Listening to a little country music this morning I heard a little stanza about growing up, becoming parents and cherishing every moment with those children. YES!! It is no secret that I relished my years of having children at home. Motherhood was my full time job and for this I am forever grateful. I have much to say on the topic… but my topic today is focused on one particular mother… MINE!!

Along from the typical things one might say to honor their mother – I am going to add just a couple more things that are specific to my mom and the home she and my dad created for us. I will try to keep it simple and short….

For years I said that the greatest gift I received from my mother is her faith. She loves God in true and sincere ways and tries to follow His teachings. It is that straightforward. As her daughter how could I live any other way?

Mom has the most cheerful countenance of any person I have known. Her life has not been easy, particularly with health issues, but she will always greet you with a smile. I will say this again… she will always greet you with a smile. Her spirit is happy and it shows.

As for motherhood – was there ever a mother who loved motherhood more than Teri Parkin? You would be hard pressed to find anyone for whom motherhood brought such a measure of joy. I know a lot of great mothers but were there ever three children (and one in heaven) who had such complete security knowing they were wholeheartedly adored? I have often said that I have confidence in my Heavenly Father’s love because of the love I received from my earthly father. I have confidence in myself and in my life because of the love I have received from my mother.

In saying this please don’t assume that we were pampered or spoiled in any way. Amongst all of my friends, my home was the one with the most strict rules. These rules were very fair and reasonable. They were administered in a loving way. I cannot recall her ever raising her voice or doing anything to introduce conflict into our lives. We were given love and thus we had love to share.

First lesson learned – be like my mom (this applies to men also)! Cherish every moment with your children! Put down your phones, get on the ground and play with your children!!! Go outside, go to the park, go to the library, go swimming, go on vacation… PUT DOWN YOUR PHONE and CHERISH YOUR CHILDREN. Oh, and read books! It must be recorded that my mom read to us – at bedtime, in the car, etc. Thus we shared adventures from the pages of a book. Also – say nice things about your children to other people when they are within earshot. This had a huge effect on me. Mostly I hear moms complain about their children when they are within earshot. Imagine the negative impact this has on their sweet selves. It churns my stomach!

Next lesson learned – this is to all of us of every age and every stage. Let’s turn it around a cherish each moment with your parents! Obviously my kids just lost a parent and at my age I have friends losing parents on a regular basis. I am going to include a video Lori and I put together this week for our mom. I make these videos and my heart is deeply touched as I watch a life unfold in 11 minutes. I am blessed to still have both of my parents at this time. My dad declares his plan to never die and I fully support that… in the meantime these dear people need to be cherished. Go outside? Go to the park? Go swimming? They may not like these activities as much as your children, but parents can be cherished in ways that they do enjoy. Just as a young mom may struggle to get on the floor to stack blocks with the children, it is hard for me to sit down and watch Wheel of Fortune or Jeopardy… so I guess I have a ways to go…

We love and cherish our parents because they loved and cherished us. Perhaps as you love and cherish your children you are just banking on a future of being loved and cherished in return? My childhood was not all kicks and giggles by any means – but my brother often points out that he has never met anyone who had such a warm and loving childhood as we received. I second this statement. I know firsthand the effort it takes to devote your time, energy, life and love to raising children. I had a wonderful example to follow!

Thank you Mom! Today we celebrate 80 years of your life on earth. Last night your siblings spoke of how grateful they are that you were adopted into their family to be their loving and nurturing big sister. Dad spoke of your beauty and dedication to motherhood. Your children honored you as we spoke of our idyllic childhood. You are a light to all who have the privilege of sharing your life. I hope that when I am 80 years old I will have had as positive effect on others as you have had on us.

Keep on smiling! We love you!!

Please enjoy this video and watch for the now-legendary smile and that twinkle in her eyes!!