A tribute to mothers from my brother

My brother wrote this yesterday on facebook and I wanted to share it. I love that boy. I really wish I could have been in Cali to hear my dad's talk.


I have inherited many things from my mother such as talents, skills, temperament, and bad teeth. One attribute, which was more prominent today in church and as I write this note, is her lack of emotional control with situations of love and family.
Being Mother's day my father was asked to speak in church on motherhood. It was an excellent talk, in which he continuously referred to the mothers in his life, which incidentally happen to be some of the same examples of mothers in my life, focusing mostly on his mother, Grandmother (Oma), my mother, and my sisters. He discussed the relationships we form with our mothers and how they are teachers and emotional support for us throughout our lives. Mothers are one of the main influencers in our lives directing the decisions which we make and who we become. Mary the mother of Christ, taught Him about who He was, and is, and gave Him the skills He needed to accomplish His Father's work. Eve had the responsibility of being the mother of all living and teaching the first generations the importance of following the commandments of God and worshiping him. She had the wisdom to see good which came from the fall. (A side note. The children of Adam and Eve are an excellent example of the individuality and free agency of all living beings. Their children were all taught the same principles and grew up in the same environment but they did not all make the same choices. Some rebelled and followed the deceiver. Something to remember when our children rebel.)
My father does not often discuss feelings or share emotional stories, in fact conversations with my father are usually short and to the point, which is an attribute he inherited from his father, and so I savored the opportunity to listen to him discuss his relationship with his mother, and grandmother during his childhood and his need for them when he was away from them for the first time on his first day of kindergarten. He discussed my sisters and the excellent job that they are doing, each as mothers of four, and how they are a testament to our mother. Needless to say, the half box of tissues my mother put in her purse barely lasted through the 15 minute talk because tears flowed as the love of family, and especially the mothers in our lives, overwhelmed us. I am so thankful for my mother, I love her so much. I am also so thankful for the other mothers I had while growing up. My sisters, aunts, Grandmothers, and a couple of my best friends mothers all had large impacts on my life and who i am today. Happy Mother’s day to all, and an especially happy Mother’s Day to the mothers who have influenced me. I love you all.