After church today I went with my former neighbor, Ruthie to the nursing home to visit her mother-in-law, Mary. When I lived next door to them Mary was in the early stages of Alzheimer's disease. She could physically do all things for herself and mentally could be categorized as just forgetful. Now, she can do nothing physically for herself and cannot be understood when she talks. She doesn't recognize her own family members, much less me, but it warms my heart to see her and remember the many hours we spent together laughing and talking as neighbors.
This made me think of my own mother who I have felt a deeper, more intense level of gratitude for lately.
There's so much to choose from but if ya'll would humor me I'd like to share a small list of what makes Mary Alice Sr. (she hates that!) a most magnificent mother.
1. Anytime I call her and say, "What are you doin' today?" She answers,"Nothin' why?" This is code for "There's plenty I should be doing but none of it is more important than what you're about to ask me for help with."
2. She has eternal perspective ALL OF THE TIME. I don't even think it's possible for her to see things in a temporal way, even for a second. She's always reminding me of the big picture that is at work in all of our lives, including those of my children. This is a tremendous help.
3. She thinks I'm funny. And nothing brings me greater pleasure than making her laugh.
4. She chose the gospel. She joined the church as a nineteen year old. She was the first in her family to do so. She left a situation that was harmful to her three daughters and became a single mother which could not have been easy. She diligently took us to church, read the scriptures and prayed with us, and held weekly family home evenings. This provided us with a joyful childhood filled with the light of the gospel.
5. She chose Sam Grover. He is a wonderful man who honors his priesthood and serves his loved ones diligently. Sometimes I wonder what my life would be like if my mom had ended up staying with my "other" dad. I think I know the answer and I don't think it's pretty. She often feels guilt for having married said father and then divorcing and remarrying. She feels there were hardships in our lives that could have been avoided had she got it right the first time. I believe it all occured just as it should have according to the Lord's master plan for us. I'm grateful for all of it, even the hard parts. The family relationships we enjoy now are like heaven on earth and part of the legacy she has created.
I'm grateful the Lord saw fit to bless me with Mary Alice Green Redd Grover for my mother. If I manage to be even half the mother she is, there's hope for me yet!
