Mother Appreciation: the post-edition

I know, I know, Mother's Day was forever ago and I totally missd the boat.  But I"m going to share some mother-stuff anyway.  It's always a good day to honor motherhood, right?  I gave a talk in church on Mother's Day (no need to comment on the irony - if you know me, you know these issues) and I shared a few quotes that I think are just amazing:

"One cannot forget mother and remember God.  One cannot remember mother and forget God. Why?  Because these two sacred persons, God and mother, partners in creation, in love, in sacrifice, in service, are as one."

Thomas S. Monson, Behold Thy Mother, April 1998 Ensign

"When we understand the magnitude of motherhood, it becomes clear why prophets have been so protective of woman's most sacred role.  While we tend to equate motherhood solely with maternity, in the Lord's language, the word mother has layers of meaning.  Of all the words they could have chosen to define her role and her essence, both God the Father and Adam called Eve "the mother of all living" - and they did so before she ever bore a child.  Like Eve, our motherhood began before we were born.  Just as worthy men were foreordained to hold the priesthood in mortality, righteous women were endowed premortally with the privilege of motherhood.  Motherhood is more than bearing children, though it is certainly that.  It is the essence of who we are as women.  It defines our very identity, our divine stature and nature, and the unique traits our Father gave us."

Sheri Dew, Are We Not All Mothers?, 2001 

There is no one perfect way to be a good mother.  Each situation is unique.  Each mother has different challenges, different skills and abilities, and certainly different children...What matters is that a mother loves her children deeply and, in keeping with the devotion she has for God and her husband, prioritizes them above all else."

M. Russel Ballard, Daughters of God, May 2008 Ensign

 I may not be Mother of the Year, but we sure look the part don't we?

Much love to you Eleanor - you made me a mother, I'm trying to make me a better one.

image credit: Kelli Nicole