Mama's Day

I thought that after my Young Women lesson (that was on a subject really dear to me--preparing to enter the temple) and a very inspiring and uplifting temple recommend interview, I'd be all cried out today. Not so! My awesome friend Susan has once again stirred me to (happy) tears. I am just on a roll! But she is so good to me, and the post made me feel all warm-fuzzy happy. (Read it here, if you'd like). But I couldn't read it and not respond, because whether Susan realizes it or not, she was as much help to me (or more) as I was to her.

Phill was in Iraq, Reed was three, and Jaxon was still a little half-year-old baby. I was trying to forget how miserable I (often) was by finding friends who were 1) really fun to be around and 2) needed something that I could give, something that would help drive away my self-pity. So I prayed. And very shortly thereafter, Susan moved into our ward. I loved her at once! She told me stories about being a nanny in New York (how oddly glamorous and intriguing!), sat at my house with me while I cleaned and talked to her (because it is soooo much easier when you have someone to talk to), stayed with the boys while I took packages to the post office, accompanied me on trips to the grocery store (which seemed infinitely easier with her there), and had no problem with the fact that if she wanted to hang out with me, she would also be hanging out with my darling boys. (I trust people--and like them--more when they take me as I am, with all my babies in tow. After all, motherhood is pretty darn central to who I am!) So, my darling Susan, you were every bit the lifesaver that you say I was to you!! Happy Mother's Day to you!

And to all you other moms, sisters, wives out there, I'm so happy to call you my friends. I love being able to inspire and lift up one another through this infectious thing called blogging. I love that here I can be proud to be just who I am, and I especially love that motherhood is wholeheartedly commended in this particular network of friends/family I have. Here, I don't feel lonely, just supported.

Happy Mother's Day!