'Remember Mama'

In 1943, Margaret was a 21-year-old mother-to-be. She and her sisters lived together in Great Bend, Kansas, while their husbands fought in World War II. On December 30, Margaret’s baby girl arrived. Lots of dark hair, but the poor little head rested almost flat on her left shoulder. As the months went by, Margaret and husband Raymond wrote letters to each other about their dear Baby Girl.

At six months, Baby Girl was still unable to hold up her head up or sit unassisted. Margaret became concerned and consulted with her doctor. The doctor's diagnosis: Down syndrome. His advice was to put the baby in an institution and to get on with her life.

Margaret refused to believe it was hopeless. Instead, she traveled to Crippled Children's Hospital in Hays, an hour's drive away. The doctor there entered the room, looked at the baby's chart, and read aloud the last name. "SCHWEIN?! Another ##&*!! German?" And with that, he refused to even look at Baby Girl. German name, yes. Ironically, four of the Schwein sons were serving in the U.S. Armed Forces, not the German Army.

Finally, Margaret went to Kansas City where Baby Girl was examined by several doctors. Diagnosis: "rye neck." Baby girl was in traction for the next nine weeks.

But the story doesn't end there. On December 13, 1944, 17 days before Baby Girl's first birthday and 28 days before he was to come home, Raymond was killed in action.

I was Baby Girl. I called my mother Mama as a child. When I stood by her deathbed on October 11, 1996, I leaned over her and cried, “mama, mama," like a small child. I felt great sorrow from the very depths of my heart.

After being widowed for about six months, Margaret married a man who was 42! Everyone was shocked. But it worked, really worked. I never heard cross words or loud voices between my parents – they adored each other. They were great role models as parents.

My life was so happy... At age 8 my mom started taking me to a protestant church. After I was baptized, she quit going. When I asked her why, she said she didn’t like the minister, so I was dropped off each Sunday by myself to attend. I attended through high school and college. It's the church where I married my husband, Jim, in 1965.

In 1975, while living in Anchorage, Jim and I were introduced to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. That night forever changed our lives. We viewed a short film about the work done in holy temples, including the eternal sealings of families. We chose to learn more, and I was baptized 4 months later. That night was the first step in a journey to make our family an eternal one.

In 1992, while attending the Washington DC temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, I had a sacred, defining moment. As I left the Celestial room, I came upon a painting of the Savior in Gethsemane – a painting I recognized from my first church experiences as a child in Kansas. As I looked at the painting, this thought came to my mind: “You’ve always wondered when you first had your testimony of the Christ – it was in the dusty little church camp where you first saw this painting. As a child, you knew Jesus was the Christ.” I truly believe that experience was because of my mother’s thoughtful preparation for my life.

So here’s my admonition to each of you. Teach your children and grandchildren who you are. We need to not only tell our stories; we need to have them written down. I think my mother’s influence in creating a love of reading and writing prepared me to hear the counsel of the prophet, Spencer W. Kimball in the 1977 October, General Conference, when I as a new member of the church heard him say, “Get a notebook, a journal that will last through all time, and maybe the angels will quote from it for eternity. Begin today and write in it your goings and comings, your deepest thoughts, your achievements, your failures, your associations and your triumphs, your impressions and your testimonies. Remember the Savior chastised those who failed to record important events.”

I began keeping a journal at age 33 and have ever since. I believe my children and grand-children will “know me” because of these writings, and can learn and grow from my experiences.

Sharon Sellens is a retired teacher who loves writing and journaling her family's history. She is a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.