There are so many things that I love about my mom, I don't even know where to begin. You know I never really had a clue how much love and sacrifice my mom put into all of us until I became a mom myself. Now I just want to go back and kick myself for any grief I ever caused her or stress that I added to her life.
First off let me say, that I cannot even IMAGINE how unbelievably hard it would be to raise 7 kids. I have four, and I'll admit some days I just think I would be better crawling under a rock because I feel like a failure. I go and go and go all day long, there is someone always needing something, and still I feel as though I am not doing enough. I think most mothers all feel like this. But I only have half the kids that my mom had. Somehow she managed to keep us all clean and tidy, our house presentable, and had us seated up in the second row of church (and on time) every Sunday. And for most of my life my dad had a calling where he couldn't sit with us, and she would sit by herself with all seven of us kids and keep us under control. Mom, I have no idea how you did that. I admire you, that's all I can say.
She also made sure that we did our chores every morning before we went to school. At the time I thought it was ridiculous to clean the house at 6 in the morning. But now I appreciate it, because it taught me how to be a good mother and to be willing to be a hard worker. She also made sure that we read scriptures and had family prayer ever morning as a family. Because of her, our family is a strong family unit where we have always felt loved. She made sure that we had strong values and taught us the importance of honesty. Even if it was something as small as someone giving us to much change or an extra item, she would take us back to the store and have us correct the mistake. That taught me that even when no one knows, it is still important to do the right thing. She was a very fun mom, and every time we had a project or activity to do I could see how much she loved helping us create things. I realize now that my mom sacrificed so much day in and day out to do nothing but stay home and clean, cook and take care of us. There are so many other things I am sure she would have loved to do or would have been very talented at, because she is a very talented lady. But instead she did what she thought was most important and sacrificed it all for us kids.
Mom, I love you, I hope I can be even half the mom that you are to us. I miss you more than words can say and it is so hard only seeing you once or twice a year. I try not to think about it or it makes me cry. I treasure the time that we spend together and hope you have the mothers day that you deserve.
