A Holiday for Moms

Instead of exercising this fine morning, I decided I should blog.

There's also a holiday that is coming up tomorrow that gives me inspiration: Mother's Day. But it's not just the holiday that drives me to write; my mother is amazing and I want the whole world to know.

Mom is more than my mother, she is my friend.

(this is a photo of us on a road trip to a Cake concert in Colorado)

Now I know people say that's a bad thing. "You shouldn't be a friend to your kids. You should be a parent," they say. I think my mom has been a better parent because she's my friend. Although I look up to her and respect her in so many ways, I feel she views our relationship as that of peers who are equal.


When I began to talk, I called my mom Ida. Why not mommy or some other pet name? Because no one else did! They called her Ida and so did I.

As I grew up I guess I learned from my peers and started calling her mom sometimes. But she still responds well to Ida. :)

I love many things about Ida, my mom.
I love that she has been completely devoted to her family over the years.
I love that she courageously took care of my father in his illness.
I love that she serves the Lord and follows His example of putting others first.
I love that she has been a friend to my friends. I think some of my friends like her more than they like me. I totally understand why.
I love that she has never lost touch with me or my interests and goals.
I love that she takes pride in what she has; she is a woman of class in many areas.
I love that she respects and serves her own mother, who I love dearly.
I love that she is optimistic for the future. I congratulate her on her recent re-marriage.
I love that she is amazingly talented. She cares for others.

I love that at the end of the day, we can chat like friends because we are friends. My best friend is Ida.

Happy Mother's Day to all women!

(Today's project is to get all these flowers plus a truckload more planted in Mom's soon-to-be beautiful yard)


p.s. I would be remiss if I didn't mention the grandmothers in my life.

Grandma Harper (my mom's mom) is amazing. I am so blessed to have her! I count the time we spend together (such as last night when we both got stomach aches from scarfing down a bag of popcorn) as precious. She is the most genuine person I know and I respect her immensely.

Grandma Bertha (my dad's mom) is pretty dang cool too. Her red-lipstick kisses are the best. When I'm with her I know she really cares. She's sick in the hospital right now so I am praying for her quick return to health.

Deb (my dad's step mom), is amazingly talented. I went to a play she directed last night and was blown away. She is always willing to sacrifice HOURS of her time to help others express themselves creatively. Most recently, she directed the Youth Cultural Celebration for the dedication of the Twin Falls LDS Temple. Her efforts with thousands of young people paid off; the show was amazing! In addition to all this she provided the cheese, bread, Miracle Whip and Lays for the "lazy man sandwich" that was the lunch staple for me and my friends in 10th grade. Thanks!

Wow. That was so much better than exercising. I think I left my running shoes in Provo anyway.