mom

Dear Mom,

Thank you for being my mother.

Thank you for being the reason I celebrate today.

Thank you for teaching me right from wrong. And thank you for teaching me that there are always consequences. Your voice is the moral compass I hear in my head. 

Thank you for being the greatest example. You are the mother, wife, daughter, grandma, neighbor, sister and friend that I hope to be. You love and serve so much and so thoroughly. You are constantly helping everyone around you - even when it isn't convenient.

Thank you for showing me what true faith looks and feels like. Your unfailing example of faith taught me about the gospel. It taught me about God, and his mercy, and that the power of prayer was real. Your testimony of tithing was contagious and we learned the blessings that come from obedience through simply doing. You showed me what having a testimony meant, and what a righteous woman is and should be.

Thank you for showing me how to have fun. Some of my favorite memories are of our family just sitting around being consumed with fits of giggles. You showed me that we didn't need fancy toys or devices to have a good time. You taught us to talk and joke and laugh and just enjoy life. You showed us the importance of being a good sport and how to engage in friendly competition. But always, always, to be gracious... whether in winning or losing.

Thank you for being so supportive of my endeavors. You always encourage me in whatever new hobby or interest or talent I'm trying to develop. You made me believe that I can do anything - in part, because you seemingly can do just about anything, yourself. You taught me that it was important to be well rounded in your talents, and I believe that most of my talents came from you. Whether inherited, cultivated or encouraged, my talents are all directly tied to you.

Thank you for having eight kids. I can't imagine our family any smaller. I am so grateful for so many siblings. I know it wasn't easy. We are all energetic, and bouncy and I can only imagine how exhausting and expensive it was to keep up with us. Thank you for staying home with us and being with us and involving yourself in our lives. Our family is. the. best. And it's almost all because of you. (Dad gets some credit...) But really. We know its mostly because of an amazing mom.

Thank you for everything you do for me. For raising me. For being there for me. For laughing with me. For crying with me. For cleaning my house. For doing my dishes. For being silly. For being on my side. For helping me see another perspective when I am otherwise blinded. For being my hands (literally... and figuratively...). For always smiling. For loving me. For teaching me. For never giving up on me.

I love you, Mom.

Thank you for teaching me what a mother should be. I can only hope to be even a fraction of the mom to my kids as you've been to me. You are the best. Ever.

Happy Mother's Day.

Love,
Shan