Things I learned from my Mother

Dear Mom,

This week I have been thinking about all of the things that you took the time to teach me in my youth. I could share many memories I have of special moments we had together, but right now I will mention just a few to highlight two of your best moments that made me who I am today.

Tenacity

You never gave up on me, even when I gave up on myself. I remember in third grade how you came to me and told me that it was time for me to learn to ride a bike. I knew that I was the only third grader who didn’t know how, but I was so afraid of my lack of coordination that I didn’t let it bother me. I remember you took me down to Cardinal Hill parking lot every day for a week and we practiced and practiced. I struggled and wanted to quit but you helped me to push on. After four or five days I remember riding and knowing that you had let go of the back and feeling very scared but slightly elated at the same time. Now I think of you every time I ride my bike around town. Because of you I was able to participate in a happy activity while simultaneously losing weight. I used it as a means to commute to work. Here in Provo I often ride to the store or just around the neighborhoods with Scottie enjoying the beautiful nature. I have come to realize that most children are taught to ride a bike by their fathers. I know that you were the one to notice I hadn’t learned and have the patience and tenacity to help me stick with it until I did learn. Thank you so much for that inestimable gift.

Work

I remember in seventh grade I had the opportunity to pull an all-nighter for the first time. I had to create a multipage newspaper for my history class and the project was so daunting that I refused to look at it until the night before. You stayed up with me and we worked and worked. You made me write all of the articles myself, even when Lisa accidentally leaned against the computer turning it off and we had to start again. You kept me on task and when I fell asleep on the big basement pillow at 4 AM you came and woke me up and had me get back to work. I don’t remember what grade I received for that project, but I do remember realizing how important it was to work. Procrastination and rationalization are synonyms for laziness. I have watched you continue to push on through many tasks even when I was ready to quit much earlier. Both you and dad never seemed to put anything off and have strong self-discipline. This is a quality that I still struggle with sometimes but I often remind myself that if you both can make it a habit, so can I. As I work my way through this MBA program, I am so grateful that I have you to look to reminding me that work is something to embrace, not avoid.

As I now stop and ponder what kind of mother I want to be, I am so grateful that I can look to you as a wonderful example.

Love,

Nancy