That Wonderful Mother of MIne

With Mother's Day just around the corner, I am finding myself thinking about and missing my mother.  As I was once again cleaning out our closet I found some Mother's Day gifts that I had given her.  
Memories started flooding my mind.
During my Primary years I would proudly and loudly (off key mind you) sing these words to my beaming mother:

"Mother I love you

Mother I do

Father in Heaven has sent me to You

When I am near you

I love to hear you

singing so softly 

that you love me to

Mother I love you

I love you I do"

As I started advancing with my piano talent my mother shared with me that one of her all time favorite songs was,

 "That Wonderful Mother of Mine." 

Mrs King (my piano teacher) worked long hours with me as I tried to master that difficult piece, so that I could play it for my mother on a Mother's Day. 

I finally conquered it and on Mother's Day, I surprised my mother 

by playing her beloved song in church. 

I shall never forget her face as tears rolled down her cheeks.

A trusted friend once again played that beautiful piece for my mother at her funeral service and her daughter sang these inspired lyrics:  

THAT WONDERFUL MOTHER OF MINE

Writers Walter Goodwin, Clyde Hager

"The moon never beams without bringing me dreams
Of that wonderful mother of mine.
The birds never sing but a message they bring
Of that wonderful mother of mine.
Just to bring back the time,
that was so sweet to me,
Just to bring back the days, when I sat on her knee.
You are a wonderful mother,
Dear old Mother of mine.
You'll hold a spot down deep in my heart,
'Till the stars no longer shine.
Your soul shall live on forever,
On through the fields of time.
For there'll never be another to me,

Like that wonderful Mother of mine.
I pray ev'ry night to our Father above,
For that wonderful mother of mine.
I ask Him to keep her as long as He can
That wonderful mother of mine.
There are treasures on earth,
that made life seem worthwhile,
But there's none can compare with my dear mother's smile.
You are a wonderful mother,
Dear old Mother of mine.
You'll hold a spot down deep in my heart,
'Till the stars no longer shine.
Your soul shall live on forever,
On through the fields of time.
For there'll never be another to me,
Like that wonderful Mother of mine."

I am not quite seventy, but there is not a day that passes that I do not miss the friendship, love, and reassurance that only my mother could give.

May our Eternal Father continue to bless all His Mothers, not only on their special day but each and every day and may we as His children love and revere our mother's for all the sacrifices they have made that our lives would be filled with love and happiness.

I'm Trying to Be Like Jesus

The last two weeks I have literally felt as if I had a huge bulls eye on my forehead with expert marksman taking shots at it.  It has been quite painful; espically since the marksman hit the target several times.
 As the target was hit, the tears would start flowing and these words would start playin out in my mind, "I'm trying to be like Jesus; I'm following in his ways. I'm trying to love as he did, in all that I do and say...Love one another as Jesus loves you, try to show kindness in all that you do. Be gentle and loving in deed and in thought, for these are the things Jesus taught."
At the time, still smarting from the hit on the bulls eye I would brush it aside. 
A few days later a good friend came to my ward and spoke about our Legacy and how quickly and easily we forget who we are and where we came from.  Then another gentleman took the stand and started talking about adversity and how he and his companion pulled through, "We decided long ago that whatever the Lord threw at us we would endure and trust in Him."  What Faith.  I was like WOW!!  I murmer at the tinist trial.  But I am going to try and do better.  What a remarkable example of Faith.  He is truly following in the Saviors footsteps. 
I once heard this comment, "Christ faced every temptation we face; the difference is He chose to pay no heed to them.  He did not even stop to think about it. He just left it behind." 
Me, I still find myself stopping and gawking then deciding well maybe I had better not.  I hope for the day I too can "pay them no heed" and not even stop but just keep plugging forward.
After the meeting I had the opportunity to visit with my friend and this humble inspiring man.  I related to my friend the actions of the last week and how it hurt so deeply.  He then smiled and related some of the reasons he loved me so very much.  The one that struck me was how he viewed my heart:  "You find it easy to love those around you and you strive to see the good in everyone even when it is buried so deep many give up trying and just like the Savior hurts when He sees His loved ones hurting, you hurt also and that is a very good thing."
 He and his companion then gave me the most beautiful blessing; there was not a dry eye in the room.  He gave me some counsel and I have been following it and when things came to a head this week, his promise came true, "You will be all right."  I was all right and vindicated.
Yesterday as I was sitting in the temple once again these words started playing out in my mind, "I'm trying to be like Jesus, I'm following in his ways. I'm trying to love as he did, in all that I do and say...Love one another as Jesus loves you, try to show kindness in all that you do, be gentle and loving in deed and in thought for these are the things Jesus taught."

Sitting in that holy place tears filled my eyes as a great peace filled my soul with the quiet acknowledgement that I was truly trying to live as my Savior had lived and the verses that were being played were whispered reminders that those were the characteristics I shared with my Savior on a daily basis. 
That was what He had tried to whisper to me when the target practice first begun but I was so engulfed in my hurt that I did not open my heart to listen.  That was what my friend was sharing with me during our visit and why there were tears in our eyes after the remarkable blessing.  But alas me being me I could not really hear until I was in my Father's house and truly listening.
My heart is so full of graititude for I know my Savior knows my name and knows me better than anyone and I know and have felt numerous times his great love for me.  Because of his love for me when He is unable to reach me, He sends friends that He has blessed me with to grab their chisel's and start chippin away at the barracades I have placed around my heart, so the next time He offers His comfort, my heart will be open and receptive to receive it.
But my greatest joy is that my I am truly trying to be like Jesus.  He is my mentor, my greatest example and most of all He is my Best friend.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=BY-tt7cf7CA