A Mother's Day Tribute To My Family

As I am far from our family this Mother's Day, I feel a great need to share my feelings about my children, their spouses and our grandchildren.

In my Patriarchial Blessing, I am told that "I am especially honored and blessed to be a mother in Isreal, but it places upon me great responsibility to rear my children under the influence of the Gospel that they may grow up to be worthy members of the Church and a power and influence for good in these last days."

I am proud to be married to their father for 43 years. I won't say they have all been "blissfull", but I am grateful for the Priesthood he righteously holds and uses daily. I am very greatful to Father in Heaven for allowing me to rear seven of His choice spirits. This is the only photo I have of all six living children. It is many years old, but I love this picture. It was taken at a very special time.

Each of our children are loved for their own individual qualities. They have become caring, loving, compassionate adults. We love their spouses as our own. They all have their own trials and hardships to deal with, as do we all, but they have become stronger and wiser as the years and trials pass. They are doing their best to be good parents to our 21 grandchildren. I could ask for nothing more.

For the last 16 years, for our family, Mother's Day is more than just a day to celebrate motherhood. It is the day that Becky, then 19 years old, was killed in a traffic accident. I want my children to know how proud I am of the way in which they have handled this tragedy. We all still miss her terribly!

I am so greatful to know that in the future we will all see her and be with her. We know where she is and that is a wonderful comfort to us. We speak of her often, I am especially glad that her siblings talk of her to their children. Although none of the grandchildren personally knew Becky, they do know her through family stories and many photos. Her death has strengthened my testimony of how Heavenly Father loves all of His children unconditionally. I pray it has done the same for the other members of our family.

I miss our family very much, but the Lord has promised that through our missionary service, our children and their families will be blessed, and I am holding HIM to that promise.

As your mother, there are things I wish I had done differently, although, I have tried to be the best example that I could. As we think and reflect on this Mother's Day, I pray each of our children all know of the love I have for each of them and again, how proud I am to be their mother.

Happy Mother's Day girls.

Until I write again, I love you all!

Mom