My Mom

Since Mother's Day was Sunday, I have been thinking a lot the last few days about my mom and memories I have of us. As I have reflected on some of these memories, I have had a strong desire to write them down. So, that is my blog post today. These are a few of the memories I have had on my mind.

The first memory I have been thinking about happened when I was about 8 years old. I auditioned for the Nutcracker at the ballet studio I attended. I was just barely old enough to audition and was ecstatic! I was put in as an alternate for the buffoons. After my parents explained that I would get to practice and learn the dance and fill in if another girl couldn't make it, I was a bit disappointed, but still excited that there was a chance I would get to preform. There were three alternates, so I knew if I was going to get picked if an alternate was needed, I would have to work really hard. And I did! I poured my heart into every practice. As the time of the performance arrived, we were informed that all of the alternates were going to have a chance to dance because other dancers had to pull out. From what I remember, I was told that I would get to dance in some of the performances, but at the last minute another dancer left and I was supposed to be there every night to dance. I was thrilled, of course! At the time, I didn't realize that it took money and tickets to watch me at every performance. So when I realized my family wouldn't be there for one of the nights, I was really sad. Now, this is just what I remember for a long time ago. In my mind's eyes, I can see my mom being the only one that came to the last performance. I was so sad it was over and even more sad that she was the only one there. But, my mom, being the best mom ever, comforted me and made me feel so special. It didn't matter that the other girls had tons of people there every night. That everyone seemed to have a bouquet of roses and I didn't. My mom thought I did a great job and was there for me. That was all I needed.

Years later I started taking voice lessons. Because of that, I had the opportunity to sing for competitions a lot. It was always fun, but nerve racking. I am blessed with a very musical mother. She can play the piano like no one else I know. Because of that, she would accompany me every time I sang. I think that gave me an advantage in several different ways. First, we were so in sync. She could follow me in a way no one else would have been able to. Second, she insisted that we always say a little prayer together first. That would calm my nerves and helped me in ways I can't explain. Next, I always knew that my biggest cheerleader was there, performing along with me. We were in it together. And lastly, I knew in the end my mom knew how hard I had worked. So it didn't matter what a judge said. We she knew I had grown and she would be there to help me keep growing.

 

The last memory that has been on my mind is how often I had people come up to me and say, “Are you Marilyn's daughter?” It didn't matter if it was huge distant family reunion, a trip to the store (without my mom there), or something else. I had people I had never seen (that I knew of) come recognize me because I look so much like my mother. A few years back I made a family calendar with old pictures. One of the pictures was my parents wedding picture. Multiple times the month is was displayed in my kitchen, I had people ask if that was my wedding picture, then do a double take because my dad and my husband look nothing alike. I always felt it was a compliment when they would say, “You look just like you mom!” I don't think you could say anything to me that would be a bigger compliment.

I have been so blessed to be raised by a mother who is close to my father, me, and mostly to Heavenly Father. She is has been an example in countless ways, and I love her for it. So, even though I'm a few days late, Happy Mother's Day Mom!!!