I asked the kids to share some family memories on this special day. This is what they came up with.
Shawn's Memory:
Hi, Mom, Happy Mother's Day! As for family memories, there are too many wonderful memories to summarize them into one particular event. For some reason, two memories stand out the most. First was the memory of going to the public swimming pool as a family in the summer evenings. You would think that we were part amphibian by the time that we spent in water. Another family memory that stands out was the cazillion times we played "hot and cold" in the family living room. I remember either hiding or looking for objects with brothers and sisters on the hand carved wooden shelves with the iron brackets. For me, the most memorable times were spending time with our family. Now 39 years later, I am married to a wonderful woman. Who woulda ever thought, right? We love you and are continually grateful for all of the past, present and future memories that you bless us with. With love, Shawn
Kim's Memory:
Hi Mom! My favorite memory of mom is when she would comfort and relax me by gently tickling my face or playing with my hair I always loved "forehead bender". It was always a treat to be able to sleep or nap in mom and dad's bed. Their bed was so-oo big and smelled like them. Other fond memories are swimming at the community pool, going to gymnastics, digging in the washes out back, jumping on the trampoline, going to my brother's games. I loved to tag along with my dad and brothers and the boys were really good to me, and dad let me come as much as he culd. I also loved getting a baby sister. I thought she was mine. I loved to play with her, but mom did all the work! I feel very blessed to have had such a good childhood. I love my parents very much. I love my brothers and sister. I am glad that all my brothers and Hedy made such good choices in who they married. I love my sisters in-laws and brother-in-law. Hey Mom and Dad, GOOD JOB!!!!! XOXO, KIm
Heather's Memory:
Shawn's Memory:
Hi, Mom, Happy Mother's Day! As for family memories, there are too many wonderful memories to summarize them into one particular event. For some reason, two memories stand out the most. First was the memory of going to the public swimming pool as a family in the summer evenings. You would think that we were part amphibian by the time that we spent in water. Another family memory that stands out was the cazillion times we played "hot and cold" in the family living room. I remember either hiding or looking for objects with brothers and sisters on the hand carved wooden shelves with the iron brackets. For me, the most memorable times were spending time with our family. Now 39 years later, I am married to a wonderful woman. Who woulda ever thought, right? We love you and are continually grateful for all of the past, present and future memories that you bless us with. With love, Shawn
Kim's Memory:
Hi Mom! My favorite memory of mom is when she would comfort and relax me by gently tickling my face or playing with my hair I always loved "forehead bender". It was always a treat to be able to sleep or nap in mom and dad's bed. Their bed was so-oo big and smelled like them. Other fond memories are swimming at the community pool, going to gymnastics, digging in the washes out back, jumping on the trampoline, going to my brother's games. I loved to tag along with my dad and brothers and the boys were really good to me, and dad let me come as much as he culd. I also loved getting a baby sister. I thought she was mine. I loved to play with her, but mom did all the work! I feel very blessed to have had such a good childhood. I love my parents very much. I love my brothers and sister. I am glad that all my brothers and Hedy made such good choices in who they married. I love my sisters in-laws and brother-in-law. Hey Mom and Dad, GOOD JOB!!!!! XOXO, KIm
Heather's Memory:
My ultimate favorite picture of my mom. She is wearing my Grandpa's military uniform.
My ultimate UNfavorite photo of my mom. That hair is out of control. She'd tell me stories of how she'd drop her "hair" off at the beauty shop & then go pick it up when it was finished. Not a bad idea. Oh wait. I looked at the picture again. Yes, very bad idea. Love you MOM. :)I learned a valuable lesson from my mother (of course) when I was living in Logan, UT, finishing college. I've incorporated this lesson into my life for nearly the past 5 years & it has given me a tremendous ability to live in the present.Tadd & I had been married for less than a year & I'd always call on Sundays to talk with my mom before another crazy school week began. Well, this was stupid. I'd always call at the exact time ALL of my other siblings, nephews & nieces were over at my parents house laughing in the background & eating my favorite Sunday foods. I know, kind of self-deprecating. I could practically smell the roast beef through the phone while I scoffed at our meager $30/week food budget. No roast beef for us.This was always discouraging to me & I'd start to whine, telling her how I missed all of them. And "I'd be happy when..." blah, blah, blah. She matronly listened to my complaints of the cold, my beastly law professor & how I had no money to get my hair done. Once I paused for her to join in on my pity party & make me feel better, she sweetly told me to stop living life with the motto, "I'll be happy when..." She wisely insisted that this made the present a mediocre existence. She told me to make the most of the time I had in Logan. To make friends & to visit the loads family I had there when I was lonely. She kindly reminded me how grateful I should be to have the opportunities & experiences I was having & how I was fortunate school was easier for me than it was for others. Finally she changed my perspective about my situation entirely when she spoke of how glorious it was for Tadd & I to be away together to build a strong foundation for our marriage & our little family.Awkward silence because I realized what a selfish child I was being. Pout, pout.This lesson from my mother has given me a great insight into how to live in the present & be grateful for my blessings each day. That is ... until the rut I toppled into became large when thoughts of self pity & wo is me-ness reared their ugly heads. Stress with finishing my dance recital this year, MBA wife senioritice, potty training our 2-year-old son & being 6-months pregnant. I've realized I'm at it AGAIN! I must stop the "I'LL BE HAPPY ... When Tadd's done with school... or When I can bend over again... or When my students can hit that double pirouette... or When Jonah has left for college." I need to enjoy all of it because eventually it's going to be something else that seems to be never ending & overwhelming. "This too shall pass." Deep cleansing breath. I love A-HA moments because they remind me that I have a brain & I have control over my attitude & hence my life in some aspect.This paradigm shift helped me realize that I AM HAPPY... that Boeing is paying for school, that our child will soon be out of diapers, that I have a trade I enjoy & can do at home & that I actually CAN get pregnant.So, if this is inspiring to any of you, please remember to live in the moment - even if it seems like a big mess - & relish in that which is your life. Because truly - how blessed all of us are. Love you MOM!
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