Lady Cady

Faith * Family * Life

Shelter

Life is always an adventure! Sometimes it seems the world is nothing but a crazy depressing place to be, right? For me, it’s hard to not feel down about the future and life in general when in that Hole. Thankfully it doesn’t need to be that way! Everyone has a different place to turn for love and warmth that fight that cold and darkness. (Also helps to stay away from News Holes and depressing people in general. You know who I mean. We all have them in our lives.) For me, my kids and my husband are the joy that lifts me up. They can make me laugh over the silliest things. What’s yours? Make sure you hold it tight and never let it go. ❤

When the world is cold and dark,
I know just where to warm my heart.
I watch two little dirty feet
Bring a smile to me, to meet.
I watch two little brothers play
And laugh and play the day away.
Admire the beautiful work of art
From my daughter’s artist heart.
Soak in the little baby smiles –
They lift and carry me for miles.
Laugh and smile at a joke well told
By my son, worth more than gold.
Find peace and strength in a warm embrace
And always love in my husband’s face.
And while the world may always be
As cold and dark as it can be
I know that warmth is always found
When my loved ones are around.

When Dog Was Little {My Favorite Book!}

I came across this priceless treasure recently on Thriftbooks. It may not be priceless to you, but it sure is to me! This little book was my very favorite little book when I was a younger. It was my first love when it comes to books. I made anyone and everyone read it to me over and over and over. And over. I think everyone I knew had it memorized because I had them read it to me so much. I even remember my grandma who lived in a different state quoting it. 🙂 I would look for more Little Dog books while my mom got a cart at the store each time we went.

The book is all about Little Dog and the things Little Dog did before he got bigger and went to Nursery School. Like sleep in a crib and learn to talk. And get dressed all by himself. I may have loved it so much because Little Dog was so much like me!

Once I outgrew it and moved on to longer books, I could read all by myself, my mom put it away for safe keeping because it was such a treasure with so many memories by that point. But then after my mom died, so many of her things disappeared including my favorite Little Dog book. So, when I found it on Thriftbooks, I was thrilled! It was only a couple dollars and still in pretty good condition! Apparently, it was loved by a girl named Holly instead though. Do you think she loved it as much as I did? Probably! 🙂

As soon as I opened it and read it, I remembered it like I had never lost it. I was so happy to have it back! I wish my mom was here to laugh with me at how much I made everyone read it to me. But at least I found another copy to treasure all the memories this little book helped create. Life is so short and so precious. That’s one of the things that makes kid’s books so magical. It’s a shared experience with people you love. I hope you too have a favorite book somewhere out there and you can treasure and love forever. Even better if it is one that you have shared with someone else.

I’ll Rise Above

The last few years have been difficult for me personally. Several areas in my life I thought were safe spaces, I’ve encountered critics and mockers. Sometimes in small ways. Sometimes in ways that left me in tears. Sometimes in ways that leaves me fighting panic each time I encounter those people now. Each time pulled me down a bit and forced me to dig down deep to figure out what was important. To grow a little more and become stronger. Maybe you too have critics in your life. If so, together let’s rise above those prideful critics and be who the Savior needs us to be.

You laughed at all the things I did.
Then laughed at all the things I said.
Your mocking often wore me out
And left me full of dread.
Your lack of kindness followed me
And wore me down each day.
Sometimes I barely found the strength
And I’m not sure what to say.
But in the darkest place I fell
I found a bit of light.
It lifted up and rescued me
And I now see with a different sight.
I see that you will always be
Where you are right now.
But I’ve been down to a place of rock
And I’ll make it to the top somehow.
I simply have nothing else to lose
But everything to gain.
And while your mocking hurts me now
The Savior took my pain.
He is the friend who stays with me
And cares for where I go.
He stays with me so willingly
And cheers me as I grow.
And so, I know each day I try –
And try and try again,
I’ll soon be passed how blessed you are
And never be there again.
You will stay in your comfort place
Mocking all the day,
Where your pride keeps you there
And not on to a better way.
So go ahead and laugh at me,
And laugh at what I do,
For I now know within my heart
Mediocrity is meant for you.

Dreams {A Poem by Madalyn!}

I had a birthday a few weeks ago. I’ve had a lot of crazy birthdays in my life, (like my grandma died on my birthday one year for instance) and my birthday often causes me a great deal of anxiety, so my family tries hard every year to make it a great day. This year, Madalyn spent all her hard-earned money on a sweet little box of gifts for me. There were some snacks, a candle, a card, and a little notebook and pen. (She knows me well! 😉 )The best surprise was a little poem I found in the inside cover of the little notebook. A little poem that she wrote herself just for me! Of course I’ll treasure it always. ❤

Dreams
By Madalyn Cady – Age 10 (May 2022)

Grab your dream
And hold it tight.
Never let it
Out of sight.

Rainy Days

We have had a really wet, cold Spring so far here in our corner of the Pacific Northwest. It doesn’t feel like summer is officially starting in less than a week and it’s hard to believe my poor family in Arizona are having opposite weather with heat and summer wildfires. But secretly I am loving our weather this year! I know it’s causing issues with crops and most everyone else probably hates it, including my motorcycle loving husband, but I am a rain lover, so my soul is happy, happy, happy. 🙂

Oh, what a beautiful day!
So very wet and very grey.
I love the soothing, steady sound
Of rain falling quickly to the ground.
I love the freshness that fills the air.
That replaces my worries and silly cares.
I love the calmness all around.
The quiet of not many other sounds.
I love the promise of a brand-new start.
The happiness it brings my heart.
And with each gentle pitter patter
My soul refills for things that matter.
And so, I breathe the cool air in
Grateful for this day again.

A Simple Choice

We live in such a lucky time period! Yes, there are terrible things in the world but there are equally wonderful things in the world as well. We live on the earth when there are living prophets and apostles to lead and guide us. We can study their lives and their teachings. Even still, for some people that is a hard choice to make. And others make that choice but it’s not easy to always be obedient. Sometimes, it’s all about a change in perspective. Reminding ourselves that it really is worth it, and the Savior is always only a simple prayer away, waiting there to help us!

As I listened to the prophet’s voice
I knew I had a simple choice:
I could love and heed his words
Or claim each one simply absurd.
The choice was really up to me,
Which side I made the choice to be.
With those who found his words to lack,
Another burden on their backs.
Who find their happiness in play.
The casual, slothful, popular way.
Or I could keep the peace of mind
That comes as I stay firmly aligned
With the Savior’s spokesman today
Who humbly leads and guides the way.
A place where if I always stay,
Happiness can’t help but come my way.
Really, what an easy choice.
Of course, I’ll listen to a prophet’s voice.