What I should have said...

Today is Relief Society I had the opportunity to share a few thoughts about my mom. What would have been a great opportunity, turned into me being a blubbering idiot and not even sharing coherently what I actually love about my mother. I even had the ugly cry thing going on. Oh well...Here is what I would have said...

My mother taught me the value of hard work. She has been such a hard worker from the time that I can remember. Mom always had a full time job, from babysitting other peoples children when I was young, to managing The Fabric Shop as I got older. Not to mention all the little odd jobs she had like sewing for people, and even working in a gas station to help make ends meet and to make sure that her kids didn't go without. We sure didn't live a luxurious life, but we never went without. She kept kids in gymnastics, baseball, dance, and drill team. Payed for four of her five kids to serve missions, back in the day when missions were a different amount depending on where you served. Hence, the hard working mother!
My mother taught me how to be independent and to work for the things that I wanted and needed. I learned that nothing is given without hard work. I know that I appreciated what I had then, because I was the one working for it. My mom didn't give me gas money. She never payed my car insurance. She didn't buy me a car. She made me work for it!
My mother taught me the importance of having a good sense of humor. To this day my mother can make me laugh. Not always on purpose anymore either!
My mother taught to be thrifty and to never pay full price. (My husband thanks her for that too!)
My mother taught me the importance of a long soak in a hot bath. Never underestimate the power of the bathtub!
My mother taught me how to cook. Growing up, nobody was a better cook than my mom. I still crave some of the comfort food that mom would provide. I could use a little comfort right now by the way.
My mother taught me by example! By living and being faithful in the Gospel. By raising and seeing ALL of her five children enjoy the blessings of the temple. By sticking things out when things got tough.
I am so grateful for the love that my mom has for me, and I hope I make her proud of who I have turned out to be, not only as a person, but as a mother, for she taught me everything I know.

What I still need from my mom...
A few sewing lessons.
Her oatmeal cake recipe.
Her laugh bottled up in a jar for when I need a good one myself. It's very contagious!

I love you mom!