I Honor You

This Mother's Day, while I feel extremely grateful to have the opportunity to be a mom, and I am thankful for my own mom and mother-in-law, I can't help but think of the many women who desire to be a mom and aren't one yet. This Mother's Day all I can think of is my dear friend Whitney.

She is one of the selfless people I know. She always has your back. I've been blessed to know her for about 2 years now and I am so thankful she is in my life. I consider her one of my best friends, since being here at BYU-Idaho. She watches the girls and they absolutely love her. She invites us over for dinner and does as much as she can to make you comfortable, she's even taken the girls overnight so Jonathan and I could have a night to ourselves. She serves, she gives me advice, she cooks (for my own kids) changes their diapers, treats us out sometimes, and much more. She is incredibly Christ-like. She forgives, she encourages, she's a leader, she has patience, she loves; there are many things I admire about her.

You may not know this, but her and her husband have been wanting to have a baby for a long time now. My heart aches when I think about her pure desire that is not fulfilled at this time. I admire her (and their) strength and faith. I remember the first time we hung out with them (2 years ago) we had found out they had already been trying for 1.5 years. We went home that evening, knowing they would be great parents, and prayed that they might be able to start their family, thinking it would surely happen soon. We still pray for them. I get defensive about my dear friends when I hear insensitive comments toward them or others struggling with infertility (I had a tear fest at Broulims one night when she told me a terrible story that happened to her. I couldn't stop crying! It made me mad that some people have the nerve to say some things...anyway). I'm thankful that through knowing them I have learned a lot about infertility. I hope that I can sympathize with others who struggle through it. It has surely opened my eyes.

I  want to echo the words I wrote 2 years ago on Mother's Day in the post called "To All the Mothers Who Taught Me Something":

"I would like to thank those Moms, who desire to be a Mother, but can't - whether they must wait a few more, long, hopeful years to start their family, or their bodies are just physically unable. I can't even imagine how hard it would be to accept the fact that I couldn't have children, or couldn't have any more. Whenever I think I'm having a hard time, or feel discouraged in my parenting, all I have to do is be reminded of someone who can't carry their own child (or doesn't have the means to adopt), and I instantly count my many blessings. I have so much to be grateful for. Thank you for still having the longing to be a Mom, even though you feel your dreams seem far-reaching. Thank you for that desire. Blessed are the parents who desire to have children, and can't, over those who could but selfishly relinquish their parental duties. Thank you for reminding me of my ultimate desire and want - to be a Mother."


I understand that Mother's Day is probably the hardest holiday for women who simply want a child. But this Mother's Day, I want to let Whitney and all women out there know, especially those wanting to hold their own child in their arms, that I honor YOU as Mothers. You are mothers in my eyes.

You are mothers in eyes of the Lord.

"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. For mother is the word that will define a righteous woman made perfect in the highest degree of the celestial kingdom, a woman who has qualified for eternal increase in posterity, wisdom, joy, and influence." (Sheri Dew "Are We Not All Mothers?")