Sunday on the Music and the Spoken Word broadcast, we sang an old song by Harry Belafonte called "Turn Around". This is a beautiful arrangement that the orchestra and choir sang so poignantly. The Lord has "blessed" me with leaky eyes and a tender heart; i.e. I get emotional very quickly and frequently. Today was no exception. The words hit home with me especially of late, which I will explain later.


The lyrics are:

Where are you going my little one, little one
Where are you going my baby my own
Turn around and you're two, turn around and you're four
Turn around and you're a young girl going out of the door

Where are you going my little one, little one
Dirndls and petticoats, where have you gone
Turn around and you're tiny, turn around and you're grown
Turn around and you're a young wife with babes of your own

So, this blog post is dedicated to my beautiful daughter, Michelle.


Michelle is my youngest and she, as a baby was everything that a proud papa could imagine. My wife wanted to call her "Molly", but I protested because I had an old girlfriend by that name. We settled on Michelle, but as my wife got her way, her nickname and what she was called since then was, yep - you guessed it. Molly. Having a young girl is fun because you get to dress them up fancy and mess with their hair. Actually my wife did that, but it was fun to see her all "girly-fied". :) She had an older brother who she trusted almost completely; who dared her to do things such as ride her bike down stairs and eat strange combinations of food. 


As I tried to instill music in my children, Michelle decided she wanted to play the flute, which was welcome. And as she grew up in school, she played in concerts, football games, and parades - all of which we supported her in.

Michelle grew up in the gospel, having attended Primary and Young Women, however after that she sort of parted ways with the church. My wife and I spoke about that often and have prayed over her (we still do), and have come to the mutual understanding that, "we teach them correct principles, and then let them govern their lives".  We still have hope and place our trust in The Lord, but are well pleased with her paths that she has taken of late.

Life was not perfect with my daughter and I especially as she turned into an independent teenager. We "crossed swords" many times, and said things that I know I regret saying. But through all of that, we had, what I believe to be mutual respect.


Before I knew it, I received a phone call from a very nervous man, who tried to meet with me in person but our schedules did not coincide. So, he asked me if he could marry my daughter over the phone, which we of course said yes. He is not a member of our faith, but is a good man and treats her like a princess. That's really all I can ask for. Michelle suddenly became a step-mother to his two girls which welcomed her warmly.

About 8 months ago, I received a phone call from Michelle, announcing that she was pregnant. October is when she is due and my wife will fly out to help her and welcome a new grand daughter into the world.

So, the song "Turn Around" made me once again reflect on how quickly life goes on. From a little baby in my arms being given a name and a blessing - to me dancing with my beautiful now-grown up daughter at her wedding. So, once again I say to parents of young children - cherish each and every moment because before you know it, they will be "...out of the door" "...with babes of their own".

I wonder how our Heavenly Father feels seeing his young Spirit children leaving His presence to experience mortality, and "turn around", we are done with our mortal probation and once again reunited? I'm sure He glories in our spiritual growth. So, with apologies to Harry Belafonte, I'd like to present this thought from the perspective of our Heavenly Father:

I know where you going my beloved spirit child
To earth, as a baby pure and mild
I'll turn around and you're two, turn around and you're eighteen
Turn around and you're the best missionary a Mission President has ever seen

I know where you are you going my little one, little one
I know what you have done
I'll turn around and you're married, turn around and you're old
I'll turn around and you've returned back to Me safely in My fold


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