To My Mom

Mom,
I sort of missed the mark for Mother's Day this year with everything that has been happening lately. But I wanted you to know what you mean to me, every day, not just on Mother's Day.

I am so lucky to be your daughter. There are so many people in this world that are so lost when it comes to who they are and what they are here for. You have never let me forget that I am a daughter of my Heavenly Father, and that there is NOTHING I can do that will make him love me less. Thank you, mom for teaching me the Gospel and never giving up on me. It is by far the best gift I have ever been given.

Your quiet strength and testimony has held this family together for so many years. As each of us has exercised the right of our agency, you have sat quietly close by willing to offer the support we need when things seem to fall apart. I know that there have been times that you have felt that you have failed as a Mother because of the choices we have made. I want you to know that NOT ONCE have you ever failed us. You have been the most amazing example of what a mother should be. Every single time I get upset or frustrated with my kids I try to stop myself and think of how you would have handled the situation. I'm sure there were times when you wanted to strangle us and scream until you lost your voice.....but you never did. You always kept your cool. You make me a better mother through your example.

As an adult I appreciate that you are still willing to pull me into your arms and hug me to make the scary things go away. To this day being in your arms makes me feel so much better. Your hugs are healing and your words are always wise and never selfish. I remember the times when Jon and I were struggling and I would call you looking for a shoulder to cry on. You have an amazing way of making me feel heard but also helping me to realize how ridiculous I am being. You never judged my husband and always helped me to try to see things from his point of view. You don't know how much that means to us as a couple. He knows that I can go to you to vent, but that you would never speak bad about him. Not only are you an amazing mom, you are an amazing mother in law. From the moment you met Zoey she was never your step-grand daughter.... she was always just your grand daughter. Thank you for always loving her like all of your other grandkids.

I love you, mom. You are the most amazing person I know. I want to be just like you in every way. Thank you for all of the little and not so little things you do for me.

Love You for Eternity,
Kippy Snacks