Hazel Almeda Hymas Long
My namesake. Great-Grandma Long left behind a history for her posterity. Having her name has probably encouraged me to read and reread the words she left behind. She was such a strong mother and grandmother. I believe she loved motherhood. She wanted her children and grandchildren to do what was right. In her words "these boys and girls are my treasure and my greatest concern is for them to grow up and be good men and women. I want them to remember their grandma and in so doing, remember what she expects from them and never let me down." She also wrote in a letter to my grandma, "Remember you have my love. Wherever you go... there will always be someone who loves you and prays every day for your well-being and happiness." For me these words are motherhood. Motherhood is pure love and because of that love you teach what is true and right and expect the best. Hazel is an example of a strong mother to me.
My mothers mother. Grandma Black was blessed to be a mother on this earth. She had 8 children to raise and teach, to love and serve. As I read what her children have said about her there is one thing that continues to come up again and again. She was selfless. She put her children's needs before her own. She was a support to each of her children. She was interested in each of them individually. She was also a beautiful homemaker. I know I can learn so much from her, and I hope that these qualities she possessed can be something I strive to attain as well.
My fathers mother. Grandma Hart was so supportive of me all growing up. She loved to be in the loop on what you were doing. She made the effort to come out and support us. I have always felt loved by her. I know she is a strong and righteous woman. To this day I still enjoy her phone calls just to see how we are doing or to tell us what they are up to. She is a great example to me of being invested in others.
My mother. My mom is my greatest example. I know she learned so much from her mother and grandmother like I have. She not only learned from them but became a wonderful mother herself. When I think of her I think of her sacrifices for our family and for others. She is such a hard worker. She worked hard so that she could be at home with us. I am so thankful she taught me that being at home, and being a mother is the most important. She is selfless and loving. I am thankful she was there for me to encourage me through tough times and to be a great friend. I am thankful for all the things she did for me that I cannot remember. I am thankful she is so loving to my baby girl. As I sit her I think it is so hard to put into words all I have learned or everything I am thankful for because being a mom encompasses everything. Thank you mom for everything. For giving up a part of you for me.
I also want to thank my dear husband for the gift he has given me. He not only has allowed me to pursue motherhood but has encouraged me to become the best mother I can be. I am thankful to him for working hard and sacrificing with me so that I can stay at home with Kennedy.
I guess I just want to end by saying motherhood is "worth it then, now and forever." It is worth every sacrifice, every sleepless night, every frustration. Holding Kennedy in my arms, her smile, her reaching for me, her trust in me. Motherhood is everything I hoped for and so much more. And I believe that as mothers we will all come to find out that the words President Hinckley spoke some times ago applied to motherhood are true. "I promise you that what appears today to be a sacrifice will prove instead to be the greatest investment that you will ever make."