I just adore this picture of my mom. I couldn't tell you how old it is - a good 10 years probably. It is an absolutely perfect depiction of my mom's nature (and my dad's too for that matter!) She LOVES surprises, adores attention and doesn't let any emotion get buried! There are so many things I love about her.
My mom didn't get to finish her college education once she started having kids, but never let that stand in her way of her goal of one day proving herself to be "as smart as my Dad." When Sarah started kindergarten, my mom went back to school. She had to start from square one - and she graduated with a Bachelor's degree in Social Work the same year I graduated from high school. Amazing! But that wasn't enough for her! She was determined to get not only her Master's Degree, but her PhD. She convinced the powers-that-be at Utah State to let her write her own doctoral degree program in Research and Evaluation. She planned out what classes would need to be completed, what her dissertation would be on, and how she would do it. And she certainly did not take the easy way! It took a little while, with a few breaks here and there (not to mention a lot of prayers from everyone), but she did it! She graduated in 2006 from Utah State University with her PhD.
Growing up, my mom was very self assured and confident. She was the captain of the debate team, part of the Hostess Royalty (like our Homecoming Royalty), did something for the boys swim team (don't ask me how she got that gig), was incredibly smart yet didn't let anyone (not even the teachers) push her around. One of her favorite stories is how she and her friends picked up - literally - the principal's car, parked it inside the school's front lobby, and posted a sign outside changing the name of Miami High School to "Knolls Animal Farm" (Mr. Knolls was the principal she had a few run-ins with)!
When she graduated from High School, she went to BYU, where she met my dad her first year. She was a Sunday School teacher, and he was in her class. They were engaged by Valentines, and married that following June. Looking back, she definitely sees the Lord's hand in her life. Her life certainly isn't what she had planned as a teenager - she wanted to be a marine biologist, wasn't planning on kids, and certainly never saw herself with 6 of them by the time she was 28 years old!
My poor mom has had her share of health problems. Nearly everything that can go wrong with a body has gone wrong for her! There have been more than a few holidays spent visiting Mom in the hospital! Truly, against most odds, the Lord has kept her around for a reason though!
She recently was called as the Relief Society President after her ward boundaries changed, and she and my dad ended up in a new ward. It has been an adjustment, at least for me, getting used to visiting this ward full of strangers when I go to church with my folks when we're in Logan. I miss all the familiar faces we used to see (although I don't miss the teeny super-squishy benches in the old building). However, I know this is where they are needed. For so many years, my mom stood in the shadows (a place she's not super comfortable in) while my Dad was the Stake President. She was so supportive, and had huge burdens placed on her raising us kids during our teenage years while my dad was in church meetings. Now the tables have turned. My mom is front and center, and my dad is the self-proclaimed "pack-horse" hauling my mom's stuff around. I love to see the two of them support each other like this. I especially love seeing the opportunity my mom has to share her love and her talents with so many people now.
I know this is kind of a random, history-filled blog entry. Those of you who know my mom, know that she and I are very very different. She loves the spotlight - I HATE attention; she craves social gatherings - I really could do without them; she is so artistic and creative - I can follow a pattern, but creativity is not something I inherited; she usually has something to say - most of the time I prefer listening. However, there are a few things that about myself that I can attribute directly to my mom:
- Her compassionate heart - I find it easy to empathize with people, and I know that's from her.
- Her love of family - I love being part of anything my family is doing (and that's saying a lot coming off of a VERY family-filled summer!)
- Her thirst for knowledge - I only have a smidgen of this in me compared to her, but my brain's desires to know more and more come from her.
- Her work ethic and strength - Now I know I'm not as strong as my mom is (she took a dent out of a car by herself!), but I'm pretty tough and I see the job through, just like she does.
- Her love of Diet Coke - Unfortunately she's off the juice now, but I make up for her - that is, when I'm NOT pregnant!
- Her love of all things "brown" - Yes - unfortunately I inherited this from her as well - we both LOVE our chocolate!
- Her mechanical mind - This seems kind of weird, but she and I can put things together. This mostly gets put to the test with some sort of cheap Wal-Mart furniture or something like that, but we know how to read directions and come out with the finished product! (Trust me, there are those in our family - who shall remain nameless - who DON'T have this gift!)
- Her testimony - My mom never passed up the opportunity to share her testimony. When we were kids we all shrunk in our seats when she would stand at the pulpit in church (she knew how to embarrass us, and usually did!) However, I have never once doubted where she stood on her beliefs and faith. Both she and my dad have unequivocally spoken and LIVED their testimonies of Jesus Christ. For this I am forever grateful, and hope that I can be that kind of mom and example to my children as well.
Happy (late) birthday, Mom. I love you!
3 comments:
For a girl who says she ins't a write -that was put together beautifully. What a perfect tribute to mom!
Thanks, Mach.
Wow, what a woman your mom is! And 6 children by the age of 28?!! Got her PhD through all those years of planning and work? Incredible!!
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