A Tribute to the World's Greatest Mother

I've been thinking a lot lately about my beloved Mother, whom we lost on 13 September 2008. She would have turned 83 on April 12, Easter Sunday. It reminded me of the Easter-themed birthday party we held to celebrate her 80th, so I decided to include a few pictures from that occasion. We are headed home to spend a couple of weeks with Daddy, so will actually be in WY on Mother's birthday/Easter Sunday. That has happened only once in the years I've been married, and that took place three years ago when I flew home to surprise her and we celebrated her 80th by "kidnapping" her for a girls' outing and shopping spree (for her!) in Billings.

Although Mother spent her entire life sacrificing for her eight children and others whom she loved, she would tell you it was not a sacrifice at all, as it was what she wanted most out of life. When we learned that she had cancer and would not be with us much longer, we asked her what she wanted to do with the time she had left; did she want to jump out of an airplane, fight a bull, whatever. She said, without hesitation, that she had everything she'd ever wanted: to be a wife and a mother.

When Mother learned that she was dying, she asked if I would speak at her funeral. And then she added, that if I were willing to do so, she had one request. She said that dates and places had never been important to her. She said, "The following things are important to me, and I hope what my life has been about: (1) the Gospel of Jesus Christ; (2) my family; (3) my friends; and, in equally (4) and (5) beautiful music and beautiful flowers.

While preparing to speak at her funeral, I remembered the saying: "If you were convicted in a court of law of being a Christian, would sufficient evidence be found to convict you?"

Mother had just told me herself what was important to her. I decided to see if I could find evidence sufficient to convict her. Of course I did so, and in the thirty minutes during which I spoke at her service, I shared the evidence I found, and then asked those in attendance if they agreed there was sufficient evidence to convict Mother. She was an amazing woman, an opinion shared not only by her husband and either children, but by all who knew and loved her.

Thank you, Mother, for all you are and for all you have done for each of us. We're looking forward to, and working toward, a joyful and eternal reunion.

Much love always and all ways from your Favorite-Second-Oldest Daughter