Tomato Vines, Arches and Women

Earlier this week I went out to our garden to harvest a few tomatoes for my salad. One particular tomato vine has been quite impressive at producing copious amounts of beautiful, delicious fruit. The vine itself is a little worse for wear and has required substantial additional support for each of its fruit laden stocks. I have been impressed how this specific plant has been able to surpass its expected size and bounty.

Last week in Arches National Park, Wall Arch collapsed. I have visited wall arch a few times, most notably on our honeymoon. I posed underneath the expanse of many of the arches there and marveled at the delicacy of the sandstone and wondered how long each would be able to stand. Paul Henderson, a representative of A.N.P., stated in an interview "The arch was claimed by forces that will eventually destroy others...gravity and erosion."

Last night I went with a group of women to see a film aptly described as a "Chick Flick". The movie itself wasn't really my cup of tea, but sitting there with women and watching a story about women unfold proved to be quite moving. After the movie ended one lady in our group stopped short, turned around ,and said "If I don't say this now, I never will...I really needed to be with other women today! I'm so grateful for all of you." This made us all cry and hug as women do.

This experience set my mind off on all sorts of thoughts. I thought of my little tomato vine and its fruit and how many women I know laden with the fruits of life (i.e.children, career, marriages). I thought further of the necessity of additional support each woman needs as she completes her duty of nurturing family and others in her life. I thought of the majestic and beautiful arch. How lovely and delicate in nature and yet doomed to succumb to gravity and erosion. Women are also quite lovely and unique. There is never one like another. The ravages of life, childbirth,caring for children, and aging can weigh down on them and erode their zest and zeal for life. Women are remarkable to me. I see the power and ability in each of them just as I am aware of the fragile and delicate nature of their hearts. Forever wondering "Am I pretty/smart/educated/nurturing/etc., etc., good enough?". How important it is to take care of women! To take care of and support one another! I think President Hinckley said it best: "How thankful I am, how thankful we all must be, for the women in our lives. God bless them. May His great love distill upon them and crown them with luster and beauty, grace and faith."