I’m always happy when my children get along with each other. This is true no matter what age. When my kids were little they had the normal sibling rivalry and as a mom it was always understood to be normal but at the same time distressful and irritating too. We didn’t have iPads and built-in videos with cartoons for the car trips around town to soccer games and allergy appointments. For long car trips from California to Utah I bought individual audio tape players with earphones (remember the Walkman?) My kids were distracted listening to stories on tape and didn’t bicker over space, toys and time on the road — siblings without rivalry.
My youngest child is leaving for his mission, he reports to the MTC on Wednesday. I’ve been helping him get all of his stuff together for the next two years, and a very cold winter in Czech when he arrives in the dead of winter, early in December. I’m excited for him and yet I will miss him too — one of those mom moments that no one understands unless you’re a mom.
When I became pregnant with Seth — my last born — I was 41 years old and none of my friends my age were having babies. I think some of them thought I was crazy. My youngest was already 5 years old. I felt a little alone in my expedition, but happy. It was my easiest pregnancy, even with the constant nausea.
I remember a woman in my ward, Chris Gates, who told me how wonderful this would be — to have a child later in life. She said, “you will be so excited when he goes on his mission!” That seemed so long off, and I counted off the years to see how old I would be — 60. That sounded awful. So, here I am at 59, very thankful that they changed the age for missionaries from 19 to 18. Seth had a secret desire to serve earlier and when the prophet made the announcement he jumped up and shouted with joy.
Back to my thoughts about siblings getting along. Recent articles point to the fact that siblings shape your life. I was a happy mom when all my kids gathered at our home to go to the temple with Seth. I reflected on that comment from  Chris Gates about what a joy this would be — Seth going on his mission. The realization of that was greater than I had imagined.  My five kids were faithful believers and they all went up to the temple together. We participated in the prayer circle — no one had unkind feelings for another. And I was thankful for this moment and understood “joy in your posterity.” My kids like each other, they care about each other, and even with some sibling squabbles, they have strong bonds. I know they chose to be in the same family while in mortality.
We didn’t have a farewell for Seth with guests from the ward. Instead, we had a family celebration. For two days my kids hung out together, played games, ate food and went to the temple. It was a good mom moment. I don’t want to forget it.
