This was the day that everything changed. It was the day my Mom passed away. Every year I remember this day. Not in any attempt to wallow in remorse but to make sure I don't forget. As time goes by, you do start to forget. Little things like the way she smelled or even the sound of her footsteps at home. My brother had made a cd of a Relief Society lesson she had given at church. When I first listened to it, it took my breath away because it sounded like her. And to me she sounded like home.
There are some important things that I haven't forgotten. She is a Mom. She shaped my world. She taught me how to love, she taught me how to share, how to talk, how to read. She taught me how to live. Everyday that I live, everything that I love, anything that I learn - has always been following in the footsteps of Mom. My job going forward is to remember what I can and apply it to my own life. The missing-you-so-bad-that-it-hurts never really goes away - your heart just grows strong enough to deal with it. I don't wallow because my Mom never would.
Today is just a day of reflection and remembrance. To my friends who never knew her, here were some of her finer qualities:
Mother - (to 11 children, which she bore naturally)
Wife - She shared 40 happy years with my Dad
Testimony - Her most valued possession - her relationship with her Savior saw her through some difficult times.
Energy - Very active and very fun. Always getting people together for activities which typically involved some amount of athleticism.
Humor - Could laugh at anything. Easiest way to make her not mad was to make her laugh (which I used to my advantage as a teenager).
Athletic Ability - she was simply AMAZING at any sport she attempted. In college she lettered in Softball, Basketball, Volleyball, Diving and Swimming and was tested as the most coordinated athlete at BYU (out of men and women). She was ranked as a Masters division tennis player, played on the Mexican Olympic Basketball team, participated in the Pan-American games and was named female athlete of the year in Mexico. The year she passed away she was still doing back flips on the trampoline. Sometimes I wonder if I really AM her daughter.
***03/13/08 - Correction. My Dad informed me today that I was wrong - she lettered in 5 sports at BYU - the missing one was Volleyball. :)
And here are some pictures:
A picture of her basketball days. She is the one with the ball. Are you kidding me with those legs? This game was in Mexico, and soon afterward she was named female athlete of the year. I think they were afraid she was going to kick them with her muscular legs if she didn't win. :)
A picture of my Mom, Misha and myself in the Colonies in Mexico - we have just gone tubing and I was the shortest child ever.
Here she is in Europe during college. Yes, she is wearing lederhosen.
10 comments:
that is a great tribute. without her mother weeks would have been so boring. she ranks at the top of my all time favorite moms i've known!! Now that i saw the news clip she is #1 of legs i want! Holy cow those legs would make men jealous! she rocks. love to her always-kristal
I absolutely LOVED reading this, nikki.
your mom sounds incredible. getting to know her better helps me understand you! (and, yes, you are her athletic daughter... i have seen you head to toe neoprene :D)
I think these are the first photos I've seen of her too. You look a LOT alike-- matching dimples and all.
hugs to you. you are amazing.
Nikki, from all your stories, your mom is amazing. Feel good in knowing that you are as she is.. an amazing friend, an amazing wife, and just amazing in general. Call me if you need anything.
PS. All the Brown women have the same feet. Amazing as well.
What a sweet entry Nikki... You are incredible and it is nice to read about your mom... sounds like she was pretty amazing...
Hey Nikki. As one of your friends that did know and love your mom, I too miss her. Also, as someone that has lost a parent, I understand exactly what you are saying. It does get easier over the years, but luckily we still have all of their love in our hearts, and a ton of wonderful memories. Your mom was always so much fun, I have so many awesome memories of her. I couldn't have asked for better next door neighbors. We sure had a lot of fun growing up, didn't we!
I listened to that recorded lesson your mom gave with Zach. She was an amazing teacher/speaker. I love everything you wrote and got a bit teary eyed. You're right, she's got some serious muscle in those legs! Sure miss you...
thank you for sharing, nikki. this was beautiful.
great remembering and tribute as a post. do you have any pictures of her nearer to 2000 that might show her face closer--would love to see any of her about the time you were in high school....if you want to share.
lesli
beautiful post nikki. your mom would most certainly be proud of the amazing woman you have turned out to be. it sounds like she was a sparkplug herself...
Post a Comment