Last Letter To Mom

It is difficult to express my love and gratitude to without giving me time to write, edit and re-edit my letter to you. Instead, I am going to just write what comes to mind as I have thought about this long enough and don’t have more time.

I want you to know that I love you and will never forget the things you have taught me. I can only imagine leaving us and the fears you might have at this time. Remember that you have not only taught us to look to the Savior but have shown us through your life that you have a testimony of Him and keep His commandments. We are going to be ok and we will never forget you.

There are lots of memories of you I would love to write, but instead I want you to know some of your qualities that I love about you:

The first quality I love is that you were always so much fun. All my friends loved coming over to my house because they thought you were so cool. I remember Jared and Nathan and other friends always wanting to do sleepovers at my house because they preferred you being the “mom to watch us” if someone’s mom had to be there. That didn’t seem to ever stop. As long as I can remember, all of our friends loved coming to our house because they knew they were welcome and that you loved all of them.

One trait you have that sometimes embarrassed me and sometimes I loved was your ability to get what you wanted. Actually, that probably sounds bad but I regard this as a trait of success. I remember calling radio station one evening and not being the right caller to win tickets to an event. You called back and just asked if I could have the tickets anyways. You negotiated for about 5 minutes with the DJ before he gave them to you. I think I adopted this trait in you.

In addition with the previous trait of getting what you want, you have the incredible desire to work until you achieve your goals. This is another one of your characteristics that I love so much. I believe that hard work will get us further in life than by potential alone, and your example of hard work is instilled in me. I remember you helping me set up my first door to door job selling vegetables. I would carry our garden vegetables to all the neighbors until I had enough money to buy a wagon. Then I kept selling until I had enough money for something else. You taught me that I could achieve any of my goals if I worked hard enough.

Another quality I love about you is your unconditional love for everyone. I don’t know how many foster kids we had growing up. My guess is around 50-75. Even at an early age I was able to see the love and care you have for everyone. You will certainly not be lonely up in heaven as I am certain you have plenty of people eager to thank you for the charity and Christ-like love you gave to their children and grandchildren. I have a soft spot in my heart for children that grow up without good parents and it is something I have because of the example you showed all your life.

The final thing I will remember is your testimony of the restored gospel of Jesus Christ. You have left no doubts that you have a testimony of Jesus Christ, that he is the Savior and Redeemer. I know we will see you again and that through the Atonement of Christ, we will all live again together.

Mom, I love you and want you to know we will never forget you. I am so glad we had a little girl we could name after you. We named her Ruby Elizabeth after you and she will be a constant reminder to me of you. We will miss you and think of you often. You are leaving first and I am glad that you will be able to welcome us back one by one. Take care of our loved ones that are gone and are still to come.

Love,

Your Son Kyle