Today it has been 4 years since Justin's mom Delores died. Four years, wow. My heart absolutely aches when I think about Justin and his family and the pain they were going through four years ago. I know that pain is not as strong as it was back then but I also know that it will always be there. I'm sure whenever they think of their mom they not only think of wonderful memories and love they have for her but also the pain of knowing she is no longer here. No matter how old they get, no matter how long she has been gone, I am sure their heartache never goes away because no matter what happens in life, you never stop needing your mom!!Justin's dad is such an amazing man to me. I really admire his attitude and perspective. I have seen the sadness in his eyes when he talks about his 'sweetheart', he misses her so much! Yet even through his loneliness, he knows she is not far from him, he knows he will see her again, and he knows that death is not the end of her life or their love! Wow! What an amazing love an eternal marriage can bring!
I have never met my mother in law, something that makes me extremely sad. However, I have heard so much about her and have a huge amount of respect and love for her in my heart! Justin has told me so much about her amazing testimony and strength in the gospel. She was not one who wavered, she knew what was right and she knew what was wrong and as far as she was concerned there was nothing in the middle. What an important thing to teach your kids! Delores sounds exactly like the kind of mother and wife I want to be. Her kids always knew she loved them. They knew their mom was always there for ANYTHING they needed. They also knew what she expected of them, and they knew what was right. Just yesterday Justin was telling me a story about when he was just 16 and was treated unfairly at the bank (most likely because of his age). He knew what was happening was not fair or right so he went home and told his mom. She marched right back down with him in tow and boy did they change their attitudes on the situation! (She had banked their 35 years! To this day Justin still boycotts that particular bank!) What a difference it makes with your mom on your side, he always knew she was, at least when he was in the right... When Justin was kicked out of his seminary class for making animal noises, she was not so thrilled! She still made him get up each morning and do make up packets so he would be able to graduate from seminary.
She was an extremely supportive wife, even when times were tough. She knew what mattered most in life and even into the last weeks of her life she tried to stress the importance of family, forgiveness, and the significance of the temple.
Justin and I laid in bed last night talking about his mom and how much I wish I could have known her. I'm so excited for when the day will come that I finally get to meet her. I will wrap my arms around her and thank her (through many tears I am sure) for the amazing mother she was to my husband. I am eternally indebted to her for teaching him how to treat a lady, how to be an amazing husband, for planting a seed for a testimony as such a small child and then giving him such a strong foundation to keep building it on.
Justin's mom is gone. Even thinking that brings me to tears. It reminds me how short life really is, how thankful I am for ALL my loved ones, and what an amazing plan our Heavenly Father has given us, one day we will all be together again!
5 comments:
That is so sweet! She sounds like a remarkable woman. Thanks for sharing such a sweet tribute to us.
Found your blog through Elizabeth's so hope you don't mind if I follow along with you and Justin's fun adventures. I keep seeing you two lately in restaurants, so funny! You two are such a cute couple and it looks like you have so much fun together. My husband thinks he knew your hubbie's younger brother in HS: T-Ville. Small world!
What a beautiful post and dedication to a remarkable woman! She was so sweet - and sure kept those kids in line! :) I have a feeing she had something to do with you and Justing ending up together - and I'm sure she is with both of you often! She would be just as proud to call you her daughter-in-law as you will be to call her your mother-in-law! Hugs to Justin today!
Oh Tiff that was so sweet. She would love you just like you were her own daughter (who doesn't love you)! You are an amazing person too and will be a wonderful mother as well. Give Justin our love! We need to get together soon!
Love you BB4E
You have such a sweet spirit about you Tiff! I love reading your blog it always makes me want to be a better person! Thanks for that extra boost! Love ya!
I know how Justin feels, on February 21st is will mark the 18 year mark that my dad died. I was only 14. It is really hard and I had some people say that it gets easier as time passes but it doesn't, it only gets harder. You learn to deal with it but it's hard. I get so sad knowing my children will never know their grandpa and never experience his love for them. It's amazing though knowing they were with him in Heaven. Hunter saw a picture of my dad when he was really little and he said thats grandpa wood. I cried because he remembered him. I am so greatful that my dad was with him and I hope that one day we can all be with him again. I still talk to him when I pray and hope that he listens. I feel really bad that I don't get to his grave much because he is buried in Wyoming but I think of him often. That so awesome that you can be there for Justin. I know that February is a hard month, so let Justin know he is not alone and I know what pain and heartache he and his family are going through.
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