17 different women, 36 crazy children, 0 babies in utero
Adventures, Advice and Questions from a group of Mormon women who met in Queens, NY and have now scattered all over the place.
 

Thursday, February 02, 2006

Sweet Spirit


I have noticed a lot of general authorities and other Priesthood leaders who practice a “general-authority-speak” and are in positions of speaking to large congregations, often comment on their wife’s “sweet spirt”. Whenever this happens I cringe because if my husband ever said that about me, it would be a lie. I can’t believe that every single one of these women is sweet through and through.

Whenever I hear this phrase I wonder what would be a fitting one-word description of my spirit. My first choice of course is sexy, but I don’t think a spirit can be sexy without a body, although my mind is probably 80 percent of my sex appeal—we all know it’s not my boobs (thank you two children). [And if you don’t know that, go check out the ‘chives.]

So what is a fitting description for me and also appropriate across the pulpit? I want to know yours…when the DH says: “My wife has a such a _________ spirit,” how would you fill in the blank? (And if you just read this, you have no excuse but to respond, because it takes one, count 'em one, word).

PS Thanks Snarky for the pic. It is perfect for this post, except for the big boobs.

posted by Kage @ 2/02/2006 05:43:00 AM   add to kirtsy


25 Comments:

  • wild :)

    That would be the truth, while not entirely appropriate for sacrament meeting, I suppose. Other words I'd appreciate? Strong, courageous, honest.
    posted by Blogger Julie at 2/02/2006 06:44:00 AM  



  • Kage,

    How about "special"?

    :P
    posted by Blogger Kaimi at 2/02/2006 06:48:00 AM  



  • I feel the same way. I think of the time one of Elder Monson's daughters described him as saying to his wife, "Gladys, some cheese and crackers would be nice." And she hops up and goes and gets it.

    That just gags me.
    posted by Blogger annegb at 2/02/2006 06:57:00 AM  



  • I am also really bugged by, "Pres such and such and his beautiful wife are here with us". He has the authority, the title, and the main speaking role, but she's got the looks, darnit.
    posted by Blogger Belle at 2/02/2006 07:22:00 AM  



  • complicated.
    posted by Blogger Robyn at 2/02/2006 07:38:00 AM  



  • Dh would probably say intense or a little bit insane. I would prefer strong, compassionate, service-oriented. Enigmatic would probably be the best one, though. Sometimes I don't know what the heck is going on inside me, on oh so many levels.
    posted by Blogger Heather O. at 2/02/2006 07:51:00 AM  



  • Incorrigible, Precocious, or I think "Sprightly Spirit" has a nice ring to it.
    posted by Blogger Em at 2/02/2006 08:02:00 AM  



  • How about just "goddess wife" ? Okay really, why is there a tendancy to call the wife some thing other than just "wife"? why do we need to have something extra attatched? I feel most comfortable in public when I am treated equally, in a subtle non attention getting way. Does that make sense? CAlling your husband a "Sweet spirit" sound pretty stupid doesn't it? Why should it sound so smart on us?
    posted by Blogger Rachel H at 2/02/2006 09:59:00 AM  



  • friendly

    Not quite as crazy and clever as other comments, but I think that's something I love most--friendship.
    posted by Blogger Katie at 2/02/2006 10:00:00 AM  



  • how about forgiving? They know we put up with a lot right?

    Although I love Em's "Sprightly". I checked the dictionary's definition of that one. . .
    "Full of spirit and vitality; lively; brisk"

    that should cover it.
    posted by Blogger wendysue at 2/02/2006 11:22:00 AM  



  • I agree...it's cliche. But picture in your mind some of the GA's wives - sweet is definitely a word that comes to mind. Maybe that is a prereq for becoming a general authority, your wife has to have a sweet spirit. In which case, my husband is in the clear.

    Kage: you have an infectious spirit (not in the disease sense of the word)
    posted by Blogger Melissa at 2/02/2006 11:26:00 AM  



  • "super" --and you must give a double thumbs up when you say it ("super spirit"!)

    One time I went to a meeting where the speaker was introduced like this (more or less):

    "We're so glad to have Jane Doe here with us tonight. She's a wonderful person that has given so much to her family and the community. We're happy that her husband, John Doe, is here as well, since he will be our speaker."

    Of course, everyone laughed, but I thought it was quite nice. :)
    posted by Blogger Cheryl at 2/02/2006 11:34:00 AM  



  • Reminds me of a JRCLS meeting/party when we were being introduced and introducing our wives. After I introduced mine, the next one prodded her husband and said "say that" ;)
    posted by Blogger Stephen at 2/02/2006 04:21:00 PM  



  • At this point in time I'd like my dh to say strong, adventurous, or survival spirit - that's a good one! It's funny though, when I think of the GAs' wives they remind me of my grandma - and she definitely had that sweet spirit. I kinda hope by the time my dh and I are up there (in years) we'll both have sweet spirits... that we'll have learned a lot along the way.
    posted by Blogger Beth at 2/02/2006 04:27:00 PM  



  • The word I would pick would be clever. I know that my cleverness is definitely what got my husband's attention in the first place.
    posted by Blogger Starfoxy at 2/02/2006 08:50:00 PM  



  • Someone at ZD said 'salty' and I've taken it as my own.
    posted by Blogger Julie M. Smith at 2/02/2006 09:21:00 PM  



  • I think I'm going to go with 'spunky'. "...and his wife Arwyn, who has such a spunky spirit."

    Yes. Yes, that will do.
    posted by Blogger Arwyn at 2/02/2006 09:37:00 PM  



  • ding ding ding ding ding! Arwyn wins...if you clicked on the __________ in my post, you would have seen that mine was spunky too. I really liked the definition that dictionary.com provided. spirited, plucky. This was fun...thanks everyone.
    posted by Blogger Kage at 2/03/2006 05:07:00 AM  



  • Seeking.
    Anarchist.
    Confused.
    posted by Blogger Ann at 2/03/2006 11:05:00 AM  



  • I asked my husband and he replied "resourceful", then "wise", then "nurturing". I would have picked "spunky" or "sprightly" for myself but after awhile I liked what he had to say.
    posted by Blogger chloe at 2/03/2006 11:53:00 AM  



  • My hubby said fiesty. He also said spitfire, but that's kind of like cheating since spitfire is one of my screen names. I think I'll take it anyways!!
    posted by Blogger Mo at 2/03/2006 10:31:00 PM  



  • Mine said naughty. I would have hit him if he had said sweet though... after all, that's what boys call the reject girls. It always bugged me in conference when they would say sweet spirit.
    posted by Blogger Mika at 2/03/2006 10:41:00 PM  



  • I hadn't even clicked on the _______ -- spunky has been my favorite adjective for many years now. Cool that we think alike! :)
    posted by Blogger Arwyn at 2/04/2006 08:51:00 AM  



  • My husband just laughed and said, "it depends on where we're at at the moment." I think he would say "entertaining pain in the ****" I don't know if you guys allow cussing.
    posted by Blogger annegb at 2/05/2006 05:38:00 PM  



  • I would say "fiery" and I think my dh would say the same.
    posted by Blogger This is Carrie at 2/06/2006 08:20:00 PM  



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