For Mothers Day, a few years before her passing, I wrote a tribute to my mother, the person you all knew as Grandma Croshaw, the one who, along with my father, is responsible for any goodness I have. For me, those words expressed who my mother was, and I wish to honor her again today, Mothers Day, 2008, by posting them here:
Reflections on MotherMy earliest recollection of my mother involves a young boy of 4 or 5 years, being tucked tenderly into bed by caring hands and soothed by a cooing voice. Basking in sensory comforts and assurance of love, I remember being utterly taken by the woman leaning over me. It seems I recall equating her qualities with those of an angel. I perceived her as radiant, flawless, perfect. That blending of senses created an early notion of my mother which imprinted on my mind and has gone with me through the years. It influences my thoughts of her today. Though now pragmatised by an awareness of human fallibility, it is augmented by a host of subsequent revelations of her goodness. Though age has dulled her senses and amended her physical beauty, her benevolence and grace remain intact, refined and tempered by the fire of life. Today, as in my youth, my mother embodies a standard of goodness and purity, a standard I will gratefully carry with me forever.
- David K. Croshaw
Mother's Day, 1997
Mother's Day, 1997
I suspect that if each of you think about it for a moment, you will conclude that for you, your mother also embodies this grace, benevolence, beauty, and goodness. Make sure she knows how you feel, not just today, but as long as she lives on the earth. And, make sure that as long as you live, your own lives reflect all the goodness and purity she has passed on to you.
Proud and grateful to be Arvilla's son;
Proud and grateful to be Debby's mate, and to share with her the honor of being your parents,
Dad
4 comments:
Thanks dad, I really love that. I just read a blog post from one of my friends who lost her mom a few years ago to cancer. She was talking about how hard mothers day is for her, even though she is now a mother to 3 kids. She was talking about how much regret she has about not being able to tell her mom everything she wanted to before she died, because she was young and very confused at the time.
I am so grateful for my mom, that she is such a good example to me. While I know you aren't perfect, you are pretty darn close. Elliot keeps saying, "let's go find daddy and grandma". You are such a good grandma and my kids love you sooooo much, Maggie even wanted you over me that first morning I was back!! I am so grateful to have a mom who never gave up on me and who taught me the gospel all my life, and who lived the gospel all my life. Happy mother's day mom, I love you.
Ditto what Becky said, you're the best mom and grandma I can imagine. I really want to be just like you. I keep trying anyway...
I love that about Grandma Croshaw, it's so true.
Happy Mother's Day to all the moms and future moms! I love you guys.
Grandma Croshaw was a true lady. You can't say that about many of us women these days. She was so special, so unique, so ahead of her time in so many ways. Thanks for sharing that again, Dad. Seeing the pic of me and Grandpa Croshaw made me miss both of them, but I'm sure they are so happy just being together again.
I love you too, Mom. I continue to be convinced as I meet other people's mothers that there just isn't one as good as my own.
Thank you, dad, for giving us all a chance again to remember what an elect lady Grandma Croshaw was.
I told mom this story the other day, but I think everyone else could enjoy it, too. I was talking with some friends recently, and one started talking about how her mom felt guilty about something or other, so she was just unloading on her daughter (my friend). Another friend piped in that her mom does that, too, and how there's always one child who gets the brunt of mom's drama. I commented that my mom doesn't really do that. All my friends agreed that she probably does, she just doesn't do it to ME. But I don't think so. I think she really is just that copacetic. I always knew mom was an anomaly, I just never had seen it from that perspective before. It was just one more reason to be grateful for our mom.
On another note, I was thinking while I was at church about what things I could do that would be considered "honoring" my mom. The kinds of things I came up with were: food storage, temple attendance, and lifting and serving others. Those are the things that are important to her and that she has shared with us through her example. Pretty impressive list. Thanks, mom, for sharing. I love you.
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