My oldest daughter is currently serving a religious mission in California. A couple of weeks ago she called and said “mom, I want to talk to you alone for a while.” This statement makes a mom’s heart fall into her stomach. I’ve been around long enough to know I need to brace myself for the worst thing my imagination could come up with; while at the same time be as cool and calm as if the request were nothing. The skill of combining panic and calm is a difficult one for me, but as a mother of 5, I get a lot of practice. I calmly took the phone into the other room and said “ok, what’s up baby?” She asked how I was doing. Wait, what? “Mom, how are you really? No one ever asks how you are really doing. How are you?”
So what if I cried…. a little bit. I gave her the answer I always give after that question. “I’m fine.” She asked again. Was I really fine? Actually, at the moment, I was. I was doing pretty well. But it was so nice to have someone really ask me and really want to know how I was doing. Later that day, I was listening to the radio and one of my favorite songs came on. It’s called “Truth be Told” by Matthew West. I’ll share the first verse and chorus:
“Lie number one: You’re supposed to have it all together
And when they ask how you’re doing, just smile and tell them “Never better”
Lie number two: Everybody’s life is perfect except yours
So keep your messes and your wounds and your secrets safe with you behind closed doors.
But truth be told, the truth is rarely told.
I say, “I’m fine, yeah, I’m fine, oh, I’m fine, hey, I’m fine”
But I’m not, I’m broken
And when it’s out of control I say it’s under control
But it’s not and You know it
I don’t know why it’s so hard to admit it
When being honest is the only way to fix it
There’s no failure, no fall
There’s no sin You don’t already know
So let the truth be told”
I have decided to follow my daughter’s example and take the time to double-check on someone I really care about. In 2008, Elder Wirthlin said :
“When we show concern for those who are weary, we “succor the weak, lift up the hands which hang down, and strengthen the feeble knees.” You might be surprised who around you is feeling weary. Pray about who the Lord would have you lift up. The next time someone asks, try being honest in your reply. Honest is the only way to fix it.
Joseph B. Wirthlin
Camille is happily married to her husband for almost 26 years now! Together, they are trying hard to survive raising their five kids. She has two adult children, two teenagers, and an 8-year-old. She has started her 18th year of homeschooling and is still trying to figure things out!
As a stay-at-home mom, Camille’s favorite things are reading books, electric blankets, writing, working on her “very little farm”, and dancing while doing the dishes. She needs to trademark her “mom dance” that the kids love to mock her over.
Camille is an active member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and is always wearing out her copy of the conference talks. When she is not in an apron or highlighting the latest book she is reading, Camille spends time taking kids to music lessons, debate tournaments, gymnastics classes, and wrestling competitions.
One of Camille’s greatest achievements is losing 75 pounds in the year 2020 and is on the way to releasing the last 25 pounds in 2021.
Camille currently resides in Utah, USA with her family.
You can connect with Camille on Instagram, Facebook, or on her Website.