This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2013, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
Many of us can quote the wonderful statement attributed to Abraham Lincoln: "All that I am, or hope to be, I owe to my angel mother." Mother's Day is upon us, and many mothers don't feel angelic.
However, today's mothers are almost superhuman. With sports events and lessons all over the map, they are dedicated chauffeurs. They are organizers, not only of time, but of equipment and attire.
Mothers are appreciators of their child's first flicker of talent, the teachers of first steps and words and on to complicated skills.
They are counselors for school and careers as well as how to mend a broken heart. They are empathizers to dreamers and to those who take paths less traveled.
Mothers are the warriors who take down worrisome fears and imaginary monsters, enablers for fantastic science projects and slick Pinewood Derby cars. They are the steady hand and the unfailing believers in their children — infant or adult.
Mothers do it all, some dressed as the professionals they are, some in faded jeans and Keds, bag packed with juice, food, diapers and wipe-ups — and cell phone in hand. Surely, they must have angel hearts!
Carolyn B. Nelson
Salt Lake City