One of the Greatest Days in History

At least it is for me, and for my family. You see, it's my Mom's Birthday. That's right, she was born November 16, 1948--a day that I will always be grateful for! My Mom is the greatest woman I know. She has has influence for the good on more lives than she will ever know.
My Mom spent her career as an elementary school teacher. I have always said, it takes a very special person to work with children in any setting. She LOVED the kids she worked with, and she wanted nothing more than to see them succeed in school and in life. I could write a book with all kinds of little stories I know had an impact on the youngsters she taught, but I will share just one right now.

There was a boy in her class (I forget his name), that was being raised by his single father. His Mom had died of drug overdose, and his Dad was trying to get back on his feet, trying to get off drugs himself. This boy had major behavior problems in his previous class, and was constantly in detention, etc for one thing or another. I think he even got suspended at one point.
Well, he had my Mom for his teacher the next year. She REFUSES to give up on kids. She loved them. And you could tell that they knew that they were loved by her. That makes such a difference to kids---especially when they come from such horrible circumstances, as many of them did. Well, my mom worked with this boy, and he loved her. He came to school with his homework done and with a desire to be good. He was doing so well, the first month of school he got "Student of the Month" in fact. A great accomplishment for a kid who was constantly in detention the year before. With the Student of the Month award also came a gift certificate for dinner at Sizzler. A few weeks later, my mom was getting ready to leave and said she would be bringing this boy home with her after school. (Yes, she had permission). She said she was taking him to Sizzler. I remember asking "Why are YOU taking him to Sizzler Mom?" And her response is one I will never forget, and made me realize how important these kids were to her. She said "Because if I don't take him, he'll never get to go."

Now, that's just one little thing that she did for one kids, but there are hundreds of stories just like this I could share about her. My Mom taught us (my siblings and I) the gospel, not just with her words, but with her actions. I have NEVER wondered if my mom had a testimony. I would often wake up for work early and find my mom already awake reading her scriptures. She always made sure we had family prayer, and she and my Dad went to the temple as often as possible. Our family is not perfect by any means, but I think I have a pretty close to perfect Mom. What a great example she has been and continues to be to me!

This whole ordeal with my Dad has been so hard. I can't imagine watching my husband, the person I love more than anything go through what my Dad has been through. Yet my Mom has been such a rock through it all.

I feel so lucky to have been given such a wonderful woman as my Mother, and as a grandmother to my kids!

We Love You Mom! Happy Birthday!