Mom, Mother, Mommy, Mommy dearest..
I’m not really sure how long she was in labor, but I do know I caused some great pain after I was born and one, in her words “ugly scar.” Then she goes on to say, “if it wasn’t for this you wouldn’t be here.” I would just roll my eyes and say yeah yeah. Typical mom answer!
My mom is a fighter. She fought for me and her own life February 8, 1990. She stood by my side, at a far watching me struggling to live on my own without machines for four months. Every day was a new challenge. A new struggle. She cried out to God begging Him to let me live. With my dad by her side, they never gave up on me. Even though they didn’t get to hold me and love on my physically, they loved me unconditionally evey single day. Not expecting to make it to the next day, by Gods grace and a miracle, I’ve made it to 24. Thank you Jesus!!
As I said, my mom is a fighter. She loves and extends grace more than anyone I know. She’s stubborn as can be and yes, I get that from her. She’s a machine, seriously she doesn’t stop. She never has. She goes 365 days a year, 24 hours a day, and 7 days a week. She made lunches, ran my brother and I around from one practice to another year after year. Ran from room to room when we were both sick. Dried our tears when we got our hearts broken. Cheered us on when we succeed at something and picked us up when we failed. She answers phones calls in the middle of the night when I just need my mom, all while having a full time job.
Growing up our house was, I’m not kidding when I say this..it was a hotel. The Tuttle Hotel is what we came up with. (So original, I know!) We had people coming and going all the time. 16th birthdays came and went and more cars would show up in our drive way. I’m sure everyone thought we were always have a party. My mom taught us about hospitality and loved our friends like they were her own. She still does, she loves our friends even if she has never met them or they are in different states. She prays for them and contacts them to show them they are loved. I’ve learned so much about character and humility just by watching my mom do life.
Part of me wonders if my mom thinks she did wrong in raising me. I mean I am about to leave her for a year and go around the world. Why would her daughter do that? Why would I leave her?
Mom if you, actually when you read this please, know you taught me the most important lesson in life, to love others as Christ loves us.
If it wasn’t for you pushing me to be my best, and never letting me give up on my dreams I wouldn’t have this chance to go spread Gods love. A chance to love on kids who don’t have a mom like you. I know how to love because you showed me and taught me what unconditional love is from our Savior. You have the most loyal and genuine heart of anyone I know.
I pray when I have kids one day that I am half the mom you have been to Travis and I!!
A year ago, I didn’t know I would end up having two familys. Thank you Jennifer Gray for opening up your home and heart to let me be apart of your family. You’ve taught me what grace and patience looks like every day.Thank you for genuinely loving me like your own.
Liz Even, Pam Heidelberg, Amy Samuel, Cameron Amthor, Carol Lewis, Darlene Means, Lori Stevens, Jill Bryd, Deanna Phillips, and Jill Hurst.. Thank you for loving me and having open arms when I need a hug or a shoulder to cry on when my mom wasn’t available. Thank you for opening your homes and heart for me to feel welcomed and loved. I am forever gateful to know that whereever I am in the world, I have a a few extra moms!
