The Obituary of 'Sister Perfection'

Look at me, look at me, look at me now!
You could do what I do if you only knew how.
I study the scriptures one hour each day;
I bake and I garden. I scrub and I pray.

I always keep all the commandments completely;
I speak to my little ones gently and sweetly.
I help in their classrooms! I sew all they wear!
I drive them to practice! I cut all their hair!

I memorize names of the General Authorities;
I focus on things to be done by priorities.
I keep our home organized, clean and attractive.
I drop by with goodies and see the less-active.

I play the piano! I bless with my talents!
My toilets all sparkle! My checkbooks all balance!
Each week every child gets a one-on-one date;
I attend all my meetings (on time! Never late!)

I’m taking a class on the teachings of Paul,
But that is not all! Oh, no. That is not all...

I track my bad habits ’til each is abolished.
I floss everyday! My toenails are polished!
Our family home evenings are always delightful;
The lessons I give are both fun and insightful.

I do genealogy faithfully, too.
It’s easy to do all the things that I do!
I rise each day early, refreshed and awake;
I know all the names of each youth in my stake!

I read to my children! I help all my neighbors!
I bless the community, too, with my labors.
I write in my journal! I sing in the choir.
Each day, I write "thank yous" to those I admire.

I exercise and I cook menus gourmet;
My visiting teaching is done the first day!
(I also go do it for someone who missed hers.
It’s the least I can do for my cherished ward sisters.)

I chart resolutions and check off each goal;
I seek each “lost lamb” on my Primary roll.
I can home-grown produce each summer and fall.
But that is not all! Oh, no. That is not all...

I went back to school to update my degree.
My studying earned me a new PhD
I split with the Sisters who cover our ward
to spread that glad truth that the Gospel's restored.

I go to the temple at least once a week.
I make my girls' prom dresses- modest, yet chic.
My sons were all Eagles when they were fourteen!
My kids get straight A's! And their bedrooms are clean!

I have my own business to help earn some money.
I always look beautifully groomed for my honey.
I grind my own wheat and I bake all our bread.
I have all our meals planned out six months ahead.
I make sure I rotate our two-years’ supply.
My shopping for Christmas is done by July!
(It's out of the way early on for a reason.
I then can prepare for the real Christmas season.)

These things are not hard. It’s good if you do them.
You can if you try! Just set goals and pursue them!
It’s easy to do all the things that I do!
If you plan and work smart, you can do them all, too!

It’s easy!” she said…
...and then,
she dropped dead!

We are here today to say goodbye to our dear 'Sister Perfection'...

Okay, okay. To me she was not dear. It is because of her I had an enormous amount of guilt growing inside my mind. I have decided to...

This is my new book that I am reading and I love it! So many truths in it about the way we women tend to make guilt out of nothing! (Like me feeling guilty that I was buying this book rather than Pres. Eyring's, I almost bought both so feelings would be spared!?) I'm so excited!

For a while have been dealing with this idea of perfection. We as Latter-day women seem to think we are not okay, if we are not doing everything. I was totally frustrated and depressed. I was tired of being a mom, I felt I was not a very good one. I was tired of being a wife for the exact same reason! I just wanted to be plain Larae. I'm good at being her! Then I realized while being in mommy and wife mode for so long, I was forgetting how to be her. This book couldn't have come at a better time.