Today is Mother’s Day. I spent the afternoon with my 80-year-old mom and my 83-year-old dad, yesterday, to celebrate my mom. We had a good afternoon visiting, eating dinner, then playing pinochle. We already played Friday night, but since we were there Saturday and there was time after dinner, my dad offered the opportunity for us to play again, so maybe the women could win a game. I will share another post about our pinochle nights, which will bring more understanding, but just know it is played women against men in our family. And, it was a good thing we played Saturday because the women finally won! The losing streak is over!

Today, my husband and I went to church. The speakers in Sacrament Meeting shared uplifting messages about women, moms, and our Savior Jesus Christ. They were wonderful talks that did not leave me feeling guilty for not being a good enough mother.

After Sacrament Meeting, we had the Women’s Meeting (called Relief Society). There was a beautiful charcuterie brunch prepared for us. We fed our bodies while the Relief Society Presidency filled our souls with uplifting words about the importance of women, that we are all needed, that our Savior knows the challenges we are dealing with in life, that He loves us, that we are not alone, that we are Daughters of Heavenly Parents, who love us. It Ended with a video of a man who wished he would have appreciated his mother more when he was younger. Now that he was older he understood all of the sacrifice of time and effort and love she showed him.

I am so grateful for my mom. But, also, all of those women who have “mothered” me in my lifetime. Those who have been my teachers, kind neighbors, friends, co-workers who cared, sisters in the gospel, etc. It takes a village. And, particularly today, Mother’s Day, I am grateful for the village of women who have been there to “mother” me when I needed it.