For Mom

It's my mom's birthday today. If you asked her, I am pretty sure she would tell you that she is 18 today, because that is the answer she has given as long as I can remember.

I love my mom. I wish she did not live so far away. Whenever life gets overwhelming for me, I call her and she listens to my whine and cry about how unfair life is. Then she tells me that I will be ok and that the kids and I will be fine, I dry my tears and life goes on. And it is better because my mom said it would be.

I learned how to cook from her. It used to drive my roommates crazy when they would ask how to make something and I answered the same way Mom always answered me- "You add flour until it looks right and then cook it until it is done." I remember sitting on the stool in the kitchen with a pad of paper and a pen and trying to take notes while she cooked. I still have those "recipes" and still use them.

Her pie crust recipe is my most treasured one. She and I both were making pies this past Thanksgiving for the family get together. Dad told us that we could purchase pies at The Village Inn. Mom and I looked at each other and said, in unision, "But their pie crusts are nasty!" She still makes better Shelieghlie rolls than I do, though.

Mom and Dad on their wedding day

A few years later with Dawna and me(the baby)

November last year with Hunter

June at my niece's wedding. This is how you will almost always see Mom, working, doing, helping, cleaning. In all my memories of Mom, there are very few where she is sitting down. If she is sitting down, she is still working, sewing, stuffing, stitching, sanding, cutting, something.

Grandma Hulsey (dad's mom) Mom and Dad outside the temple after Shayla's wedding in June.

My parents gave me my love of reading. I do not remember a time whithout books. Both of them always had at least one, if no more, books started. I think at one time, Mom wanted to be a journalist. I,however, am glad that she choose to be a mom instead.

I miss you. I love you.

Happy 18th Birthday, Mom!

Indeed.