Heroes In Our Lives

When you think of heroes, who do you usually think about? Do you think of characters in a book who do something courageous? Do you think of people like Superman have have all these awesome powers and makes sure they use them only for good? Do you think of political leaders who have led this country through hard times and stood up for their beliefs? Do you think of celebrities who have millions of dollars, with fake pretty faces and all their wonderful input on life and its troubles *ahem*

We all have those people in our lives that have made a huge impact in what we do, what we say and how we act. They are those people who we may model ourselves after and follow their every move. They seem almost to be able to do no wrong and they seem almost perfect in our eyes.

Now I want to ask you, how many of those people have you met in person? How many would drop everything to either come to your rescue or just to talk? How many of them would give their lives to save yours? How many care enough about you to tell you when you are doing wrong? How many.... How many....

The list gets smaller and smaller doesn't it

Growing up I had all those kinds of Heroes, book characters, superheroes, world leaders and yes even celebrities. But as I have grown and have become somewhat wiser and more mature (at least I hope I have), I have come to realize that while those people are great, they should not be the ones that matter the most to me. I will most likely never meet them (with half of them being fake and all) and they probably couldn't care less about me and what I think.

I have come to look up more to those around me, namely my family and in particular my Mom. A person who is so selfless, caring, strong willed and so Amazing that it wouldn't surprise me if she was Wonder Woman in another life.

How many people can you say have put their very difficult trials aside to makes sure their friends and their family are taken care of. How many people can you say believe so passionately about their beliefs that they are not afraid to bring them up in any conversation. How many people can you say love their family so much that they would drop everything to make sure they feel welcome when they walk through the front door. How many people can you say goes to almost every single game, performance or activity that their children are participating in. How many people can you say are so devoted and so in love with their spouse that they make sure that dinner is on the table, the house is clean and nothing can come between them and their time together. How many people can you say are able to cook, sew, paint, create, teach, laugh, cry, direct, instruct, discern, joke and love.

No, my Mom is not perfect but that is what makes me love her so much. She works so hard to overcome her flaws and become stronger. She wants to continue to learn and continue to grow everyday. She teaches me everyday how to become a better person and I am so grateful.

I have learned how to sew, how to cook and how important it is to keep a clean and orderly house. I have learn what it means to be in love with someone after 30 years and what I want out of my own marriage. I have learned that trials do not stop after a certain age but I have learned how to overcome them. I have learned what it means to believe in yourself. I have learned what it means putting others first and I have learned how to be selfless. Though I cannot honestly say that I have mastered all of these traits, I have been taught by someone who is on their way to doing so.

True, we have had our disagreements in the past but I have come to respect and see my mom as one of the truest friends that I have ever had. I cannot express my gratitude for all that she has done for me. She has gotten me out of some pretty nasty times just by listening and saying maybe two or three words.She is so close and in tuned with the Spirit that she has that power to know exactly what you need to hear. She lights up every time she wants to teach me something about the Gospel, usually something she has learned or discovered and through this she has given me the desire to learn and to study the scriptures and principles of the gospel and that has been one of the greatest gifts she could have ever given to me.

I just want to say I love you Mom. Thank you for believing in me, for giving me hope, for giving me love, for showing that I am special, for teaching me skills, for being there when I need you, for listening to worries and complaints, for listening anytime I just want to talk, for the little text messages you send telling me you love me, for showing me how to love my future family and spouse, for showing me to stand up for what I believe in, for showing me you are never to old to learn new tricks, for being an example to me on how to follow the councils of the leaders of the church, for teaching me the important things of life, for teaching me how to enjoy, for teaching me how to laugh. Thank you Mom for everything.

You Are My Hero
I Love You So Much
Happy Birthday

Love Lise