Jose Oliver's Reading

I'm thankful for spiritual promptings and the gentle reassurance to follow them. This last month I've been taking a creative writing class. The teacher was the poet, Jose Oliver. I really like his teaching style and have enjoyed a chance to write, as well as present. Last night, at a local bookstore, he did a reading of his own poetry. I was interested in going, but as the day wore on I changed my mind. I was tired, hadn't gotten ready for the day, there was lots of work to do and I needed some time with Elijah. But I felt very strongly that I should go. I wasn't sure why, and try as I may, I couldn't deny that it was the spirit telling me to go listen.

On a dark rainy night I found the little bookstore and went in. I was surprised by the size of the crowd and found a seat near some of the other students from my class. It was fun to talk with them for a just a minute. Then the evening began. The few students started by reading what we had written in class, a creative biography and a 200 word novel - mine were about motherhood and the importance of it. I really enjoyed listening to Mr. Oliver's reading. I didn't understand everything, as it was mostly in German and Spanish, but the sounds were still quite beautiful. As I sat there I thought and prayed, "Why am I here?" If it was so important for me to be here, then what was it?" I had grabbed a Book of Mormon and some pass along cards before I left home, at the moment not sure what I was going to do with them. But as I sat in that book store, I thought, "I won't lose anything by giving this book to Mr. Oliver. If it is awkward or unwanted, so what. I won't see these people again. On a more positive side, I do really like Mr. Oliver as a person, he is very kind and good. He mentioned he lost his wife early this year to cancer and I imagine he must be lonely and hurting. I know the Book of Mormon and the gospel could help." So I wrote a little letter and stuck it in the front of the book to give him after his reading.

When he was finished I stood to make my way to him. He was talking to a few other people, so I waited my turn. As I waited a woman, the owner of the book store came up to me and said, "I have something to say to you. What a wonderful piece you read. It is so true." She told me that she is also a mother, but is obviously older than me and it has taken her quite some time to understand and see the beauty of motherhood. As she looks back now she realizes all those little moments with her children were so important. She regrets the times she was too busy for her children and thankful for the times she wasn't. A while back Jacob University asked her to prepare a visual presentation for a week even they were hosting called, "Women in Leadership." She thought and thought, without any ideas, until finally it came to her. She created a large net and hung it from the ceiling. Then asked other mothers, friends or people she knew - who were mothers - to write something about motherhood. She rolled them all up in scrolls and stuck them in the net. At the display people were able to come up to the net, pull out a scroll and read it. She said it was the most wonderful thing to see, like people at a beehive. Originally she was very nervous about her idea. She knew this was not what the university had in mind and didn't know if they'd be pleased. Here they are having a week long even about women and power and her message is motherhood. I admire her courage to present what she knows is true power and leadership. We talked about the beautiful imagery of the net and how mothers and families are what keeps the net of society together.

She then said, it is so wonderful that you know this. But you are so young - how do you know? How and why do you believe what you do? I was surprised by her golden question. I told her that I knew of the divinity of motherhood because of my mother's example and by what my mother taught me. This is part of my religion. I've been taught that motherhood is the most important thing on earth and that it is divine. I had the Book of Mormon in my bag and so I pulled it out and said, "This is how I know what I know. This is a book of scripture that teaches me the plan. It tells me where I'm from, what I'm doing here and where I'm going." I told her she couldn't have this copy because it was for Oliver, but I gave her a pass along card and as I know where her bookstore is I can easily come back and bring her a book.

She asked for a copy of my writing, so she can add it to her net. She said it would be the only one from a woman so young and she thinks it would add tremendously to her display. I was really honored and pleased to find such a choice woman in Germany. I can't wait to follow up with her. When I send her my paper I also plan to send her a copy of The Family: A Proclamation to the World, share my testimony and offer to follow up with her.

By the time I was done talking with her Mr. Oliver had gone outside for his smoke break. I looked out the window and saw him in a large circle of people and felt more intimidated. I looked around the shop - it is beautiful, this woman also makes paper and book covers - I can totally see my friend, Brooke Nielson Stoneman opening a shop like this. Mr. Oliver came back in and came up to me. He thanked me for coming and I told him how much I liked his reading. He told me that the first poem he read was for me, he had also read it in class, so I recognized it - about a woman cleaning a church early in the morning - there is a lot of repetition and focus on time, it ends with the woman back home, holding a child and for a moment time stands still. It is quite beautiful. I asked him which of his books the poem was in, thinking I'd buy it. He told me it was in one of his first books and he didn't have a copy. But if I'd give him my address he's send me a copy he had written in for me. Very kind. It was the perfect opportunity to then give him a book. I told him it was my favorite: not poetry, but scripture and also helps me see the beauty in everyday life. He told me he would read it and I believe he will. He lives in Southern Germany, so hopefully the pass along card I put in the book will help him find any more information he needs and wants. He does also have my address now, so he can of course write to me and perhaps we can teach in touch.

The evening was beautiful and I'm so grateful I went, grateful that I listened to the spirit, grateful that I wrote about things I believe in and grateful that there are so many good people in the world.