Happy Birthday Mom!

I always thought that with time, it would be easier to get use to not having my Mother around physically any more. Well that isn’t true! I’ve learned to cope with it better as the months and years have gone by. I find myself really missing my Mom at Mother’s Day and the date of her death in July. But I find myself missing her immensely in October at her Birthday on the 9th. The arrival of autumn and the upcoming holiday season was always so important to Mom. She just finished up the canning season, and all the fruits of her labors were squirreled away into storage or the root cellar to feed her eight children during the cold winter months. All while gearing up for the many sewing, confection making, quilting and other homemade projects for the pending Christmas season.



I have amazing memories of autumn and Mom, helping with canning, making trips to Idaho to pick up hundreds of pounds of potatoes and onions for the root cellar. The smells of her cooking and creating in the kitchen will always be a part of my life. The smells of my childhood, the holidays and all the family memories associated with Mom. I have found solace in my own kitchen as I get older creating memories of my own with Holly. This solace primarily because I enjoy cooking, but secondarily because I feel close to my Mom, the lessons she taught me, the good food she created and shared, and the constant laughter we all shared with her and other family members who have passed on. This is the time of year where I miss her so much I selfishly want her to still be around. It is where I rely heavily on my conviction and faith, which I do honestly believe that I will see her again because of the restored gospel of Jesus Christ. We will all be united as families, as families do exist beyond the grave. I believe this with all my being!



So this week I want to say "Happy Birthday Mom!" Also to many, known as Grandma, Aunt Sherry, Dear Friend & Sister. While we can’t physically celebrate with you on your birthday, I am thinking about you in a lot of ways. As I finish my own canning season full of projects for my own home, and gear up for candy making this holiday season with your other children, you are at the very forefront of my thoughts. I miss you lots.

I Love You Dearly! Happy Birthday!