Happy Mother's Day, Mom!

After church today I laid a blanket out in the back and wanted to just relax and soak up some of the beautiful sunshine. It is a gorgeous day.

As I was laying there just looking at the blue sky and the beautiful nature surrounding me I started thinking about my mom.

I think the purple flowers reminded me of her. I was just at her house last night doing her hair and we were talking about how her mother's favorite color was pink. She had pink carpet, pink couches, pink walls and even a pink HOUSE!

Well my mom's favorite color is purple. She absolutely loves it. I am so happy that she has not yet painted her HOUSE that color! A purple house like Grandma Bernard's would be a little much! I really need to pick some of these purple tulips from my yard, and take them over to her and tell her thanks for the wonderful job she did of raising me.

I was definately NOT an easy child to raise but she survived it. I gave her a Mother's Day card yesterday that said something like....Aren't you glad I wasn't TWINS!! That would have been a nightmare!!!

I gave my mom so many heartaches and disappointments over the years. I was an angry mixed up kid. No matter what stupid choices I made in my life she stood by me. She always had hope that I would turn my life around and change. She was constantly praying for me.

I will never forget the day that I surprised her and my dad on her birthday. I had not gone to church much of the first part of my marriage to Lee. We were inactive about 9 years or so. When I decided to change my life and get things in order I got a temple recommend and the first time back to the temple happened to be on my mom's birthday. My sisters and my friend Marnee' came with me and we did not let my mom or dad know about it . My parents came that day to meet up with my sisters (never imagining I would be there) I remember the look on her face as she walked into the chapel and saw me sitting there with my sisters. Tears were streaming down my mom and dad's faces and I was the happiest I had been in years. This was one day that I think I finally made her proud of me. I wanted so bad to make up for the times I had caused her pain. Her dream was to some day have all of her children in the temple at one time. Well this day she had "her favorite" children with her.....Her daughters! It was a special day and I will cherish the memory of that day always!

This is the only picture I have on hand with my mom and sisters. She had just had surgery on her eyes.

It was strange to see my mom laying down for once. My entire life she was the one caring for everyone. When we were sick she was there with the "vicks vapor rub" and a towell. When we fell down and got hurt she was there with that NASTY orange "stinging medicine" or hydrogen peroxide. With six kids in the family she was always on the go with one child or the other. She was quite the nurse. I had terrible allergies and I can't tell you how many times in my life that she cared for my swollen sore itchy eyes. They were horrible- so bad I could hardly even open them. She applied tons of eyedrops, ice packs and cold washcloths. She always knew how to make you feel better.

My dad was very sick for years and the time and dedication she showed toward him was amazing to me. She spent hours and hours tending to his every need. Whether it was helping with the medication, meals, ice packs or heat packs she was there. (Except I don't believe she ever did the insulin shots- I think that freaked her out to much) My dad was in so much pain for so long and I know that the love and tender care she gave to him helped him handle that trial he had to bear.

The speaker at church today talked about the touch of his mother's hand and it totally reminded me of my mom. She had the most incredibly soft hands. I remember she would stroke my forehead when I was ill and I remember how she would caress my dad's arm, hand and forehead as she sat by his hospital bed. She definately has the gentle touch. You could feel the love she had for you by her tender caress.

My mom had a Fairy Tale marriage. My dad came and literally swept her off her feet. The love that they share is something that is really rare to find in these days. He treated her like a queen and was not afraid to show her love. No matter who was around! I remember we'd be visiting and just out of the blue he would pinch her bum and say..."I feel pretty bum!" I remember how they would play chase tag around the house, even when he was so sick he was hardly able to stand. I remember how they would sit hand in hand or kiss for no reason at all. I remember how they would "CRAWL" to their celestial room for nighttime prayers. I remember the gentle ways that they spoke to each other. I am so happy that I had a wonderful example of how to act in an eternal marriage. They were a perfect example of how it was SUPPOSE to BE! That is what I am striving for in my marriage to Howie. Thank you mom for that great example. You have no idea how many times I wanted to be a wife like you. You were amazing.

When my dad finally passed away I really worried about my mom. He was her LIFE! She has developed strength, determination, and independance since he has been gone. She does a little TOOOO much and sometimes finds herself hurt. LIKE RIGHT NOW!!!

You will often find my mom wearing one of my dad's "Ties" just to get her through some of the HARD days. Anything to help her feel connected to him. She misses him terribly and often talks about how happy she will be when they are finally reunited.

Mom thanks for your courage as you have faced the past few years alone without dad. I know it is quite tough at times but I want you to know that I really look up to you and admire you for your strength.

My mom served a LDS mission to Alabama with my dad. They did a wonderful job and were able to share their strong testimonies, their love, and their amazing talents with the people in Tuskegee. I look forward to following your example of missionary work someday soon with the love of my life, Howie. You have always loved the gospel of Jesus Christ so much and have been blessed with an obedient spirit and a powerful testimony. Thanks for raising me in the church of "Happiness"

Since my dad has been gone we have been able to spend a lot more time together. The time that sticks out in my mind the most was Education Week right after his passing. What a spiritual experience. It was nice to go to the different classes with her and to learn and grow in the gospel. The very last class of the week was a Kevin Hinckley class on recognizing the spirit. This particular lesson was about how our loved ones are closer than we think. How they are angels among us. The experience that my mom and I had in that class that day is so sacred to me and I could never fully explain it BUT..... It was a powerful testimony builder to me about how we will be with our loved ones again and they are close by just rooting for our success. Mom thanks for that very special, emotional, tender moment we shared that day. It is one of the highlights of my entire LIFE and I will never forget the feeling in that room sitting beside you. I love you mom and so does dad!

I have been able to travel with my mom to visit family members and we had a great time. Thanks for showing me the importance of staying close to your brothers and sisters. Families are so important in our lives. You have taught me the importance of loving them unconditonally. Thanks for that wonderful example. I am still working on it!!!

My mom has accepted my "new love" with open arms.

Thanks mom for welcoming Howie into the family. That has been something I always hoped for. You treat him so well and I think he really considers you as his own mom. He is always telling me how wonderful you are and can feel of your sweet spirit.

Most importantly thanks for being such a wonderful "GRAMS" to my girls and my grandkids. They love you so much and look forward to visiting with you. (Hey I like dad's Christmas tie)

I know that my grandkids think it is awesome to visit with you.... Many times they cry when it is time to leave. They love the cookies, the jellybeans, the dolls and playhouse, the PIGGY BACK rides (at age 70 something) but the thing they love the most is how you make them feel. Thanks for being a super grandma to them. Ooooops....I mean "GRAMS"

Sharing gelato with Grams......

Just a few more things that I love about my mom....

I love how she would let me go out and do yard work instead of staying inside to clean the house.

I loved how she taught me how to can fruit when I was young. She would let me skin them and place them down in the jar using the Big spoon. Wierd how that sticks out in my mind so much!

I love how she taught me how to iron my dad's shirts....."JUST RIGHT!

I love how she cares for and works in her yard. Her flowers are absolutely beautiful.

I loved her delicious homemade bread....especially the MONKEY bread! Yummmmm!

I love how everyone is welcome in her home. People are always stopping by for a visit. She has a little hotel thing going on there!

I love how she was able to manage her money and taught me the importance of staying out of debt. It amazed me how she has so much with very little money!

I love the strong testimony and dedication to the church.

She is a super teacher and takes so much time and effort to prepare. I loved going to her house to find her lesson for the week and visual aids all set out down stairs, I would sit and listen as she shared it with me.

She has been blessed with many, many talents and the one that I think she has really excelled in is that of being a MOTHER.

We are basically complete opposites on most things but I feel so blessed to have my mom in my life and to learn and grow from her example. We have gotten so much closer over the years and feel so honored to call her my mom. She has helped me out emotionally, financially, spiritually, during the trials in my life. She has often sent me letters or trinkets to help encourage me to believe in myself. She has a way of showing you that you're cared about and loved. She is amazing and I wanted to dedicate this blog posting to her on this MOTHER'S DAY!

I love you, MOM

THANKS!