Mothers Day

This is my Mom's Mother with her 11 day old baby Kathryn Louise

Dorothy Mortensen Henderson-my grandma

This Mothers Day has an even deeper meaning to me. It's funny how your view and feelings about this day changes as time passes. When I was little it was all about mommy and drawing her a picture or making her a necklace.

My Mother and I on Easter Sunday 1964 in matching dresses

Then when you become a Mother it becomes something more to you. You are greatful for your own Motherhood and your heart turns toward your children and you hope you can prove yourself worthy of the title and that you are able to bring them up in a pleasing manner to our Heavenly Father.

Then those children become teenagers and Mothers Day takes on a whole new meaning. Sometimes it's all about enduring to the end and endless prayers!

Then your own mother passes away and suddenly Mothers Day has a sadness attached to it and you are no longer counted as one of the "Lucky Ones" that are crowded around the card section trying to pick out the perfect card for your Mother. Instead you are saddened and draw on your memories to comfort you. You send a prayer up to her and thank her for being your Mother.

Then the children that made you a mom grow up, marry and become mother's themselves and the day takes on an even deeper meaning. Now you are a "Grand" Mother and what pure joy that is. It's so wonderful watching your daughter's become mother's and now they are receiving home made crayola pictures and macaroni necklaces and the cycle continues.

I have watched Jessica become a mom with a blended family. I watched as my daughter fell completely in love with  her husbands daughter from his first marraige. I am so impressed with her and how much she loves Haven as her own and of course I love Haven as much as any of my grandchildren. We are so blessed to have her in our lives. Mother's Day has again taken on new meaning.

Seeing Amanda struggle to become a mother and all of the blessings and prayers that were offered up on her behalf yet again made Mothers Day even more special. Last year she was broken hearted and praying for the chance to become a mother. Watching her go to all of her fertility appointments, injections, medicine, testing and surgeries and still not know if they were going to be successful was quite a rocky road. Then the pure joy of a positive pregnancy test and even more joy watching your daughter carry a child and become a mother to a beautiful daughter of her very own. How exciting that was and another learning experience.

Then I have had the privilege of watching Crystal become a mother to five beautiful children...

...and just when you thought you understood the meaning of the day you watch your daughter suffer the loss of a child and become the mother of a "Celestial Son" and once again we grow and Mothers Day becomes even more meaningful. As Crystal and I have greived together over the past 2 months our hearts have turned to Mary- Christs mother. How horrible it must have been for her to witness her son's death. We always felt that way but now we feel and understand her pain even more. Who knew an 8 month old little boy could teach us so much?

This Mother's Day is bittersweet. Feeling joy and happiness for my daughter Amanda who now has a child of her own. Then deep sorrow for another daughter who's arms ache for the child she has lost. This Mother's Day I'm thankful for all the things my daughters have taught me about being a mother when not so long ago I thought being a mother was all about the things I could teach them. These mom's, my three daughters, are my heroe's and I'm so proud to be their mother.