My Mother

My mother has always believed in us, her children, but rarely had patience for our self-pity.  If we were not doing well in some area of our life, we just needed to work harder and things would get better.  My mother always expected our best and we gave it to her and to ourselves.  My mother always roots for the underdog whether it be in football or life.  That's how my mother and Leora became such good friends; Mom stopped by after Paul cheated just to offer support.  I still wonder at the pain my Mom felt when Leora passed away so suddenly.  How she must miss her, but Mom keeps moving forward in life because things like that happen.  My mom is tough.  She drives alone to Billings to work in the temple each week.  I'm not sure I would be that dedicated.  She has worked through painful or annoying medical issues, downplaying them when asked if she is okay.  My mother always let one of us have the last piece of cake or slice of pie or biggest bowl of ice cream.  My mother has served her siblings and parents most of her life, starting at a very young age to care for them in various ways.  And she has never resented it even when they've not been the kindest or most cooperative.  My mother made good choices without much support.  She went to seminary in high school, attended church alone, and married in the temple even though she didn't really have parental support.  My mother has always been loyal to my Dad.  She sacrifices things she'd prefer for him.  Many people said their marriage wouldn't last because they were both too stubborn and hardheaded.  My mother took great pleasure in proving them wrong (59 years together and counting).  And I've learned that although life isn't always smooth, you don't quit.  My parents have had their fights and hardships, but they kept going - together.  My mother is practical.  My mother doesn't care if something is fancy as long as it works.  And I think I've inherited that from her.  As long as the item does what it needs to do, we're good even if it isn't the latest trend or style.  It's hard to capture all that my mother is.  She hasn't had an easy life, but she doesn't complain about it, so I rarely stop to remember either.  Instead my Mom focuses on good things like her kids and grandkids.  Oh how she loves her children and grandchildren and great grandchildren.  And they love her.  She is a pillar of strength in our family.  She is an amazing grandma.  She loves and supports us all and we all carry a little bit of her with us - a bit that we are proud of.