Dear Mom

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My Momma, 1953

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I’ve been thinking a lot about Mothers Day of course, and wondering what to send to my own dear Momma this year.   I decided to send a letter.  Because, in the busyness of life and the quick and hurried phone conversations from 2000 miles away (even though we talk almost every day), I know I don’t say enough.  I felt moved to share my letter here.  I hope it will encourage you to write a Mother’s Day letter to your Momma!  (I’m sharing pictures of my Momma here in this blog post… but I realized that most of the pictures I have of her include my sweet Dad!  So it’s a two for one deal!)

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Mom and Dad, 1957

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Dear Mom,

Thank you.  As I sit here today thinking of all the things I want to say, those two words are what keep coming to my mind.

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My family 1964 (That’s me on my Momma’s lap)

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Thank you for being the mom that you were when I was a tiny little girl.  The mom that had an endless supply of hugs and love.  The mom that laughed easily and frequently and taught me how to laugh the same.  The mom that taught your four little children that fighting with each other was not acceptable behavior, that love and kindness to each other was expected.  Thank you for being completely present in my life and making every sacrifice necessary to be home with me.

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Me in those awkward middle school years!

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Thank you for being the mom that you were when I was a young girl in middle school struggling to fit in and find my place.  For always, every day, greeting us at the door when we walked down the road from the bus-stop.  For being the Mom that had no problem with me jumping up to sit on the kitchen counter and talking non-stop while you cooked dinner every single night.   Thank you for being my best supporter and always listening to my side of things when my heart was broken because of a silly fight with my best friend at school… and then gently helping me to see the other side of the story too.

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My senior picture, 1980

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Thank you for being the mom that you were when I was a teenager.  The  mom that was patient when I was bratty, kind when I wasn’t, and tender when I was hard.  Thank you for  knowing how to laugh and have fun, playing crazy card games with us way into the night on a Friday night but also for the serious talks reminding me what was right and true.  Thank you for teaching me how to work… for making me get out of bed early during the summer to hoe weeds in the garden, or to butcher a few chickens, or pick and can the produce from the garden… all with the faithfully kept promise of an afternoon swimming at the river when the work was done.  Thank you for your big heart that welcomed anyone into our home and treated them with nothing but kindness.  Thank you for teaching me to be kind and forgive others when my feelings were hurt, because you were mature enough to know that everyone has their own battles and oftentimes hurt others without realizing it.  

 

Thank you for being the mom that you were when I was a young woman trying to find my way in the world and feeling so alone.  For driving four hours to the city where I lived to bring me a few things from your kitchen to make my apartment kitchen feel more like home.  Thank you for the weekly letters you wrote (in the days when it was too expensive to talk on the phone) that encouraged me to be true to myself and to what I knew was right.

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Mom, on my wedding day 1982

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Thank you for being the mom that you were when I was a young wife.  For gently helping me to give of myself and love my husband.  Thank you for loving my husband like he was your own son and treating him with respect and kindness.  Thank you for helping me to be strong when life was hard and for your beautiful example of how to be a loving wife.

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My Mom and Dad with my daughter’s girls, 2017

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Thank you for being the mom that you were when I was raising my own children.  For continuing to be such a beautiful example of grace in motherhood.  For listening to my frustrations, fears and worries and then knowing exactly what to say to soothe my weary heart.  Thank you for showing that same wisdom to my daughter now as she raises her children.  

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My Mom and Dad with me celebrating the end of my cancer journey, 2006.  (My hair was just beginning to grow back from chemo!) 

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Thank you especially for being the mom that you are now.  The mom that still calls me and listens when I’m having a hard day.  The mom that laughs when I laugh and cries when I cry.  The mom that set aside everything in your own life to come and be by my side every minute of the day while I was going through the fight of my life with cancer.  The mom that held my hands, rubbed my back, and took care of my household so that I could heal and recover.  Thank you for never growing too old to be a help, encouragement and comfort to me.

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I am thankful that because of you, Mom, I am me.  I love you with all my heart. 

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My parents on their 60th wedding anniversary, 2017

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A letter from Mom to my husband and I one year after I was diagnosed with breast cancer.  I will always cherish this letter.  

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Me with my Mom and Dad at their home in New Mexico, 2016.

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Happy Mothers Day friends.  I would love to hear from you telling me what are the things you are most thankful for with your mother?

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And now…  the two winners to my fabric tape giveaway from last month are:

Carol and Cyndie!

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Until our gravel roads cross again… so long,

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Dori

  1. Mlarlene Capelle says:

    Probably the nicest gift she’ll ever get.

  2. Kim Rice says:

    Oh Dori,
    I absolutely loved your Mother’s Day tribute to your sweet momma. And after the tears stopped, i read it again. It’s lovely to see that you know how blessed you are and thank you for sharing it! You are carrying on the tradition with your children and there is no better tribute than that for your momma!
    All the pictures are beautiful!! And I’d love to know the story behind the first one!
    Happy Mother’s Day to your Mom, you and Andrea as well.
    Hugs,
    Kim

  3. Deb Bosworth says:

    Happy Mother’s Day, Dori!
    This letter to your mother explains a lot. A lot about who you are today. I can see where you get your creative talents. your patience, your passion for life and all things farmgirl, too. I can also see where you get your strength, perseverance and ability to devote yourself completely tho those who are in your care with joy, laughter and faith.
    You are so very blessed! Now, I’m off to write my mom a letter too, but I’ll have to type it because my handwriting is awful! Love ya! Deb

  4. Sunnie says:

    Great pictures, that is real nice to see all these. Looks like some real good memories have been made. Nice on your parents staying together!

  5. Joan says:

    You have a wonderful way with words!! A blessing for sure. I, for the last 60 years, wished my Momma a Happy Mother’s Day in heaven. I’m 73 now and have always wondered what it would be like,as an adult to have her around, so your writing and pictures give my heart joy. Happy Mother’s Day. God bless.

  6. Marilyn says:

    What a beautiful and touching story and tribute to your mom. God Bless.
    HAPPY MOTHER’S DAY to You and Your Mom
    Marilyn

  7. Stacy Russell says:

    What a wonderful story Dori, thank you for sharing. <3 Happy Mother's Day to you and yours! Hugs.

  8. bonnie ellis says:

    You are so lucky to have such a wonderful mom (and dad too). Being a mom and grandma too, I know how precious that letter will be to your mom. Happy mother’s day to your and your wonderful mom!

  9. Margaret Hofknecht says:

    This is so sweet. My mom’s been gone since 1999 and Ibhave those moments when I’d give anything just to hang out with her in her too-hot apartment and watching old movies that started her childhood crush: Gary Cooper.

  10. Vivian Monroe says:

    Dori, so beautiful your letter to your mom and your moms letter to you and your husband. I could see how very blessed you are to have a mom that did life with you..I did not have a mom growing up, but my dad was my mom…and he was an excellent one.. 🙂 I have always watched how girls treat their moms and their relationships sometimes with envy but then I look at my daddy and know that I was just as blessed… I now call my mom once a week and check on her and let her know she is loved.. we never know why people do what they do or what sort of life they had as to why they may not know how to be a mom, but our part is to love them as the Word tells us to do, because regardless they are our parent, and the only commandment with a promise is to honor our parents… but more importantly we are to love one another… thank you for sharing such sweet sentiments and your heart.. I can tell your mom is a treasure… Happy Mothers day to you and all the mothers out there.. 🙂

    • Dori Troutman says:

      Dear Vivian,

      I loved what you wrote about your Dad so much. What a treasure he was. And your kindness and love to your Mom, even in heartache, is so wonderful to hear. It really warmed my heart and encouraged me so much. You are a special lady Vivian.

      Hugs,

      Dori

    • Deborah Apodaca says:

      I love how your Love is unconditional ❤️

  11. maureen bruner says:

    You are truly blessed. Happy Mother’s Day!

  12. Carol says:

    Hi Dori … What a beautiful tribute to your Mom! I was so touched by all that you said! You have a loving family and this post warmed my heart! I am one of the lucky cloth tape winners and I am so excited to receive my package. God Bless you and yours! Carol

  13. Sandi says:

    Happy Mothers Day Dori! I believe that being a mother is the ultimate joy of any woman, to be the creator of a life, to cherish what we bring into this world. It is a miracle and it happens daily. A woman is blessed in many ways when she becomes a mother. Thank you for your letter to your mom.

  14. Jodie says:

    Dori! It just took me forever to get through that letter because I had to wipe my tears nearly after every sentence! What a beautiful letter! I’ve often thought I’d like to meet your momma and daddy as you always talk so sweetly about them, but this just tops the cake! What a lovely relationship you and your momma have. I loved that you shared all of those wonderful photos! My momma came to visit me about a month before mother’s day. She’s in Iowa and I’m in Oregon. We were able to break away one night and have our own time and we got to reminisce and I got to thank her for everything as I was growing up. I always knew I had it good and my relationship with momma was special, but I knew even more once I had my own babe. A lot of good memories of my childhood and how momma would handle a situation come flooding back as my son ages. Thanks for sharing your letter. Take care, Dori.

  15. Rhoda Tuckey says:

    What a lovely tribute to your Mother! I know her in my spirit! I know that as a woman of God her prayers are for me as well. I am so happy for the heritage your parents have given you and I am so happy to have had this email for encouragement even though I do not know you personally in this life. Thank you so much for this wonderful encouragement on Mother’s Day. May the heritage of your family last forever and on into eternity. God Bless!

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