Mother May I?

Mother's Day has always been one of my favorite holidays and has come to mean even more to me over time. I have been influenced by so many wonderful women in my life! My mother, my grandmothers, my aunts, mission president's wife, primary teachers, young women leaders and advisers, Relief Society sisters, bishopric wives, teachers, friends, mothers of my friends, and more. All the women in my life have helped me to want to be a better person and have given me strength and courage to face challenges. I am grateful to all of you!

When I was very young I learned to play the game Mother May I? One person was "mother" and the object of the game was to get to her first by asking questions and getting permission to move closer to her. For example "Mother may I take two giant steps toward you?" The person playing "mother" than had to give permission "yes you may." Many of you are probably familiar with this game.

Mother, Scott (red), me (blue)

Today I realize this game was teaching a few lessons. First was to be respectful and ask mother but more importantly, to point my life toward her and her example. I have learned that if I followed her example I would come closer to my Father in Heaven.

"One cannot forget mother and remember God. One cannot remember mother and forget God. Why? Because these two sacred persons, God and mother, partners in creation, in love, in sacrificie, in service, are as one." (Thomas S. Monson,"Behold Thy Mother," Ensign, April 1998)


Pointing my life toward to follow the example of my mother is not so easy because she is remarkable in all that she does but I try.

Mother May I... love as you love?

My mother has such a big heart. I remember her being called to a position in the church and being there when she was going to be set apart. My dad was asked to describe my mother's qualities and he said the biggest one is her charity and love toward others.

There are countless experiences when I would come in the kitchen and find my mother cooking meals, or rolls, or banana bread or other food items to take to families in need. She helped those with new babies, those who were sick, and those who needed comfort. She was always willing and always happy to serve.

Mother May I... play as you play?

My mother loves to have fun and loves to play games. She was always taking time to play games with us as a kid. It didn't matter what the game was she was in. She would play on the floor with us or outside. She could outplay all my brothers in basketball. She rarely said no and was always there to be with us. 

Mother's birthday 2013

Mother May I... sacrifice as you sacrifice?

How can I begin to describe to sacrifices my mother has made and still makes? She is the mother of six children. She devoted all her time and attention and her life to us. She took care of us from the day we were born. I saw my mother made large and small sacrifices from giving up her desserts to satisfy a child to wearing worn out shoes while buying her children new clothes and shoes for school. She was our nurse, cook, chauffeur and so much more. In addition to driving kids to kindergarten, elementary school, middle school, and high school (one time all in the same year) she also took us to our music lessons. Each of took piano lessons and then cello, violin, viola, clarinet lessons. She ran from one thing to the next and somehow still always had a delicious hot dinner ready for us every night. I don't know how she did it. She went through scouting with five sons and managed to come to girl's camp each year with me. When each of her children have been on missions she wrote to us faithfully every week. For me, her letters provided me the strength to keep going. Her life has been spent serving her children.

The Torrie Clan: Dad, Mom, Scott, me, Darren, Jason, Bradley(picture), and John

My mother also serves faithfully in her callings. She has held many positions in the church and always did all that she could. Most importantly to her was to be a faithful visiting teacher. She loved those around her and was always able to make people smile.

Mother May I... testify as you testify?

My mother loves the Gospel of Jesus Christ and has always made sure her children know that she has a testimony. She is never afraid to  share that testimony with others. I remember her always telling me to keep a copy of the Book of Mormon in my car. She says cars run better when there is one inside. There were many times when I have found her on her knees praying or reading her scriptures. She made sure her children were in church each week and never allowed us to wander the halls during Sacrament Meeting. She wanted us to know where we needed to be. She made sure we attended seminary and with my father ensured we had family prayer and scripture study each week.

I feel blessed for the mother I have. She is beautiful inside and out. My goal is to be just like her... Mother may I? 

Love you mom!

BYU graduation 2014 (me and mother)