Paradise

Most of my childhood memories include the Strelitzia reginae (Bird of Paradise) bushes in the back yard and playing in or around them. With their sharp leaves, I'd get scratches. With their beak-like pedals, I got my eye almost poked out on several occasions. They are exotic, but upon closer inspection the crusty brown pedals amongst the vibrant purple and orange beauties can't be ignored; yet, part of the whole beauty. It reminds me of life...


Photo by Deann Barrera

"Nearly 60 years ago, while I was serving as a young bishop, Kathleen McKee, a widow in my ward, passed away. Among her things were three pet canaries. Two, with perfect yellow coloring, were to be given to her friends. The third, Billie, had yellow coloring marred by gray on his wings. Sister McKee had written in a note to me: “Will you and your family make a home for him? He isn’t the prettiest, but his song is the best.”

"Sister McKee was much like her yellow canary with gray on its wings. She was not blessed with beauty, gifted with poise, or honored by posterity. Yet her song helped others to more willingly bear their burdens and more ably shoulder their tasks.

" The world is filled with yellow canaries with gray on their wings. The pity is that so precious few have learned to sing." --Pres. Monson, Ensign June 2010.


Whether we are women with brown crusty pedals or gray on our wings, we have experience good enough for all to see and hear. Our beauty is glorified with seasons of time--youth, courting, child rearing, grand parenting. Though some winters we are frostbitten and some summers we're scorched beyond repair; we are ever ready to be proven worthy of salvation.

All we do now affects the paradise we receive later.

May you enjoy the journey to paradise and remember that the Lord will accept you. So Sing! Do! Go forth & Serve! Love! Smile! Pray! Cherish!