I have been thinking a lot about Mothers lately. A few weeks back a dear friend of my mother passed away suddenly. I was filled with mixed emotions as I watched her family mourn her loss. It is so touching to see the impact that a righteous mother can have on her family, and yet it is so sad knowing how hard the coming years will be for her family. How hard Christmas is, and birthdays, and every holiday that mothers seem to be able to make so special. As I sat next to my dear Dad at the funeral, I couldn't help but think of the 18 years that have passed since my own beautiful mother passed away. It is so hard knowing how those daughters feel, and it made me realize that the pain of losing a mother doesn't ever go away. It changes, but the void is always there. My sister-in-law Denise's mother just passed away last week, and again I found myself wondering how daughters get through the loss of a mother. It just stops your life and you find yourself on your own for the very first time. In one of my self-help books it says this about losing a mother at any age.
"The loss of a mother is one of the most profound events that will occur in a woman's life, and like a loud sound in an empty house, it echoes on and on."
So often I find myself wishing that I could talk to her and ask her for help with my own inadequacies as a mother and a wife. My mom had such a strong testimony of the gospel and she loved the scriptures and the peace that the gospel brought her. I could use some of that strength as I try to teach my children those same truths.
What I have found is that when someone so valuable is taken from us, there are others who step in and fill a small part of the void left. I love my dad and understand and appreciate him so much more than I did before my mom died. I have a wonderful mother-in-law who is a fantastic Grandmother to my children. I just sometimes wish that I could send my little ones over to "Grandma Woods" so that she could instill some of the wisdom that came so easily to her.
I talk about my mom often and love it when I see her in my children. I am so grateful that I had her as my mother on earth for 23 years and that through the Plan of Salvation, she will always be my dear Mother.
4 comments:
Kathy--I saw the link to your blog on Facebook and I just had to let you know how beautiful your post was. I am completely crying and even though I haven't lost my mom, you have given me a better understanding of my friends who have.
I can't imagine how painful it is but the way you described it just makes my heart go out to you, my sister-in-law and friends who have lost their moms.
I am probably not making any sense but your post truly touched me and I wanted to thank you. I am so glad that we were in the same ward together, especially since we were the only girls our age, you were my very best church friend. You are an incredible person and I am so glad that I know you, even though I live far away. You are the BEST!
Love you!
I had to add that I think that is a gorgeous picture of your mom! She's beautiful!
Darcie,
Now you've made me cry! Thank you so much for your comments. You have no idea how much they mean to me. I have a special place for you in my heart and wish that we lived closer!! You are one of the lucky ones to have such an incredible mother! She is exactly the kind of woman that I was talking about. Love you, Darcie!!
This is a wonderful post. It's been hard to see my mom go through the pain of losing my grandmother, and I know it'll be harder when real life sets in again. I know it'll be a strength to her to know that other family members, you and my dad for instance, know what it's like to lose a mother.
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