Utah mother says everybody counts
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While growing up in Paradise, Utah, a small town in Cache Valley, Dixie R. Clifford learned from her parents how to focus on their family and still be involved in the community. Impressed early on from her parents' example, Sister Clifford, who was named Utah's Mother of the Year, has continued to follow their example and serve in whatever capacity she can, wherever she has lived.
"Everybody counts, and everybody has something to contribute," said Sister Clifford of the Heatheridge Ward, Orem Utah Heatheridge Stake. Referring to the scripture found in Alma 37:6, which reads, "by small and simple things are great things brought to pass," Sister Clifford said no matter your circumstance, all have something to give.
Whether raising three children, finding joy in her seven grandchildren or being involved in the community, Sister Clifford says an optimistic attitude is crucial to success.
"I've been blessed with optimism," Sister Clifford said. "I've had to do hard things, but kept optimistic. I know when it rains the sun is going to shine."
Whether experiencing a child's death, watching a parent battle cancer or experiencing an illness herself, Sister Clifford said staying positive only helps hard situations get better. A good attitude also makes it possible to get things done.
Most important in parenting, Sister Clifford said, is staying positive and loving children unconditionally.
"As a parent you would take your child's pain if you could," she said. "But you can't. They have to grow. They have to learn boundaries and parameters with self-control."
Through setting limits for children and allowing consequences to occur, parents are helping children to learn from their own decisions. Hope comes as parents show unconditional love and support with firmness, Sister Clifford said.
"If children know they are a son or daughter of God and that they are loved by their parents," she said, "they have a lot to stand on."
This is part of a series featuring LDS women who are their states' Mother of the Year and Young Mother of the Year representatives. The features will alternate between Mother of the Year and Young Mother of the Year state representatives.
