Dear Mom:
As we celebrate Mother’s Day, I decided to post a tribute to you since I cannot be with you today. I have entitled it, “Things I Have Learned from My Mother” because over the past few years as I have been on my own, I realize how much you (and dad) have taught me and how much those things have helped me become the woman I am today. Though many of the things I mention below were taught by both you and dad, not only did you teach them to me together as my parents, but also through your individual examples as a mother and father.
Mom, you are a great example of service to others. My entire life I remember you doing things for the ward, our neighbors, friends, and family. But you didn’t just do what was expected, you always went above and beyond. I remember you taking us kids to do the “12 Days of Christmas” for a struggling family or our friends and teachers, or taking banana bread to people in the ward who needed something to brighten their day. I remember taking the mail to the mailbox, and many times the letters being sent were cards to others. Visits, dinners, phone calls, responsibilities as a team mom, participation in the PTA, giving rides in the Nelson bus, offering to take care of kids on our sports teams so they could make it to our games, planning activities and lessons for church callings…Mom, I want to have a life full of service because of your example. How you gave your time and talents to others while raising four kids and supporting a husband who worked over the “full time” hours is beyond me. I am forever amazed.
Through your service to others, you have also taught me how to be a devoted wife and mother when the opportunity arises, and until then, how to be a loyal and dependable friend. Growing up, I don’t recall a time when you complained about dad being gone for work or church callings. You supported him 100% in all that he did, even when our finances may not have been ideal for a family of six, you made the best of the situation. I loved watching you and dad together, as you spent time together. I remember when dad would come home from work, you two would figure out a way to have some one-on-one time together as a couple. As I watched you love dad, and show that love for each other in so many different ways, it has taught me how important it is that my family knows how much I love them, because as we know very well, you never know when that loved one will be taken from this earth. Dad was #1 in your life next to your children. Even when you both argued, you always worked things out and made up in the end…divorce was never an option in your relationship, which has taught me how important the covenant and sealing power of marriage is, and how important it is to endure and work things out in relationships. You gave 100% to us kids, helping us with school projects, attending all of our activities, driving us where ever we needed to be…I only remember you missing a handful of soccer games, most likely because the boys had another event at the same time. You have taught me the importance of family. “Family comes first” is what you use to say when it was a decision between hanging out with my friends or being at a family activity. You and dad created traditions in our family that pulled us closer together, you taught us to support each other in all aspects of our lives. Our family mission statement holds as true today as it did the day we composed it as a family.
You have taught me how to have fun. How important it is to be able to laugh at myself, how to “roll with the punches,” how I shouldn’t take crap from anyone but not to burn bridges as I stand up for myself and for what I think is right. You taught me to be responsible, and how important it is that when you do something, you do it right. You taught me about the importance of commitments and keeping those commitments. You taught me how to take care of a house….and believe me, until I lived with roommates who didn’t like to take out the trash, clean the bathroom or do the dishes, I was never more grateful to you for making me re-do a cleaning job because it wasn’t done right (and I appreciate more those roommates who know how to do those things the right way!) You taught me proper manners which I have learned is so important to use in our world today.
From you I have learned to be well-rounded and have a love of learning. Though soccer has been my main focus throughout my life, you encouraged me to be open and love other things as well. A love of nature and the world around me as we traveled to Yosemite, our weekly family trips to the mountains, and even our travels around the world together as we have learned about the history of different cultures. A love of music as you encouraged me to learn two musical instruments, sing in choir, attend symphonies and theatrical performances. A love of people who are different from me….you taught me to be a friend to everyone regardless of their appearance, interests, socioeconomic status, social status, race, etc. You have helped me to enjoy doing activities that help me use my creativity such as art, sewing and cooking…I know you are laughing, but every once in awhile, I pull those things out of the woodwork and make some little creation…all from watching you and learning from you. I may not be the best at them and I still have a lot to learn, but because of your enjoyment in doing these activities and from when you had us do these things with you, I have to enjoyed using them in my personal life.
Last but not least, you have taught me and reminded me constantly the importance of living the Gospel, following the example of our Savior, and standing firm to the doctrines and principles taught through the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
Thank you Mom for being the wonderful woman you are. The example you have shown by word and deed has influenced me in becoming who I am today. Though we haven’t (and still don’t) always see eye to eye on things, know that I love you, admire and respect you. I thank Heavenly Father for you, not just today, but everyday. I love you Mommy!!!!! Happy Mothers Day!
