Elder Jeffrey R. Holland, one of the 12 apostles of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, said, “To all our mothers everywhere, past, present, or future, I say, ‘thank you.’ Thank you for giving birth, for shaping souls, for forming character, and for demonstrating the pure love of Christ…to all mothers in every circumstance…believe in God and yourself. You are doing better than you think you are.”
In celebration of Mother’s Day this year, I would like to highlight my own mother, as well as the mother of a good friend. First, I’ve asked my two sisters to share their thoughts on my most spectacular mom, Cheryl Humphreys!
My mom is foundational to who I am. No one has had a stronger impact on the development of who I have become. She is still the first person I turn to when I have a question that really matters. She is also the one who gets REALLY EXCITED for my good news. I certainly didn't deserve the faith she had in me while growing up. How she had such confidence in me, I don't know. It is the part of her I most wish I could emulate with my own children.
My mom boosted our confidence and built a strong sense of worth in us in at least two important ways. First, she thinks we are interesting! She loves to hear our stories and wants to spend time with us. I remember thinking I must be the most fascinating person in the world because Mom always wanted to hear what I had to say. Equally importantly, my mom isn't critical of others. She doesn't care how they dress, how they talk, the way they grew up, or where they are in their own personal journey. She just isn't interested in criticizing. She sees potential in everyone. And she sees their efforts. For that, she congratulates them. Having a mom who has faith in people and believes in their strengths and builds on those strengths, means that you grow up believing that others have faith in you and are hoping for your success. As kids, we did not see the world as critical of us and were not beset by many of the insecurities which comes from fault-finding. That is an enormous and lasting gift. Precious. And a key to success.
My mom is extraordinary. She has spent not one moment of her life wasted. I don't think she is capable of wasting time. She reads important books, and writes them! And thinks long about crafting good character. I do often pause, in random moments, and think about how much of who I have become, I owe to her.
Love you Mom.
Jeannie
Being my mother’s daughter is a joy, and having her as my guide is a gift.
God knew I needed her the day I was born, as I lay in her arms, looked up at her face and heard her familiar voice. He knew I needed her on my first day of school, wearing my deep pink corduroy jump suit, setting off to independence. He knew I needed her on all those days of doctor appointments, surgeries, hospital stays, and solutions. God knew I needed her when I moved away to college and missed my everything – every day. He knew I needed her enthusiasm when I called home and told her all about how much I was loving college, just like she did. He knew I needed her when I found love, and shared with her why I wanted to marry. God knew I needed her when Hayden was born and I found motherhood, and then again with Emma. He knew I needed her to be excited for me when I said we wanted another one, and he knew I needed her when Maggie arrived. God knew that I needed my mom. From the very beginning. Just like she needed her mother, and before her, my Grandma needed hers. And so, it goes, and so it is. Still. As time began, and as time moves forward, daughters need their mothers -- and mothers need their daughters. Still
Love,
Amy
And lastly, a good friend, Dave Boatwright, tells of a poignant moment with his Mother:
After I had awakened in the hospital in SLC after the big accident, I looked around. Scared, confused, feeling alone and in some serious pain, there was mom. I'm in the ICU without any concept of time or even what day it is, and I look over to see mom curled up asleep on a little cot that they had set up for her at my bedside. I drifted in and out and every time I woke to look around, there she was, day or night. For three weeks, she stayed by my side, throughout the whole experience. Sometimes she would write in a journal that I had never seen before, and never saw after it was over. I asked her if I could see it years later, and she said she lost it, but dad told me she got rid of it because it had too many painful memories. She was my rock.
Mom also loved to garden and passed that love down to me. I can remember her out tending the flower beds and vegetables, patient and slow, making sure to leave everything better each time. I plant flowers with mom in my thoughts and it makes her absence just a bit easier
Love,
Dave
Happy Mother’s Day to ALL mothers no matter where you are in life. We celebrate YOU!
