Mother's Day

Back in the old days,

the Sunday School secretary

sat on the stand during Sunday School

opening exercises.

(Like the Ward Clerk always sat on the stand

during Sacrament meeting.)

DeRay had graduated from college,

we had bought our first home,

and both were working at Geneva Steel

when Mother’s Day rolled around.

I refused to sit on the stand

and have everyone stare at me

because we had been married

over six years and had no children.

I felt so sorry for myself

that until the day was almost over,

I forgot I had a mother.

An extraordinary mother who,

after the death of her husband at age 43,

reared her eight children

ranging in age from 1 year to 18

by herself.

She only had an 8^th grade education,

but she miraculously acquired the job

as Orderville Postmaster

two years after Daddy died.

She raised two big gardens,

She bottled fruits and vegetables,

She sewed and did all her own housework.

How could I forget her?

My heroine.

My champion.

Superwoman really.

Everyone in the whole wide world has a mother.

No exceptions.
We celebrate to honor mothers;
not to be a mother.

Thank you, Mama.