My Mother

Today...I've been overcome with emotion several times as I think of my dear, wonderful mother! It's her birthday today and I woke up thinking about her and how incredibly blessed I am to have her in my life. Last year, my Dad wrote me a letter for my birthday and in it he said how proud I have made him and that it is because of my mother that I turned out so well...it's because of him too, but that letter meant so much to me because he went on to tell me all the ways I am like her and I was overwhelmed with gratitude for her influence on my life. You see, if there is any person I would strive to be more like, it is my mom! She is the most unselfish, kind-hearted, thoughtful, and forgiving person I know. As a mother she gave us everything she had to give, now that I am a mother, one of the things that I realize made such a huge impact on all of us was her ability to be there...I remember daily coming home and feeling so glad she was there. She would drop everything and listen, really listen to me. When I came home from dates, she would listen. I don't know how she did it, but she was there for each one of us and to this day all of her kids...(3 girls, 2 boys) call her a lot (some of us, everyday) we call when we are happy about something, excited, scared, nervous, frustrated or just because we miss her. She is always so encouraging and full of faith and I always feel uplifted after I talk to her. For as long as I can remember she has truly been one of my dearest friends. From a young age I remember finding notes she would write me and from that I gained great confidence, as she would always point out the good and make me feel so special. Her letters to me in college made such a difference and came just when I needed them, sometimes the timing was literally an answer to my prayers. She is very much in tune, to this day...a letter will come, a call or a visit just when I need the help. She is fun too...one of my favorite memories was of going to Disneyland with her, just the two of us, totally spur of the moment, I'll never forget that afternoon and evening. She was in YW for years and was the kind of leader that everyone just loved, I can remember her giving piggy-back rides and pulling pranks at girl's camp. She is so creative, something I did not inherit, but she can sew anything and creates incredible handmade cards. She is such a wonderful grandmother...calls just to talk to each grandchild and hear their voices, reads stories, sends packages, and always makes them feel so special. Did I mention she's wonderful!? She loves Autumn and Christmas...both of which I just love too. She always made our home have an extra special spirit at Christmas time and decorated every space in such a beautiful way, her Christmas tree is so amazing every year, it could literally be in a hotel lobby...I tell her that and she is ever humble. She joined the church after graduating from high school and is the only member in her family, when I think about what courage that took and all the good that has come to our family because of her testimony, I am so grateful for her faithfulness and the way she has lived her life. I could go on and on and on...I am so, so blessed to have been raised by such a woman. I think about her everyday as I have the opportunity to be a mother and often look to her example and goodness and it keeps me going to think of all I owe to her and hope I can be half the woman she is today! HAPPY BIRTHDAY MOM, I am so lucky that you are mine!!!