Mother's Day

I am not alone in saying that I have a mother. Everyone drawing breath does. These are some of the reasons I am thankful for my own special mother.

I was born March 14, 1970 to Sandra K. Weber Kestner as her first child. My mother was single at the time of my birth due to the unfortunate circumstances of my father's deployment to VietNam. So, having been born early - (the exact amount of weeks or days are still up for debate in the family), my mother spent my first 4 or 5 months as my singular constant nurturer. (Not to discount my Aunt Holly who came out to the Naval base to help for a few weeks). My mother witnessed my first roll over, my first push up, my first poop in my diaper, and probably several sleepless nights. When my father returned home from the war, she made sure that I looked my best and was there to be seen by a proud papa.

I can't imagine what that reunion must have been like, but I am sure that it was sweet.

As I grew, my mother was good at making sure that my outfits matched (or at least looked good for the early to mid '70's), my hair was clean and cropped, and that I always felt loved. She is /was a gifted seamstress and made alot of our early clothes.

My early teachers in school probably all still have in their possession the handmade doilies that she made them as thank you gifts for being my teacher.

My mother taught all of her children early on, the arts of crochet and such. For many years of my early childhood, I recall making handmade gifts for Christmas presents to Grandmothers, aunts and other special people in our lives. Does anybody still have the hot pot holders I made? Thank my mother.

As Cub Scouts came around for me and my younger brothers, my mother stepped in as a leader and took all of the training required to make our cub scouting experience as good as it could be. After a time, she was recognised as a very good Den Leader and was asked to be on the District's training team. As a trainer, she was responsible for teaching other new leaders how to be good Cub Scout leaders. A while later, she was asked to be the Council's training coordinator. She spent hours on behalf of young boys throughout the Portland Metro area. If you were a Cub Scout from about 1980 to 1990, chances are, your leaders would have been influenced by ideas of my mother. I can't remember the exact year, but about the time she was lessening her responsibilities to Cub Scouts, she was recognised as the winner of the District "Person of the Year" (I can't remember what the award was actually called - but it was a big deal.) Then, finally, she was nominated and approved to receive the "Silver Beaver" award. This award is almost the highest honor a scouting volunteer can receive. I know that she is still to this day very proud of this achievement. And she should be.

As my Scouting became more difficult, she saw to it that both my brother and I were involved in a good troop of scouts - one that was active and had a great program. In this case, it meant that in the early 80's with gas prices rising, she drove us about 20 miles to our troop meetings at the Family of Christ Lutheran Church in Felida, WA. She never saw it as a sacrifice - it was what she expected from herself.

As I grew, mom was always there to lend a word or two of encouragement and really, I could talk to her about almost anything. Some of my deepest regrets were that I didn't always show her the respect that she deserved.

I still remember some of the poignant talks that we had together as I was getting ready to go on my mission. She was always quick to bear testimony of her beliefs and for a time, her testimony was enough to carry me through my doubts.

My parents were never wealthy, but I was one of the richest, luckiest kids I knew - my mother would sacrifice heaven and earth to make sure that I had what I needed. Time, energy and frankly a Taxi service to get me to where I needed to be.

As I have started my own family, my mother's roll has changed more to that of Grandmother - I think she likes that roll best. My children love to be with their Grandma Sandy. She is cool. When she is here, she has no fear of learning our little town of Pocatello - and running them where they need to be or want to be. I have NO reservations of leaving my children in her care. She will bake for them, cook for them and give them all of the love and attention neither my wife or I can due to us also being authority figures in their lives. In other words, she spoils them ROTTEN!

I would actually have it no other way.

If this blog post has made you believe that growing up with my mother was pure bliss, you missed the point. She is human and has her shortcomings as well. She did have to discipline and act as gate guard, too. Life was not always grand, but we did always know that she loved us.

I love my mother and am grateful for her.

Happy Mother's Day, Mom!