A funny thing about mothers.
When I was three years old, my family went to Los Angeles. I will admit that I remember almost nothing about that trip. I have seen slides of Disneyland, but I don't remember. But there are memories of that trip, that, until I was older, and able to attend the temple, didn't make sense. You see, those memories were of the Los Angeles Temple of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. It was in that temple, that my brothers and I were sealed to our parents for time and all eternity, conditioned on faithfulness. We were all dressed in white, and there was, based on my three year old memory, a padded table in the middle of the room with cushions on the floor around it. I know now that it was an altar that is used specifically to join husband and wife, and if there are children, together, by one with authority. I don't remember the spinning cups, (seen the pictures), but I do remember that. Go figure.
Today, as I was in the temple here in Twin Falls, my thoughts went back to that event, but mostly to my mother. I speak often of the example my father was, as to how a man should be. I speak less frequently about my mother. Not because she wasn't an example, but exactly because of that. She was always the one that was there. While dad was at work (often working swing shifts, or graveyard, at the old TWA overhaul base in KC). Or off doing some service for church, it was always mom that took care of us. I feel sorry for her having to deal with me. And yet she did, in a very loving, and caring way. And all the while, she did plenty of service for others herself, But she was always there.
I am not saying she was perfect. She is not, but those imperfections are really hard for me to remember now. As life has gone on, she has had to face some pretty serious things in her life. She lost her father in 1983. When my dad retired, they moved back to Blackwell, at least in part, to take care of my grandmother. They did do a lot of travelling, but responsibilities with church and other good works they were involved in seemed to always be there.
When my father passed away, they had just celebrated their 50th Anniversary. This was the first time in my mother's life that she faced living as an adult alone, as she married right out of High School. She has been strong, even when no one would expect it. She continued to be the primary care for her mother, and together they did a lot of things that no one would expect of ladies their age.
Her mother died, having lived a century on this earth.
She has lost a brother, and a son. And she still goes on.
Today, she is a little older, and it is a little harder for her to get around. She still does though. I am not there to help her, and for that, I do feel sad, but at least I know that she has family around, with Sarah, and Ben and Tausha.
I was definitely not like my brothers in a lot of ways. They were like my dad in being very talented mechanically. My dad tried with me, but finally determined that I had "two left feet" for hands when it came to that stuff. However my mother always encouraged the more thoughtful side, and that is how I am most comfortable today. To read, To sing. I owe all these joys to my mother encouraging me. ( I wish that I had kept up on the piano, I really am sorry that I didn't)
I almost feel that the relationship that I have with her is so special that I don't want to be public, and yet, she deserves all of the accolades and more.
I am sure that she doesn't read this, or even know about it, but would love for her to see it to read it.
To sum up the page, I love you mom! You are the best, and I am so grateful for the path that you set me on!
Today, as I was in the temple here in Twin Falls, my thoughts went back to that event, but mostly to my mother. I speak often of the example my father was, as to how a man should be. I speak less frequently about my mother. Not because she wasn't an example, but exactly because of that. She was always the one that was there. While dad was at work (often working swing shifts, or graveyard, at the old TWA overhaul base in KC). Or off doing some service for church, it was always mom that took care of us. I feel sorry for her having to deal with me. And yet she did, in a very loving, and caring way. And all the while, she did plenty of service for others herself, But she was always there.
I am not saying she was perfect. She is not, but those imperfections are really hard for me to remember now. As life has gone on, she has had to face some pretty serious things in her life. She lost her father in 1983. When my dad retired, they moved back to Blackwell, at least in part, to take care of my grandmother. They did do a lot of travelling, but responsibilities with church and other good works they were involved in seemed to always be there.
When my father passed away, they had just celebrated their 50th Anniversary. This was the first time in my mother's life that she faced living as an adult alone, as she married right out of High School. She has been strong, even when no one would expect it. She continued to be the primary care for her mother, and together they did a lot of things that no one would expect of ladies their age.
Her mother died, having lived a century on this earth.
She has lost a brother, and a son. And she still goes on.
Today, she is a little older, and it is a little harder for her to get around. She still does though. I am not there to help her, and for that, I do feel sad, but at least I know that she has family around, with Sarah, and Ben and Tausha.
I was definitely not like my brothers in a lot of ways. They were like my dad in being very talented mechanically. My dad tried with me, but finally determined that I had "two left feet" for hands when it came to that stuff. However my mother always encouraged the more thoughtful side, and that is how I am most comfortable today. To read, To sing. I owe all these joys to my mother encouraging me. ( I wish that I had kept up on the piano, I really am sorry that I didn't)
I almost feel that the relationship that I have with her is so special that I don't want to be public, and yet, she deserves all of the accolades and more.
I am sure that she doesn't read this, or even know about it, but would love for her to see it to read it.
To sum up the page, I love you mom! You are the best, and I am so grateful for the path that you set me on!
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