Marcie's Flowered Curtains: April 2013

Sunday, April 14, 2013

Queen for a Day!

(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!

About Me

I was born in San Pedro, CA to a Greek immigrant father and a mother who was first generation Greek, American born. They are two of my greatest heroes, and I express gratitude to them for not only giving me life, but for the incredible sacrifices they made for their daughters. I am proud of my heritage, but I "am not a hyphenated anything!" I am an AMERICAN.

I grew up in Long Beach, CA and was a proud "jackrabbit" at Long Beach Poly High. (Skit, skat, how 'bout that!) I graduated with my Associates from Long Beach City College. My transcript was sent to Cal State Long Beach, but I married the summer before entering, and worked to help my husband finish his education after his return from deployment to Germany. We divorced and my biggest regret in life is not returning to finish mine.

I married Paul in 1980, and helped raise his daughters who are now married with children. From the girls, we have five grandsons and one great-grandson.

Together, we have two awesome miracle sons, a precious daughter-in-law, an adorable grandson, and an angel granddaughter.

I have four sisters that are part of my heart and soul, despite our differences: Mary, Irene, Nicoletta, and Angeline. From them, I have twelve wonderful nieces and nephews, and numerous (32 and counting) grand-nieces and nephews!

After leaving Long Beach, we lived in Fallbrook, CA for seventeen years before moving to Orem, UT. I love the mountains, but I dearly miss the ocean.

My church is my life. You will see it reflected in my writings, my testimony of the Gospel, and my deep love for my Heavenly Father, my Savior and the Holy Ghost.

A Tribute to Joni Mitchell and Days Gone By

Teenage years are often the best years of your life but they can often be tumultuous times as well. Loosing Dad at the onset of my junior year was bad enough but then Mom had to venture out and go to work. Angie, my youngest sister and I often comment on how when Dad died, we lost our mom as well. These were lonely and very reflective days. I often found solace in my sanctuary...my bedroom. I painted the walls of my room a bright and sunny yellow, purchased navy blue curtains with bright colorful flowers, and spent hours listening to the sounds of Joni Mitchell and others on my "turn-table". I was so proud that I purchased these items with my own, hard-earned money! Joni Mitchell's songs reached deep into my searching soul and I totally connected with many of her lyrics. When I discovered the song "Marcie" on a newly purchase album "Song to a Seagul", I was quite excited. Marcie was not a common name back then at all and the words, for many personal reasons, felt like they were written just for me. So therein lies my tribute to Joni Mitchell...and days gone by.