My mother the leader:
My mother has been involved in community and church all her life. From my early days, there are many memories involving her leading large groups of people in grand projects. She has held every possible leadership position in church including Stake and Ward Young Women President, Primary President, Stake and Ward Relief Society President and a myriad of others. She has directed community plays, worked with civic leaders and other religious leaders to accomplish large goals for the city in which she lives, blessing the lives of many. I have seen her articulate needs and plans to groups of men and women, sure of herself and the cause for which she worked. Her administration skills and persuasive leadership example has instilled in me a desire to do the same, and shown me how to organize myself and feel confident enough to volunteer for large assignments.
I am grateful for my mother's ability to lead with confidence. Leadershp and administration are skills I feel I have learned directly from her example.
The one who serves
When you get married, you get to pick your relatives. When I chose my husband, I chose my inlaws. In the fifteen-plus years of our marriage I have had the opportunity to get to know my husband's mother better. For me, her greatest attribute is her ability to serve with kindness. No matter who, when or where, she is always willing to do what she can. I have seen her make meals, leave suprise annonymous gifts on doorsteps, clean houses and church buildings and jump in her car to answer a long distance need from family. Her life is spent doing what she can to better the lives of others.
While her service to friends and strangers is impressive, her drive to help her children is something to behold. There is nothing she would not do for them. From babysitting the grandkids to investing in businesses, she offers all she has to see their success. I have been the recipient of such service and count it as a blessing in my life.
On this mother's day, I can only be grateful for the women who have shaped an molded me. I consider it my duty to follow their example so that this legacy of strength and kindness will continue on through the generations that come from these women.
Thanks Mom and Colleen for all that you are!
Happy Mother's Day!
