You are Loved

"God," she softly requested as she smiled, closed her eyes and snuggled in closer to me.  It doesn't matter which lullaby I try to add to our nightly routine, my baby always interrupts me and wants me to sing "I am a Child of God."  Even as a one year old she can sense the truth of this song and she loves it.  The message, which inherently implies her infinite worth, is being imprinted on her heart and soul. 

Children all over the world are taught this beloved LDS children's song from the time they are babies.  I, myself, sang it in California, in Germany and in England.  For one of my babies, I made sure this was the very first song I sang to him, right after he was born.  I wanted this message to guide his life. 

As our teacher  pointed out last week in Relief Society (our women's meeting at church), after our children are taught about their divine heritage, we continue with our teenage girls who recite every Sunday: "We are daughters of our Heavenly Father who loves us, and we love him." 

Then as grown women, we also have a declaration which begins: "We are beloved spirit daughters of God, and our lives have meaning, purpose, and direction."

This knowledge of who we truly are should influence every aspect of our lives.  It should first and foremost let us know that we are loved-unconditionally loved-simply by being His child. It should remind us that we matter, that even when we feel unloved or unlovable, there is someone who loves us, deeply and perfectly and cares about our joys and our sorrows.   He walks beside us and when we trip and fall He is there to pick us up again if we are willing to grab hold of His hand. 

How I wish everyone could feel God's love for them in a deep and personal way.  How I hope my children will learn to feel His love and that it will guide their actions and their lives.

As my aunt wrote recently to her son on a mission:  "for many people, holidays can be a reminder of what they DON’T have," while reminding him that this can be an opportunity to share God's true love for each of us with his children.  Turn off the commercials on the radio, on the TV and avoid social media if you have to this Valentines Day.  Let's ignore the voices that tell us what our husband or boyfriend is supposed to be buying for us, let's silence the commercialism of presents they tell us to buy for our children and instead of letting the world tell you what you're missing out on this holiday, take a moment to be still and ask God to fill you with His true love, that you are His child and you matter.  And then take that love and help someone else feel it, too.  Someone that might need a reminder even more than you.  And while you're at it, don't forget to love yourself, too.  Always be kind to yourself.  You are precious.

You are precious!

You are loved.  Perfectly, intimately and eternally. 

YOU are a child of God. 

Mary Pineda, my friend

Mary and Rebecca on the Pioneer Trek, June 2013

Every soul is precious, but no one understood that better than my dear friend, Mary Pineda.  Mary passed away on December 15, 2013, after a two and a half year battle with melanoma cancer.  Today is her birthday.

I first interacted with Mary five years ago at my Grandpa Ralph’s funeral, where she gave me a hug and expressed her feelings for what a great man he was.  I remember thinking, wow, I don’t know you, but just from looking at you I want to be your friend and you just made me feel welcomed into your life by giving me a simple hug. 

Over the past 4 years Mary became a part of my life as she realized I was struggling through pregnancies and constantly asked how she could help.  Many people casually throw the phrase: “If there is anything I can do to help you let me know!” but with Mary it was always spoken so sincerely that I actually let her into my heart and into my life and into my home to do such mundane tasks as pick up my disaster of a house or even clean my fridge. 

Because Mary was someone that was willing to serve me with such a Christlike love when I went through some emotional struggles with post-partum depression she was one of very few people whom I trusted with the details of everything I was going through and whom I could ask for a ride to see a counselor because I didn’t feel quite safe enough to drive myself.  While I spent an hour talking to the specialist, she watched my baby and gave me peace of mine that I was not alone.  In that instance she was like a mother to me because I was able to say things in front of her that I would usually only say in front of someone as close as my mother. 

Mary had a calming presence and a penetrating look of love when she asked you how you were doing.  Her “how are YOU doing?” questions were never casually tossed around, never used as a substitution for the word “hello” but were sincere questions, wanting to know how your life was going and how she could best serve you.  Everyone felt Mary’s love.  She gave it freely. 

I remember going to the Whittier Stake’s 50th anniversary ball.  Mary and Luis were at the dance and of course, Mary looked stunning.  I remember going up to her and Luis and complimenting how beautiful she looked.  Mary was physically beautiful, but it was the spirit she had within her, the characteristics that she had cultivated, that made her so beautiful that she drew people to her like a magnet.  People wanted to be with Mary because of her radiance. 

When you were with Mary you felt unconditionally loved and not judged.  If anything, you felt like Mary gave you more praise than you deserved, but it was always heartfelt and completely sincere.  She lifted you up and made you feel better about yourself.  She exemplified the way I believe the Savior feels about us.  She was a true disciple of Jesus Christ.  


One time I remember thinking to myself, “when I grow up, I want to be like Mary!” I have since seen another friend post the exact same sentiment on facebook.  Mary radiated such an elegant grace-she carried herself like a queen in the very best sense of the word.  But a queen who loved everyone and made everyone feel more important than her. 

The following is what I wrote about her on facebook the day she left this life: 

“Earth lost an angel today when my dear friend, Mary Pineda, passed away this afternoon. She taught us how to love unconditionally, she taught us how to serve with Christlike compassion, she gave smiles and hugs freely to everyone. She loved everyone with such purity- something the rest of us spend a lifetime trying to learn.
She was there for me during my difficult pregnancies and post-partum depression even though she was going through her own struggles. She never complained. She lifted, blessed, encouraged and loved everyone, especially her Savior. She was a true disciple of Christ.
During the last lengthy conversation I had with her recently she told me she was planning on running a half-marathon and a marathon someday. Mary, you "ran with patience the race that was set before you" (Heb 12:1) and you won. You have set the example for us all to follow. We will be with you again some day. You loved us deeply and because of that we will miss you deeply. You are for ever in our hearts.”

Dear Mary,

thank you for the example you were to me.  Thank you for loving me.  I miss you. It still doesn’t feel real that you are actually gone and that I won’t see your smiling face next Sunday at church.  But I know you are still smiling down on us and just waiting patiently for the day we will all be together again.

Happy Birthday, Mary. Thank you for everything.

Love,

Dorothea