Dear Mother: All Flowers Remind Me of You

This morning, I sat in Relief Society with my squirming baby boy in my arms. I sat behind a woman who brought a picture of her mother to church with her.

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If I were more social, I might have known something more about this woman, or at least have known her name. But since I’m not (I wish I were), I don’t know much about her. Only that her hair was gray and her skin was wrinkled, and her voice, as she sang this song, was shaky. And I know that today, she took a picture of her mother to church with her. Because today is a day for mothers. And because her mother is probably gone. And because her heart, I gather, even in her latter-years, must ache for her still. As I know mine would for my mother if she were gone.

My mom and Morgan, May 2009

But for now, we have our younger years still. And so much is left for us to claim. So many pictures to take and memories to make, and I am thankful. More than words can say.

But what words can say is really, I am so lucky. And by lucky, I really mean to say blessed. When I think about it, there are few ounces of luck in my life, only blessings. Intended for me. And for my family. Blessings from a generous Father in Heaven who knows me personally, who takes care of me. And today I am feeling especially blessed.

Today, I have my parents in my home, and my brother too. And right this very moment, my mother is laying on a quilt in my backyard soaking in the sunshine. That is so her.

She is my sunshine. I love her with my whole heart. She is everything bright and warm and comforting. She’s a mother, and that is no slight thing. She my mother. Forever. And how there is love in my heart for her.

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For all moms: I Often Go Walking by Phillis Luch

I often go walking in meadows of clover
And I gather armfuls of blossoms of blue
I gather the blossoms the whole meadow over
Dear mother, all flowers remind me of you

Oh mother, I give you my love with each flower
To give forth sweet fragrance a whole lifetime through
For if I love blossoms and meadows and walking
I learn how to love them, dear mother, from you.