Mothers, how do you love?

I usually begin thinking about Mother's Day on May 1st. I think about it not so much because I am a mother, but because I believe in mothering. I have many mothers in my life and for as long as I can remember, I have considered what it means to be a mom. I began this consideration by watching women and how they behaved toward children; and people in general. I made definite decisions early on about what characteristics I felt made a good mom. I have tried to emulate these characteristics since I felt I was old enough to "act that way".

I'm sure it's no surprise to you that the characteristic I admire most in mother's is their Love. My mom is a great example of love. I have always known she loved me. When I was a little girl, she would cut my sandwich anyway I asked her to. She read to me consistently and allowed me to play outside in the dirt, climbing trees and catching polliwogs. There was a joy in our home when I was very little, before we started moving so much, that I wait to feel to know that what I am doing is correct. She has always listened to me and would say the right thing at the right time. When we talk on the phone, I am able to say whatever is on my mind and she nevers makes me feel like she is in a hurry to get off the phone, or that what she has to say is more important. I know she prays for me everyday. She always shows me in her smile and in her voice how happy she is to see me. I am completely and totally accepted by her and always will be.

There are many other mother's that are a part of my life, either in memory or daily, that have loved me. Grandma Fessler is my Dad's mom. I knew she loved me because she told me constantly. She sent me cards in the mail and told me how good-looking and smart I was. She told me I could do anything I wanted. She taught me about having good manners, and being responsible and filled with integrity. She taught me to love education, however I received it. She taught me how to "come out of my shell" and start a conversation with someone. (I'm still not great at that, but I'm much better than when I was young) Grandma Fessler passed about several years ago, but I feel her presence with me continually.

Grandma Melton loved me because I was her daughters daughter. Grandma Melton is sweet, all about family, and memories. there is nothing more imprtant to her than her family and making fun memories with them. She taught me to love my ancestors by bringing out boxes of pictures of her people, my people, and telling me their names and what she knew about them. Grandma will be turning 95 at the end of this month. A big Luau has been planned to celebrate with lots of great food and fun activities, but what I look forward to is sitting next to her and holding her hand, listening to her advice and telling her I love her. We know she will soon be called home to her Heavenly Father but I will hold her hand while she is here.

Sis. Poulsen taught me to look for a man to marry who honored his priesthood and could/would bless our children. I remembered that lesson just in time!

Sis. Bogh and her husband paid for me to go hiking with the young women. I had no money, and no way of making any money because I made my money babysitting; but, I was new in town. I was not known to people yet.

Sis. Ewell always welcomed me so warmly when I was at her house. And she taught the young women lessons with firm, sweet faith that I could not doubt that what she was teaching was true.

These three women, my mom and my sister Judy, took my wedding dress just days before my wedding and spent hours fixing the mess that was made by the woman who had a crush on Bart. They fixed it just in time, and although I was unaware of the work that went into fixing my dress until months after, I did feel very loved on my wedding day by these women.

Judy is that last mom I will talk about. She is my sister. She is my confidante. She is my comic relief. She inspires me to be my best and motivates me to action. Even though we were at each others throats while growing up, she is the one who instigated our friendship as adults. She loves me and accepts me. She wants the best for me and is careful with me when sharing bad news so as not to hurt my feelings.

With the celebration of Mother's on Mother's Day comes the question, which my children have lovingly already asked me, "What do you want for Mother's Day?" All types of media will tell us that we need jewelry, clothes, home decor, clothing and chocolate to make our Mother's Day complete. Yet, in answer to my children's question, I say, "What I want for Mother's Day is for my Mother(s) and my children to know how deeply I love them. I want them to know that they are everything to me, they help me to become who I can become and not settle for who I am. This is what I want for Mother's Day. Oh yeah, and World Peace".

So, with this in mind all you mother's out there in blogland, my question to you is, How Do You Love? I look forward to your comments!