Mothers Day

In preparation for Mother's Day this week (and due to some prodding from friends who claim I have not posted on my blog for a while), I have decided to share some thoughts on Mother's Day. I wanted to start with a poem that was emailed to me today.

MY HANDS WERE BUSY

My hands were busy through the day.
I didn’t have much time to play.
The little games you asked to do,
I didn’t have much time for you.
I’d wash your clothes. I’d sew and cook.
You’d ask and I’d read from your book.
I’d tuck you in all safe at night,
And hear your prayers; turn out the light.

Then tiptoe softly by your door,
I wish I’d stayed a minute more.
For life was short, the years rushed past,
A little boy grows up so fast.
No longer is he at my side,
His precious secrets to confide.
The picture books are put away.
There are no longer games to play.

No Teddy Bears or misplaced toys
No sleepovers with lots of boys.
No goodnight kiss, no prayers to hear.
That all belongs to yesteryear.
My hands, once busy, now are still.
The days are long and hard to fill.
I wish I could go back and do
The little things you asked me to do.

Anonymous

First off, I must say that Anonymous was one amazing person. He has written more music, poems and other quotes than anyone else.

This poem was not intended to make parents feel guilty about their decisions with their kids, but rather, it is a small reminder of how precious those moments are with our kids. It also reminds me of how much my mother did for me and how much my wife does now for my kids. The poem only mentions a few of the 'million billion cajillion' things that moms do (Caden's words).

As a tribute to my wife, I am now going to share a few photos of our time together:

Melissa and me at the airport as I am leaving for Denmark on my mission (she is also known as 'waterworks' as this picture clearly shows).

It would make sense to show some wedding pictures here, but I don't have any readily available, so moving onto Melissa graduating from pharmacy school and becoming Dr. Mom! I am truly amazed at her ability to get through pharmacy school while helping raise and take care of little Caden. Now she works two days a week and still manages to keep our house in order and the kids happy. (She will also quickly point out that she makes more money than I do - barely).

As if taking care of one child while working wasn't enough, we were then blessed with child number 2 - our little princess girl, Katherine. Melissa was very excited to get her little girl (because I have 4 brothers and no sisters, she assumed that we would not have any girls). Here she is with big brother Caden and baby Katherine.

I don't think I can talk about Melissa without mentioning her love of ice cream. I can remember many nights when, after the kids have gone to bed, one of us would make a quick trip to the grocery store to pick up some ice cream. This picture is from our trip to Philadelphia where we found an old fashioned ice cream store, complete with an ice cream jerk. After finding this store, we went back every day until we left.

I know that this simple entry does not say enough about my gratitude for the mothers in my life, especially the mother of my children, but I figure you have to start somewhere.