When Chris and I first adopted Riley...I was so excited for my first Mother's Day, I HAD waited 8 years! Riley and Chris tried very hard to make it special for me, well as much as Riley could do at 9-months-old. Chris bought me a journal to document Riley's life, and I loved it, and do love it very much. Riley, with the help of Chris, bought me some red licorice...which Riley enjoyed very much, as well.
As the years have passed, Mother's Days have come and gone, and they are always great, but this year was a little different. This year, I woke up and got Riley and myself ready and off to church. As usual, I sat alone in the pews with Riley, because Chris plays the organ (and has for about 9 years now), but as I sat with Riley and she snuggled up beside me and sat so quietly listening to the speakers, I realized just how blessed I was to have this special little girl in my life, and truly what a wonderful Mother's Day this really was. I love the feel of her little hand grasping mine while we said the prayer, and the look she gave me while we waited for the bread and water (she is secretly excited for a drink and snack), but the greatest Mother's Day gift that Riley could ever give to me, and did, is the knowledge that Riley knows she is loved and not only by me and Chris, but by a loving Heavenly Father. Her simple testimony is so powerful.
The other day a dog bit Riley on the tummy, and she was so terrified, and Riley decided to pray that she would be brave while I took care of the wound. Heavenly Father has intrusted me with a spirit to mold and shape in the gospel, and Riley is molding me.
All day long, I didn't care if I was pampered, and fed, and brought gifts (but it was nice), but that the greatest thing I had this Mother's Day was the knowledge that Riley is turning into a wonderful Daughter of God.
I hope that I can continue to instill in Riley that she is loved beyond measure, and that she can change the world with love for others...and that service to others is the greatest gift you can give, not only to others, but herself.
I want to take this time also, to tell the women in my life just how much they have "molded" me, and that I appreciate all the sacrifices that they have made in my behalf. I thank my mom for instilling in me the love of the gospel and the values that I hold. I thank my grandma's for sharing their lives with me, and the struggles that they had to endure in their lives, so I can look at mine and think...what struggles do I have that compare? Press forward...they would say. I thank those of you who, everyday help me to be a better mother, daughter, sister, wife, and friend. We are all in this together, and together we will succeed.
Happy Mother's Day to you all....may you all know that you are loved beyond measure, not only by me and your family members, but by a loving Heavenly Father.
As the years have passed, Mother's Days have come and gone, and they are always great, but this year was a little different. This year, I woke up and got Riley and myself ready and off to church. As usual, I sat alone in the pews with Riley, because Chris plays the organ (and has for about 9 years now), but as I sat with Riley and she snuggled up beside me and sat so quietly listening to the speakers, I realized just how blessed I was to have this special little girl in my life, and truly what a wonderful Mother's Day this really was. I love the feel of her little hand grasping mine while we said the prayer, and the look she gave me while we waited for the bread and water (she is secretly excited for a drink and snack), but the greatest Mother's Day gift that Riley could ever give to me, and did, is the knowledge that Riley knows she is loved and not only by me and Chris, but by a loving Heavenly Father. Her simple testimony is so powerful.
The other day a dog bit Riley on the tummy, and she was so terrified, and Riley decided to pray that she would be brave while I took care of the wound. Heavenly Father has intrusted me with a spirit to mold and shape in the gospel, and Riley is molding me.
All day long, I didn't care if I was pampered, and fed, and brought gifts (but it was nice), but that the greatest thing I had this Mother's Day was the knowledge that Riley is turning into a wonderful Daughter of God.
I hope that I can continue to instill in Riley that she is loved beyond measure, and that she can change the world with love for others...and that service to others is the greatest gift you can give, not only to others, but herself.
I want to take this time also, to tell the women in my life just how much they have "molded" me, and that I appreciate all the sacrifices that they have made in my behalf. I thank my mom for instilling in me the love of the gospel and the values that I hold. I thank my grandma's for sharing their lives with me, and the struggles that they had to endure in their lives, so I can look at mine and think...what struggles do I have that compare? Press forward...they would say. I thank those of you who, everyday help me to be a better mother, daughter, sister, wife, and friend. We are all in this together, and together we will succeed.
Happy Mother's Day to you all....may you all know that you are loved beyond measure, not only by me and your family members, but by a loving Heavenly Father.
Couldn't agree more, well said.
ReplyDeleteI was just thinking some of these things last night. You are truly an example to me!
ReplyDelete