(This is actually kind of funny. I was asked by the Bishopric to write the article for the May Ward Newsletter. I have been so busy with work, church and many personally issues, that I found a moment to sit down and write the article in plenty of time before the editor's deadline. I emailed it off to the Bishop earlier this week for his mark of approval. Lo and behold, it ends up in the April edition. Needless to say, I was surprised. Apparently the editors contacted the Bishop to let him know that they had not received the monthly message for the April newsletter yet. There obviously was some confusion because he forwarded mine on to them. So, it's a month early, but I'm good now. My assignment is done and I don't have to stress over it any longer. Bishop Soper was just grateful I was not offended. LOL!)
Queen for a Day
Ward Newsletter, May 2013
Marcie Molnar, Primary President
During a recent conversation with my sister, I was reminded of the television series, Queen for a Day. The series is considered a forerunner of modern-day "reality tv" and opened with the host asking the audience, "Would YOU like to be Queen for a day?"
Each interview was conducted by the host, in a positive and upbeat manner in spite of her circumstances. He would first ask her about her family and her life. Then the woman would be asked what she needed the most and why she wanted to win the title of Queen for a Day. Most of the requests were for medical care, but sometimes it was a simple request for a new appliance. Often the women broke down sobbing as they described their plights, and the host quickly comforted them offering a clean white handkerchief to dry their eyes.
The winner was then selected using the classic "applause meter". The harsher the circumstances, the likelier the studio audience was to raise the applause meter to its highest level. The winner, to the musical accompaniment of "Pomp and Circumstance" would then be draped in a sable-trimmed red velvet robe, given a glittering jeweled crown to wear, placed on a velvet-upholstered throne, and handed a dozen long-stemmed roses to hold as she wept, often uncontrollably, while her list of prizes was announced.
The prizes began with the necessary help the woman had requested, but built from there. They might include a trip, a night on the town with her husband, silver-plated flatware, an array of kitchen appliances, or a selection of fashion clothing. The losing contestants were each given smaller prizes; no one went away from the show without a meaningful gift.
The host's trademark sign-off was "This is Jack Bailey, wishing we could make every woman a queen, for every single day!"
My sisters and I watched many such episodes with my mother as she sat wiping her own tears as they streamed down her cheeks. Oh, how we longed to submit her application to the show as we struggled with many of the same plights in our own family life. I can to this day, still visualize my mother on the throne, adorned in the queenly attire, and sobbing. In my mind, she deserved to be queen every day.
We are all reminded on Mother's Day of the value of the women in our lives. We reflect on the work that they do and the service they render, the unselfish acts of compassion and the sacrifices they make, many of which go unnoticed and without reward. Many days end with exhaustion and tears endured, as they do their best to carry their burdens with dignity.
I am so grateful for a church that acknowledges and reminds us that we are daughters of an exhaulted being who loves us, princesses and queens in the making. How great is our roll and our contribution. May we search the scriptures always for the words and peace that bring comfort to all women during times of joy and times of adversity and feel of His love that we might know that in His eyes, we all ARE a queen (in the making) for every single day!
