Mom

I have the most amazing mom. Her whole life was dedicated to my dad and her children. I KNEW that she loved me, there was never any doubt.

I remember her telling us that we were "slobs" and "why can't you just pick up after ourselves". Oh, how I can feel her pain now that I am a mother of 5. But I have Andy and he helps me a lot with the house work. She did it all alone, men didn't help with that stuff back then. I just don't know how she did it.

She was beautiful. On the outside, but mostly on the inside. The kind of beauty that drew people to her. She was funny and she made you feel so good about yourself. She was a convert to the Church in her adult years. I am so so grateful that she had the courage to join & give me the greatest gift. Her life and the way she lived it was her testimony. The most beautiful testimony. I know that anything good that is inside me, came from her.
I miss her terribly, everyday.

I didn't know back then how hard it is to be a mom. Now I do and I love her even more. I wish I could tell her.

But I know that I will see her again. I am so glad that I know that.

Sealed in the Oakland Temple 1979

Mom, Dad, friends, me & my brother.

And now, look at me. A Mother. Of 5. Wow. Now I see how much she loved me. Now I know why she believed in me. Now I understand the greatest love you can feel. Being a mom is hard x5. Being a mom is perfection x5. THEY teach ME. About love & forgiveness & honesty & JOY.

Pure joy.

To honor her, I try to be the best mom I can be. Some days, I fail miserably. I yell, I lose my temper, I ignore, I fail. But I won't give up. She never did.

I love being a mom. I think I always knew I was born to be a mother (though I never knew how hard it would be!). I am so thankful for the beauty x5 that I was blessed with.

And for all the mothers I know who have blessed my life and made me want to be better because of their example.

Happy Mothers Day!