Today is my mom's birthday. The little boys and I took some gifts over to her in the morning. We laughed and played and talked and let the boys jump from bed to bed in her guest room. Then Mom brought out leftover sweet and sour pork and rice for lunch. I LOVE leftovers. I always have. While Dad and I ate the leftovers, she ate something small like a boiled egg. Then we sat and looked at all of the letters and cards and pictures she has been putting into albums. She has emptied out boxes and boxes of stuff and is now down to a few albums. It was so great to see all of her stuff. We laughed at the pictures and letters. When I apologized for staying so long, Mom said that she was so happy...it was her favorite kind of day. I also spent time talking to Dad. He told me the most fabulous story about a guy he had baptized while on his mission to Florida over forty years ago. Dad had lost touch with him and had even tried to find him, but was unsuccessful. Well, he woke up the other day having dreamt about this guy. Dad ran straight to the computer, was able to find the guy's information, and by the end of the day, he was talking to this man's son. The man had recently died, and now Dad has the permission from his family (who never knew he had been "baptized Mormon") to do his temple work. It was such a touching story. I started to tear up just hearing Dad tell about it. When Dad said, "I don't know why he would try to contact me from heaven..." I said, "I know exactly why he would contact you!" I am so proud of my Dad who has found thousands and thousands of names for the temple. And when Dad showed me his notebook with all of the notes and charts and family trees he has already drawn out for this man's family, I was amazed. If I was on the other side, and I wanted someone on earth to find my name and do my temple work, I know I'd be trying to get through to my dad. I know he'd do it for me. That's the kind of guy he is.
I hugged and kissed Mom goodbye. I love her so very much. She has been so good to me. I have loved having her in St. George. When I hear the mudroom door open in the daytime, I run to see if it's her. I love sitting by her at my kids' games. I love telling her about my life. I love being her friend. She has always been on my side--the kind of mom willing to "punch someone in the nose" for me, but of course never, ever actually doing that. :) She has always taught us to go the extra mile, to be the extra kind, to be extra forgiving. While I was at her house, her elderly neighbor stopped by. I could see how much she loves my mom. I could see how good Mom is to her. I felt so very thankful to be born to such wonderful parents. I am incredibly blessed.
No comments:
Post a Comment