Happy Mother's Day

I know that many will be making the same claim as I on this day but I honestly think I have the best mother in the whole world!

My parents were divorced when I was about 2 years old and my mother raised all 8 children by herself. She had little more than a high school education and eight little mouths to worry about. She went to school a little at a time when Nick and I reached pre-school age and studied hard while doing laundry, cooking, attending school events, dance concerts and working. After 5 hard years she received her nursing degree and got a job at American Fork Hospital in Labor and Delivery.

She taught us hard work and was a parent first and a friend second. She taught us that sometimes you have to do things that you hate or don't want to do (weeding the garden, cleaning the house, etc.) She new how to dicipline us so by the time we hit Jr. High she rarely had to worry about us. And she raised her children to have solid testimonies of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. She never faltered and always did her best and has been a perfect expamle of courage, faith, hope and charity.

She worked from 6pm to 6am so she could be home with us during the day. She never missed a show that I was in (that's 13 musicals, ballroom competitions and Shakespeare competitions in Cedar City) and I grew to love the sound of her camera clicking away in the third row. Many times she picked me up at a friend's house late at night even though I knew that it was her one night off and her one chance to sleep normal people hours.

She went on every choir and drama tour (San Francisco, Washington DC, Aneheim, and New York) as a chaperone and everyone of my friends prayed that they would be put under her charge. Known as "Mamma Kanno" to all of my friends she watched over and helped raise them as if they were her own. Offering advice and counsel to those of my friends who had no support at home. She allowed us to build forts in the furniture, stay up all night talking and let all of my friends crash on the couches when we stayed up way too late.

She has watched us rock climb in Moab (and almost die several times), play Pooh sticks up the canyon and has heard enough high school drama to last a lifetime.

She taught me the words to John Denver, The Carpenters, and The Beatles' songs through road trip after road trip. She travels all over the country to deliver her grandchildren and help her children in the first weeks of new parenting. She has driven more miles and spent more time as her children have spread out over the country.

The thing that I love most about my mom though, is her accepting nature. I always have know that I can tell my mom anything. She never judges me or my decisions even if she is occasionally disappointed by them. She knows exactly when to give advice and when to stay silent. She has never been one of those control freak moms that make their children's lives miserable. She taught us correct living, hard work and courage and then sent us out to make our own mistakes. She has never tried to close the acorn and stop the oak from growing. And the love in her eyes never falters as she looks on her children's mistakes. She sees only her child and loves. No matter what she loves me. The perfect mother to me and all of those she comes in contact with. My friends, ward members, and coworkers all love her and learn from her example. Everything that I am today is because of her (um...I hope that's a compliment).

Mom, I love you with all of my heart! I want nothing more than to be the kind of woman that you are. Thank you for everything you have done for me and everything you continue to do. You will always be my best friend. You are someone I can laugh with and talk to and love. You are truly the best person I know. I love you!