The Girl in a Whirl
by ‘Dr. Sue’
(a.k.a. Vickie Gunther)

Look at me, look at me, look at menow!
You could do what I do
If you only knew how.

I study the scriptures one hour each day;
I bake,
I upholster,
I scrub,
and I pray.

I always keep all the commandments completely;
I speak to my little ones gently and sweetly.

I help in their classrooms!
I sew all they wear!
I drive them to practice!
I cut all their hair!

I memorize names of the General Authorities;
I focus on things to be done by priorities.

I play the piano!
I bless with my talents!
My toilets all sparkle!
My checkbooks all balance!

Each week every child gets aone-on-one date;
I attend all my meetings (on time! Never late!)

I’m taking a class on the teachings of Paul,
But that is not all! Oh, no. That is not all …

I track my bad habits ‘tileach is abolished;
Our t-shirts are ironed!
My toenails are polished!

Our family home evenings are alwaysdelightful;
The lessons I give are both fun and insightful.

I do genealogy faithfully, too.
It’s easy to do all the things that I do!


I rise each day early, refreshed and awake;
I know all the names of each youth in my stake!

I read to my children!
I help all my neighbors!
I bless the community, too, with my labors.

I exercise and I cook menus gourmet;
My visiting teaching is done the first day!

(I also go do it for someone who missed hers.
It’s the least I can do for my cherished ward sisters.)

I chart resolutions and check off each goal;
I seek each “lost lamb” on my Primary roll.

I can home-grown produce each summer and fall.
But that is not all! Oh, no. That is not all …

I write in my journal!
I sing in the choir!
Each day, I write “thank you’s” to those I admire.

My sons were all Eagles when theywere fourteen!
My kids get straight A's!
And their bedrooms are clean!

I have a home business to help makesome money;
I always look beautifully groomed for my honey.

I go to the temple at least once a week;
I change the car’s tires!
I fix the sink’s leak!

I grind my own wheat and I bake all our bread;
I have all our meals planned out six months ahead.

I make sure I rotate our two-years’ supply;
My shopping for Christmas is done by July!

These things are not hard;
It’s good if you do them;
You can if you try!
Just set goals and pursue them!

It’s easy to do all the thingsthat I do!
If you plan and work smart, you can do them all, too!

It’s easy!” she said …

… and then she dropped dead

That was my life for several years. I didn't die, but I became very sick, even though my body was fit enough to get through two hours of aerobics a day. I got ulcers, cystitis, irritable bowel, insomnia, anxiety attacks. I didn't care, because I liked being skinny and perfect-looking on the outside, as I was dying inside.

My doctor said I would not get well, unless I got rid of all the stress, so I kept on doing the things I loved--mostly to do with my children and home--including the dancing and sports--and got rid of the garbage that I hated--mostly to do with the cult. It was easy for my husband to lead me out, and take our children with us. I just got better and better.

You've got to publish your poem somewhere!