Happy Mother's Day...

Tomorrow is Mother's Day.  I know that many believe that this is just a holiday intended to boost the sales of cards and flowers.  I hope you don't feel that way. 

Each of us has a mother, obviously, but not all of us have had a mom.  Biology makes a mother, love makes a mom.  I happened to have a loving, lively mom.  I don't know anyone who was a harder worker.  Not only did she work full time as a school cook (back when they actually cooked in the schools), but she cooked at home, swept, mopped, did laundry and lawn work, and anything else that needed to be done.  She was always the first one awake in the morning and the last to go to bed at night.  She, along with my dad, raised eleven children - most during the depression.  They lived through the loss of one infant, and mom lived through the loss of dad.  She was a strong lady.

One of my favorite memories of my mom was her love of fishing.  To go fishing was such a thrill for her - she LOVED it.  I always got a kick out of her when she caught a fish.  It was almost as if every time was her first time.  After I was married and living in Montana, she would come and visit and we would take her fishing - either to the ponds in Three Forks or on one of the streams in the area.  She was thrilled every single time she caught a fish.  It was such fun to watch.

One funny story about my mom was one Sunday I had a couple of friends over after church for dinner.  We were sitting around in the kitchen while mom was putting the final touches on dinner.  I noticed her searching in drawers, cabinets and everywhere else earnestly looking for something.  I said, "Mom what in the world are you looking for?"  She said, "I can't find my meat fork anywhere."  I told her she needed to look in her left hand.  There it was.  It had been in her hand all along.  We all had a real laugh over that one.

My other favorite memory of my mother was seeing her sitting in "her chair" reading her Bible.  In some ways I regret that we buried it with her.  I would love to have it today.

My mom has been gone since 2003, and I think of her every single day.  I know where she is and that I will see her again one day.  Some days I feel like she is watching over me.

This past year we also lost Bruce's mom, Sue.  Sue and my mom were very different, but so similar too.  Sue left a great legacy of love for her entire family and many, many friends.  I know that her children and all her grandchildren miss her sorely. 

I know that my mom knew I loved her and though I miss her, I don't feel like anything was missing between us.  The same goes for Sue.  On this mother's day, don't leave anything left unsaid.  Tell your mother you love her and cherish her - she won't always be there.