Today's is my mom's birthday and it's a big one. She told me that when she was a little girl she asked her mom how old she was. My grandma said "36" and my mom thought that was so old so, in my mom's eyes, she has been old since she turned 36.
I wasn't really sure how to pay tribute to my mom on her big birthday so I thought I would come up with a list of things she's taught me to do, the type of person she is, basically, the ultimate mom list. Here goes:
She taught me how to bake.
She instilled in me a love of music.
She didn't let me quit the swim team my freshman year of high school.
She emails me pictures from my childhood.
She taught me the importance of family time and traditions.
She drove to St. George to spend my 21st birthday with me.
She showed me how to be a caretaker to a little baby.
She baked small loaves of bread for me and my castmates in the high school musical I did my senior year of high school. They
She taught me how to sew baby blankets and now I'm making some of my own.
She encouraged me to make friends in all the places we moved.
She (and my dad) showed me the importance of sticking to your principles, even when it's hard or unpopular or when all your other friends get to go to the 8th grade dance ;)
She is devoted to the gospel.
She cried when we told them I was pregnant with William. Like, a lot of crying.
She takes time to serve others.
She counsels me.
She loves going to movies and eating movie-theater popcorn.
She is a fantastic grandma to William and that will only continue with baby #2.
She pursues her education in many different ways.
She learns new skills and uses them to serve other people.
She is a great typist so she records funeral services and transcribes them for people.
She shows me the importance of listening to your body and the importance of rest.
She married my dad and went to work full-time so he could finish his degree. She chose to get married and have me instead of finishing her college degree. Now, I'm six months from finishing my SECOND college degree. When I freak out about my classes, she motivates me to keep going.
My mom is many wonderful things. But the most important thing is that she's just my mom and she does a great job at continuing to mother me even though I'm a mom now, too. My mom is also my friend. She is someone I can always turn to and I cherish the times I get to spend with her, especially now that she lives so far away. When I went to college in Idaho I was thrilled to be 18 hours from my family. Now that they are a measly 10 hours away, I find myself aching to be with them more often. I'm blessed with great in-laws, but it's not quite the same. I wish she could be here to spend more time with William because she is a wonderful person and I want him to know and love her just like I do. My dad is sure lucky to be married to my mom and she's lucky to have him.
Happy birthday, momma. You inspire me to be a better, kinder version of myself every day. I try to emulate your spirit of service and love in my own home. I love you so much.
Love, Denise
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