A Tribute to My Mom on her 85th Birthday

Today is my mom's 85th birthday. If you had the chance to be with her, you would never think you were standing in the presence of an 85 year old woman. My mom has beautiful Norwegian skin passed on to her through her father's ancestors from Norway. Her mind is sharp and her sense of humor and laughter can make your day.

Through the gospel we know that everything we are comes from our Heavenly Father; but, it takes the nurturing of a mother, an angel mother, a gift from God, to truly make us who we can become. My mom is a nurturer, caring for each of her five children with all she possibly could. And if you ask my dad, he will tell you she nurtures him every day. In fact, right now my dad is in the hospital, has been for over a week; and my mom is there with him every day to make sure he is OK and being taken care of the way he deserves.

My mom and dad lived through the terrible depression and they have lived frugally but happily all their lives. The words recession and depression are in our news every day now. We are being advised to live frugally, cut back, save, store food, etc. Because of the wonderful mom I have, I have been well trained. Nowadays, children come home from school and sit in front of the TV or computer while mom is out working or out socializing with her friends. But, my mom took the time out of her day to teach me to sew, to crochet, to knit, to cook, to have great meals made from left overs so there would be no waste (mom used to call it clean out the refrigerator night).

I wonder how many of you know how to darn socks? There was no waste in our home. I can remember sitting next to my mom and I would watch her take one sock at a time and darn the sock with the hole in it so it could still be worn. If I had to, I could darn socks (yes, I admit that I don't do that now, but I could if I had to).

My mom could get more items for a grocery list written on a small piece of paper than anybody I know. And she would save any usable piece of paper instead of throwing it out. Little did my mom know that all those frugal things she did with me by her side have prepared me for what might lie ahead for us.

Mom is never too busy to take a phone call. She might have 15 minutes before she has to be at the hairdresser; but she will give me those 15 minutes if I need them. Mom never misses a birthday--not any of her children, grandchildren, or great grandchildren (and that's a lot of birthdays). And a friend's birthday is never missed either. I talked to her today on the phone and she said she has 20 birthday cards so far. Isn't that evidence of the love my mom gives to so many others. (Oh, and soon she will have 21 birthday cards as old gimpy here in the cast got my mom's card mailed late).

I could keep writing about the many things my mom has done for me--teaching me to love music, dancing, crafts, cooking, motherhood. But, if I keep writing, soon it will be March 8th and it will no longer be her birthday.

I hope you all pay tribute to your moms--and don't wait until Mother's Day. Let her know what she means to you and the influence she has had on your life. My mom may not get to read this. She won't use a computer. But, I wanted each of you to know what a special day it is for a very special lady, my mom.