Thursday, July 9, 2009

Memories of Mom

Memories of Mom:
I remember my Mom and Dad teaching us about Bearing Testimonies during Family Home Evening one night. To be an example, my Mom told us she would bear her testimony in the next Testimony Meeting. I remember when she stood up ... she turned around and her beautiful red/brown hair spun with her (and yes, her hair is still beautiful red/brown without the help of any coloring).

I had to make sure that any English Homework help occurred before 7:00 p.m. After that time, I couldn't be guaranteed that her help was correct; her brain shut off at 7:00 ... she got up at 4:00 a.m. each morning to make sure we were all prepared for the day.

Lists (Weather for the day, activities and times). Duty Charts. Running our home like a well greased machine.

Rubbing my Dad's hands with "Moo Cream".

Making the best meals ... Meatballs and Rice didn't taste the same if it wasn't burnt. She always made sure we had the best of ingredients when our Grandparents visited. Home cooked meals every day. We rarely ate out; finances just didn't allow it with 7 kids.

Seeing the excitement while shopping with Mom on the day after Thanksgiving when she came across a couple of items she had been hoping to find. I had to convince her to pick them up for herself. She NEVER spent money on herself, and rarely does. She always thought of others, and still does.

Hearing the stories she would share about the road trips she would take as a little girl.

Always at home when we needed her (or didn't need her, she was still there. A constant. That didn't happen with my other friends growing up).

Family Council. My mom always made sure it happened ... even when the kids dragged it on F O R E V E R with their comments!

My mom attending the School Board meeting. She brought one of our favorite Momonad posters (gossiping) to make a point. She was standing up in behalf of our principal Mr. H. Her point was made. Much needed. Well taken.

Photographs. Mom always took pictures of us and saved the negatives. Even though money was tight, Mom made sure that she documented our activities and memories.

Always reading great books (how did she find the time?). She would read different books about raising children and then going to her knees in prayer to see if this was the right path to take with one of us (or all of us). She is a great example with this.

Hanging a picture of the temple in our bedrooms. A goal to shoot for. One that I saw every day.
There are so many more things ... She is a great example!

Happy Bday Mom ... soon!

1 comment:

Dick said...

Wow ...thanks for the kind words. It's fun to see what you recall as important. We all have wonderful memories to cherish. Dad sat down and read these too. He was quite touched by your comments.

love, mom