it is my child. The mother bear comes out and I want to lash out at the adult who thinks my child isn’t worthy of their consideration and respect. But how grateful I am when an adult sees my child as worthy of notice and aids him or her towards success outside my influence.

I remember being told about Josh, the opera singer, when he first entered the choir room. Running with the wrong crowd, looking rather rebellious and heading down a difficult path, the choir teacher encouraged him to fulfill his fine arts requirement with her class. The rest is history… hidden talent developed that propelled him into a life that others only dream of. Where would he be if the choir teacher hadn’t nurtured his potential?

We all have experience with the disruptive child in Primary and we say to ourselves… “And to think he may be a Bishop one day.” We never know the future individual in our classroom nor the full understanding of the great spirits sent into our homes to mother. Treating everyone with celestial respect can only influence him or her for the better. Will our association be a positive influence?

I recently read a book about a Nun who wanted to be released from her vows and return to life outside the convent. She described herself in a way that has remained with me long after finishing the book, stating, “I am like a clear pane of glass. When it is broken and damaged it can be replaced within a short amount of time and will appear as if nothing ever was broken!” Her point being she could be easily replaced. Her statement has haunted me that someone would feel so unimportant. I have learned that nobody is a Nobody. Everyone is unique and important. In contrast to her analogy I personally feel that we are like stained glass with each piece uniquely made with color blends, shades and shapes. When placed within a group forming a beautiful design because of the addition of its color and shape, contributing to the beauty already there. When a piece of stained glass is broken it can never be replaced by an identical piece. Its uniqueness can never be duplicated exactly. Further stained glass is the most brilliant when the light of the sun (Son) flows through it. A principle all children need to know is they are irreplaceable. No one can accomplish a task just like they would. They add to family and society and make it better because of who they are.

Our children are somebodies and they are important somebodies. We are given glimpses of their potential and can guide them to what they will become. Treat your child with the respect of that potential and they’ll reach it. I cannot think of a more rewarding job than that as “Mother.”