For Mama

Mama,

Thank you.

Thank you for, well, everything. For life itself. For everything you've taught me-- how to sing, how to play piano, and especially how to love.

Thank you for all the joys I've been blessed to experience. For the opportunities I've had to go to school. For my talents that you've helped me develop. For driving on all the band trips (GO!!! . . . KATE!!!). For making my prom dress and for sewing sleeves on my drum major uniforms. For teaching me about modesty. For teaching me about the Gospel, that I am a daughter of a loving Heavenly Father. And also that I am the daughter of two loving parents here on earth who cared about me enough to pass on every bit of their social awkwardness so that I would not be married too young and I could stay with them a little longer. But really, thank you. Thank you for making our home the place where I have always wanted to be, because I know that it's the best. Thanks to you, of course.

Thank you for all the hugs, kisses, and "I love you"s. For all the laughing. For all the times I've cried to you (which never happens, you know). For the times you've cried to me and let me comfort you. And for all the times we've laughed so hard we cried, like the time we spoke in horse latin for hours on end, and realized the hilarity of laughing in horse latin. . . . halafa halafa halafa! And for becoming my best friend, especially when I had no others.

Thank you for falling asleep on the phone with me. Multiple times. Especially that time when we both fell asleep and didn't realize it until the next morning. That will always make for a good story :)

Thank you for always being patient. For the chuckles and good-natured eye-rolling whenever "Tratelyn" came over to play. A lot of people would never have been able to cope with such obnoxiosity.

(PS, I spell-checked that, and it's actually a word!!! Nice!)

Thank you for still letting me sit on your lap while you're at the computer, even though we've both been too old for that for a long time. And for the kisses on the cheek before bed, though I suppose no one is ever too old for that.

Thank you for being disappointed with me when I did stupid things; that let me know that you trusted me to do the right thing. Thank you for having faith in me and knocking some good sense into me when I needed it. Thank you for loving me no matter what silly things I've done.

Thank you most of all for teaching me through example about motherhood. I have always wanted to be a mother. Seriously, I do not remember a time that I have not had that desire. I know that this is because of you, because of the patience and faith and grace with which you have nurtured and supported our family. I remember being a kid and watching you eat a bowl of cereal, usually standing up with one leg crossed over the other, and I used to always try to imitate the way you would chop your spoon into your cereal to cover it with milk. I could never get it right! But I wanted so badly to do it just like you did. All I could ever do was stir it around, though. Maybe when I come home later this summer you can teach me?

Thank you for showing me, in a world that often diminishes the importance of families and of mothers, that it is a divine role, and that it is not only a responsibility, but an enormous blessing. Thank you, Mama! I love you so much.

Happy Mothers' Day!