Bonedelins: May 2012

“There is no role in life more essential and more eternal than that of motherhood.” - Elder M. Russell Ballard

This is how I remember you every morning...thank you!

“There is no one perfect way to be a good mother,” he says. “Each situation is unique. Each mother has different challenges, different skills and abilities, and certainly different children.” Elder Ballard acknowledges that some women are “able to be ‘full-time moms,’ [and that] some may divide their lives into periods of home and family and work,” but that “what matters is that a mother loves her children deeply and, in keeping with the devotion she has for God and her husband, prioritizes them above all else.”

I remember talking to my dad a couple years back about being a mom and parenting and I will never forget what he told me. I was feeling overwhelmed after taking so many child development classes. There was so much to remember, and so many things could go wrong. I understand raising children is so important and a huge responsibility. How am I going to prepare myself enough that I am not going to mess up? I proceeded with my concerns and finally asked him, "What did you guys do? I mean, we turned out really well, if I do say so myself.'" After he chuckled and agreed with me at his kids awesomeness, he simplified everything for me with such an easy response. I was thinking this was a loaded question, but he didn't even have to think about his answer. I didn't write down his exact response, but this is pretty much what he said:

"Your mother loves you guys SO much. There is nothing she wouldn't do for you guys. She taught you through her love and devotion and how to love each other. Loving you and teaching you the Gospel was most important to her. As long as you love your children and make sure you pray and read scriptures as a family you will be okay.

I loved my dads answer and was very grateful for his insight, but on top of that it made me really appreciate my mom and how much she does for me. I know she would do anything for me and am grateful for her example. I am so lucky to have had such an amazing upbringing with a mom and dad who care so much about my future. I love how much my dad obviously respects my mom as our mother. I could tell he also really appreciates her and thinks she is an amazing mom.