To the mothers in my life...

Happy, Happy Mother's day! While Freud may say that Mother's day is an expression of something less noble, I am so thankful that there is a day set aside to honor our mothers. A couple of days ago, Reese was discussing a problem that he was having at school, and Debbie, with that motherly gift of intuition and love, very profoundly and simply taught Reese concerning Heavenly Father's love and how it applies to his life. I couldn't help but think of the scripture, "And they doubted not their mothers knew it." I was so humbled by the strength that my wife has as a mother in Zion. I wish she knew the power and influence that she currently has with our children. I only catch a glimpse of it, but I am certain that our Father sees all the valiant efforts of our Mothers and is happy to know that His children are in the capable hands and hearts of mothers striving for their eternal welfare. I am so grateful that Debbie is an amazing mom. I wish she could see the good that she has done already and give herself the credit that she deserves as a valiant daughter of God.
I know that I have been greatly influenced and blessed by my own mother, and in ways that I'm sure I'll never fully comprehend until we are all reunited in the eternities. My mom was there for me when I needed her, ready with a heart to listen with and a plate of hot cookies! She was there through good times and bad times. I am thankful for her imperfect strivings to bless me and my brother. Her efforts did not go unrewarded.
I am also grateful for the mother of my wife. Her influence is felt throughout our family and we have been blessed by her steadfastness.
Finally, I wanted to acknowledge the influence of my grandmothers. I am so grateful that they are yet alive to see grandchildren and great-grandchildren as products of their day in and day out sacrifice for their children's well-being that is still being felt through the generations.
I found this poem that I thought would encapsulate some of the gratitude and recognition of a mother's influence in all of our lives.
Before I was myself you made me, me
With love and patience, discipline and tears,
Then bit by bit stepped back to set me free,

Allowing me to sail upon my sea,
Though well within the headlands of your fears.
Before I was myself you made me, me

With dreams enough of what I was to be
And hopes that would be sculpted by the years,
Then bit by bit stepped back to set me free,

Relinquishing your powers gradually
To let me shape myself among my peers.
Before I was myself you made me, me,

And being good and wise, you gracefully
As dancers when the last sweet cadence nears
Bit by bit stepped back to set me free.

For love inspires learning naturally:
The mind assents to what the heart reveres.
And so it was through love you made me, me
By slowly stepping back to set me free.

-Unknown

Happy Mothers Day Debbie, Rose Marie, Denise, Grandma Packard, Mama Carol and Grandma Geiger! We love you!