Mom's Editorial of Sorts--Gratitude in Being a Mom

This mountain represents the climb it took to be strengthen in life's trials. This is also Mt. Timpanogos, which was the view from my front room window the years spent living in Orem with fond Memories.



This morning I read an article about Utah having the highest percentage rate of stay-at-home mothers in the country. It piqued my interest. It gave me a forum to toot my horn...


Better than "therapy" | 7:20 a.m. Oct. 4, 2009
I made a conscious choice to stay home with my children. I spent hours with then, relating to then and their problems. It was a time of bonding and cementing that bond for their teen age years. I was fortunate, yes to be a stay-at-home-mom for 23 years. My youngest was six years old of eight children when I had to get work outside my home as a single mother. We all survived the turmoil of the sudden shift in our lives as a family. It paid off for me to have been home all those years. My time came when the last three children were in high school. I went back to school to get my education. I was home for my children even though I was a student. We all went to college and they finished their undergraduate degrees. The youngest was never spoiled. He is now earning his MBA. I could not be more pleased. The others did similarly, two with M.S. degrees and one has her Ph.D. It can be done, even in Utah, But, some mothers NEED to work. Just do your best & love em.

The other day, Friday I was silently grateful for those years I was able to spend at home with my children while they were growing up. I felt the bond of love and closeness to each of my children as they grew up. I felt connected to them and was so grateful to be there to take them a forgotten assignment, donuts to a first hour home-ec class, cinnamon rolls to one of my missionaries' district. (Oh I was bad) I think they changed the rules after that. I laugh now about it. I had my three preschoolers in tow at the time too.

Overall, I know I am blessed for having made that choice to be there at the crossroads of their lives. I may have not always been home when each came home from school on any given day, but my presence was there nevertheless taking children on paper routes, going to their day time singing programs, their kindergarten graduations, their high school graduations.

I will say that pay back time was when I got my first diploma as a college student. All my children were lined up in the audience and gave me a whooping holler and cheered me on in MY accomplishment. It was one of the best days of my life to walk that stage and have my children, and grands rooting for ME!

I came across my college picture of me when I graduated from BYU. I looked a little worn out, and actually think I look better today than then. Anyway, I weathered the storms of life as a mom on her own, still raising the three younger boys. I am so thankful to have been there when I was needed.

We learned a lot about being self-sufficient and independent, and I am sure my children did too with me. You are ALL the best...