Mother and Daughter

One of Adam's best friends is JR. He met JR on his mission but they should have met much earlier than that. They both graduated from the same high school, the same year and didn't know each other. They are very different, but their common thread is the gospel which brought them together. We had the opportunity to visit JR and his beautiful wife Whitney in San Diego for my birthday last year. We had an amazing time in the pleasant San Diego weather seeing all of the sights and spending time with friends. This past Sunday, JR's little sister Ali was able to give her mission homecoming talk. She served in the Washington DC North mission which also includes being a missionary at the temple visitor's center. She shared some great stories and facts about her mission, but more than anything the presence of the Spirit was strong there. It was during this talk that I noticed the family sitting not too far in front of us. The mother was attractive, in her 30s and had brown hair. The daughter had a short blonde bob and a precociousness about her. These two likenesses reminded me of my Mother and me. I saw the mother stroking her daughter's hair. In and out her fingers went from back to front through the short blonde locks. I was transported to a past world where I was 6 again. My mother would stroke my hair at church and she often scratched my back. Sometimes I would be afraid to move because I didn't want it to end. It didn't matter how uncomfortable my position was, I was feeling much more pleasure from my mother's hands across my back or in my hair. I felt a connection with this family. Then my perspective changed when I saw the rest of the family- something I had failed to see before. This young girl had younger sisters. A mini-me version of her and a younger baby sister. She cooed in her baby sister's face until she would get the desired reaction of a smile or a laugh. I too felt that kind of love from my sister. She was always showing me love. I thought about how it was Mother's day and I felt happy to have my Mother but I also felt sad for others who I knew didn't have theirs. I thought deeply about the people in my life who have been mothers to me. This experience allowed me to reflect about the woman who have shapped me. I thought about Gladys, my mother and I thought about Cindy, my second mom. But mostly, I thought about my sister. Most of the ways my Mother has shapped me came early on in my life and I cannot remember, but I can thank her for who I am today for she set me on a righteous path. I do remember many experiences I shared with my sister. When people like my Mom or Cindy were absent from my life due to illness or distance, my sister was there. She didn't always like to be around me because let's face it, I am younger and more annoying, but she was always there. When my sister left for college, it killed me to know she was far away having such life changing experiences without me. It wasn't because I was jealous, it was because I missed her. I was having my own high school experiences, but college was so much more grown up. It seemed more permanent. Maybe I felt like I would never be able to bridge the miles between us again. But that time away from my sister allowed me to step out of her protection and into a deeper relationship with my mother. I know that sounds funny, like my Mom wasn't there to guide and protect me, she was, just in a different way. This time between just my Mother and me allowed us to step into a more mature relationship and I believe it is what allowed us to become friends. And the time spent away from my sister allowed me to appreciate my relationship with her a lot more. I knew what I was missing. Now, miles constantly separate us. It doesn't bother me anymore. I know that love transcends all obstacles. Our hearts beat with the same blood. We all come from the same source. And when I feel that desperate ache to see their faces, I look in the mirror and see their love reflecting. Amy xoxo