A Mother's Day Tribute - Mother with Style

Whenever I get frustrated with my looks, my tired eyes, my dry hair … my wardrobe .. I think of this quote by Marjorie Pay Hinckley, wife of the late President Gordon B. Hinckley:

"I don't want to drive up to the pearly gates in a shiny sports car, wearing beautifully, tailored clothes, my hair expertly coiffed, and with long, perfectly manicured fingernails.

I want to drive up in a station wagon that has mud on the wheels from taking kids to scout camp.

I want to be there with a smudge of peanut butter on my shirt from making sandwiches for a sick neighbors children.

I want to be there with a little dirt under my fingernails from helping to weed someone's garden.

I want to be there with children's sticky kisses on my cheeks and the tears of a friend on my shoulder.

I want the Lord to know I was really here and that I really lived."

— Marjorie Pay Hinckley

When I think about ‘living life’ I can’t think of anyone but my mom. She raised 17 kids and helped us with everything. So here is a tribute to my mom. As a background here are some stories that I reference in the poem:

• My mom insisted that my dad dig up some good horse manure compost for her vegetable garden and flower beds!
• My mom was at a charity benefit and they had oysters on the hard shell. She felt so bad that my dad couldn’t come and eat it, she wrapped them up in a napkin and put them in her purse! Her purse smelled like a rotten fish for weeks!
• My mom was a church leader and one of my friends came straight from her caddying job to an activity at a skating rink. She had been walking in puddles and mud. My mom felt bad that her feet would get cold so she made my friend put her wet muddy shoes in her purse!

Mother with Style

I know an old women

Who lived in a shoe

She had so many kids

She didn’t know what to do …

… but for real …

I know a great women

Who lived in a house.

She raised 17 kids

While wearing a jean blouse.

French toast, oatmeal,

eggs, and pancakes to share.

Mom took us to school

With curlers in her hair.

Dark pants, turtleneck

A jean button-down shirt.

Her outfits were ready for anything

Even manure-filled dirt.

Schools, sports, church,

Errands and more.

Heals, shoes and socks

Were more of a chore

Bobby Socks, squashed heals,

No time to waste.

My mom had class,

She had great taste!

Working, cleaning, helping

Sharing.

Instead of pampering her self

She was always caring.

No time for salons,

She permed her own hair.

Although life was crazy,

She always made time for prayer.

Lipstick at a stoplight,

For lips and rouge.

Her mouth was always kind,

She never was rude.

A women’s purse,

Full of treasures to choose.

My mom shared her purse

With fresh oysters and muddy shoes!

She may be Silly.

She may be Tired.

But when I think of my mom

I feel Inspired.

I know a great women

Who lived in Style.

She raised 17 kids

While wearing a Smile!

Happy Mother's Day Mom! Thank you for all that you have done! We love you!