My mother is a amazing, my grandmothers are inspirational. I have a lot to live up to and an immense amount to be thankful for.
All children grow up thinking that their parents are remarkably smart and generally as they enter adulthood the myth is dispelled and people realize parents are just regular people. I'm 25 and the older I get the more knowledgable and wise my mother seems.
My mother seems to be an expert on everything from classical literature(she has read more books than anyone that I know)to maximizing home equity. She can sew virtually anything and creates her own patterns. She can create a gourmet meal from scratch no matter how empty the cupboards. She can silence a hopelessly upset baby. She can give valuable advice on what flooring to buy from Home Depot. I frequently go to her for insight because she knows alot about many things.
Most importantly my mother has taught me how to love. I think one of my very favorite memories of my mom will always be when she came to help after the birth of Liam. All week she aided in teaching me how to hold, bathe, feed, burp and care for my new child. I remember crying as she left to the airport. A feeling of panic came over me as I thought "When you go, how am I going to know what to do?!" I realized after she was gone that she had already taught me the most important lessons of motherhood as she loved me unconditionally. With this she has armed me with an arsenal of patience, perserverence, sincere prayer and a knowledge of my Savior, optimism, a sense of humor in difficult times, and the desire to shower my kid with constant hugs, kisses, and affection.
After having a child of my own I am only now beginning to comprehend her love amd how much work my mom put into me. My mom spent hundreds of hours driving to(and paying for) piano lessons, violin lessons, soccer games, cross country races, and a seemingly unending schedule of after school and social events. My mom juggled 5 kids yet found the time to express love and concern for each as an individual. She put up with tons (several years worth in my case :))of rotten behavior and still loves us kids anyways. That's skill. I owe so much to my wonderful mother.
My husband is a wonderful man, and definately a product of an amazing mother. Everything his mom Leisa touches turns to gold- her kids, her home, her art and music. . . .She is extremely efficient with her time and seems to be helping everyone all at once. She is very in tune with her kids' needs. She is a wonderful grandma to Liam. When we visit she packs Liam around pretty much everywhere she goes- her craft room, the grocery store, running errands, and gives him baths, teaches him songs, and gives him all the attention he could want. Liam is always talking about Nana or asking "Where's Nana? I wanna go to Nana's house"
My grandmothers are also steller mothers. They both have an incredible ability to take care of people. While I never lived in the same town as either of them they both have been instrumental in my personal development and have always been there for me when I needed them.
Grandma Hazel has 20+ grandkids and several great grandkids and still makes the time to write and send birthday, christmas and valentines cards to all of them. This past year she has been undergoing chemotherapy but still somehow found the energy to send me hand picked asian pears in the mail. She raised her 4 kids virtually by herself, often working several jobs to provide for her family. There has been many a time in my life when I have felt discouraged or lonely and grandma has changed my attitude with an inspired phone call. My grandma has been to every baptism and marriage of all her grandkids and still finds time to volunteer at the temple, or help with friends, family, and neighbors. She has the coolest stories and is a family history encyclopedia.
Grandma Marilyn is always good for a smile and a pick me up. She is a great friend. She has single handedly decorated my house for every holiday with her care packages. She flew all the way down to Utah from Fairbanks, Alaska just to see me graduate from BYU. She reminds me of my potential, and encourages me to go for my dreams. She tells me the sky is the limit and reminds me to have fun. In high school being a teenager I silently wished I was more pretty and talented. Grandma helped me feel comfortable with who I am and taught me to embrace and enjoy being myself. She has always loved me no matter how foolish or immature I have been. This summer I ran a marathon while I was visiting her in Alaska. With her on the sidelines I was sure that there wasn't a runner there with more support(not to mention the post race cinnamon rolls.)Everyone needs the type of cheerful, uplifting fan like Grandma Marilyn has been for me.
Happy Mothers Day!
