To the strongest woman I know

Dear Momma Bear,

I want to thank you for the times you have been here for me, I want to thank you for your example of love and service, I want to thank you for the example of endurance, perseverance, and laughter you have given me. I want to thank you for being my best friend. I want to thank you for being my mother.

I remember when we were little jumping on and off of your giant bed running up and down the hall until we could no longer breathe. Building snowmen, and going sledding. Hide and go seek through out the house.. baking treats and climbing mountains. All of the times we have laughed and not even known why we are laughing. 

Painting our nails and talking about boys. Nights I have come home in tears, and days I have come home with novels of drama and talked off you ears... Driving in the car blasting music with you... Staying up late at night and talking on your bed... Crying, laughing, laughing from crying and laughing instead of crying. 

Moments passed that I am sure you wanted to shake me and open my eyes, when I was to stubborn to see... Moments where I was coming home later than I was supposed to and you wanted to scream... Moments where I was a typical annoying young adult and thought I owned the world... and moments of silence when you couldn't get a word in because I am stubborn and just had to make my point. Moments you didn't want to see my face so I painted it with your make up....

ALL of these moments you have taught me valuable lessons and important things to know...

However, I am mostly thankful for the moments you have taught me to forgive, to move forward, and to let go of the grudge....  The times you have taught me about prayer, heavenly father, and the gospel. You have shown me how to hold firm and not be moved, you have set the way and pattern to endure with a smile, to find laughter in moments of tears... To push forward especially when surrounded by darkness. 

I can remember coming into your room at night to find you in prayer, or lost in the book of Mormon... 

If ever there was a moment of sorrow, grief, pain, or happiness you were there to tell me to pray, to teach me that God is there, that he loves me just as you do. You taught me early about my Savior Jesus Christ and his infinite sacrifice. 

You taught me of unconditional love, patience, and compassion. To not let my experiences make me bitter but to make me better. You have taught me to serve, not to judge, and to be a true friend. 

I hope to some day be a mommy like you. A teacher, a healer, a source of peace, comfort, and love. All attributes of our Savior that I am learning from you. Thank you for never giving up on me and always helping me to find the best in every situation, to pray, and to trust in Gods plan. Thank you for teaching me that when the battle gets rough to fight harder and hold more firmly my ground.

"they had been taught by their mothers, that if they did not doubt, God would deliver them.

48 And they rehearsed unto me the words of their mothers, saying: We do not doubt our mothers knew it."

 "And as the remainder of our army were about to give way before the Lamanites, behold, those two thousand and sixty were firm and undaunted.

21 Yea, and they did obey and observe to perform every word of command with exactness; yea, and even according to their faith it was done unto them; and I did remember the words which they said unto me that their mothers had taught them."

(Alma 56&57) 

You have taught me what faith is.  You have taught me to not doubt, only believe, to always look forward in patience, to not give up my fight, to be bold telling what I believe, to be true to who I am, to do my best to obey with exactness and to change when I have lost my way.

So many things I have learned from you! Thank you for being you. Thank you for always loving me. I am so blessed to have a mommy like you!!!

LOVE,

YOUR BABY BEAR :)

PS THANK YOU FOR BEING MY MOMMA!!! HAPPY MOTHERS DAY! I LOVE YOU!!!!!!