Sheltons in the Sun

                                                         Jean Marie Decker Catmull

May 9, 2015
Blog #12   . . . A Mother’s Influence

This past month I’ve had in my mind the need to write about and share the incredible workings of this past transfer time. However, as I sit down to write, all I am thinking about is my mother and the other amazing mothers who have had such influence on how I view the world. I love serving this mission with my wonderful companion, but I haven’t yet adjusted to the lack of opportunity to see my children on a regular basis.

At an early age I knew that my mom thought her children were the best ever. I know we drove her crazy many times, but she lived for us. Mother had serious health issues her whole life, but they never stopped her from grasping every opportunity to try new adventures (she even tried water skiing for the first time after she’d had a radical mastectomy.) To manage her own health, she insisted we help in all areas in our home. Mom taught us to work. I learned to deep clean the house as early as I can remember. She worked as a school secretary, and she would have us come for days in the summer to help distribute text books, etc. to the classrooms. Our prize for helping was some of the unclaimed lost and found items. And she didn't like to cook, so she would bribe me to fix dinner by typing my school paper or helping me with a project. After we had already gone through six teachers who couldn’t handle our 13-year old beehive class, Mom was the only person in the whole ward who agreed to teach us in mutual.   We didn’t have much money, so I was elected to do mom’s hair most weeks for years. I learned to do many things because she asked.

Luckily for me, I was hired to teach in her school, Salt Lake High School, which put our relationship on a whole new level. Mom was certain that I could help those teen mothers who were struggling to stay in school and thrive. We laughed together, cried together, and ate lunch out every day for three years. She always had more faith in me than I did, and she was convinced that I could do anything. Through my many millions of mistakes, she still believed in me. . . she still cheered me on. And when she retired we still met weekly for lunch. Her last concern before she died was that she didn’t know who would take care of me. Mother taught me to love deeply and to take the time to see the best in others.

My dad’s mom, from Idaho, lived with us for several years. Grandma Catmull had fourteen children and had been through much hardship. She wanted independence, so daddy built her her own apartment in two of our homes. We spent hours talking, and she loved to quilt. She made great bread pudding. Ed I were first on the scene when we got a knock on the door and told that grandma had been hit and killed as she got off the bus after work. She has always stayed with me; she taught me the principle of endurance without losing faith.

Mom’s mom, from West Virginia, lived with us for about three years. Grandma Decker didn’t want the apartment, she liked being in the middle of things. She was a classy lady and loved beauty and charm. We would go out to lunch each week and she would share the memories of her earlier life. She taught me to see beauty all around.

Leah, my mother-in-law, was one of the most influential people in my life. She was always serving others. Anything she had, she would share. She taught me that people were always more important than things. And Merilyn, my new mother-in-law, (who feels like a sister) has shown me a perfect love as she nursed her husband, who dealt with poor health, for years. She loved unconditionally and without complaint.

These wonderful women have and continue to influence me in so many ways. If only I can be like them. I heard this described in a movie once, they’ve “become the voice in my head” as I strive to serve as I believe the Lord wants me to.

So, now I’m here with 200 young missionaries who miss their moms. I’ve watched them battle the homesickness as they serve with all their hearts, not only to please the Lord, but also to to make their mothers proud. They can’t wait ‘til tomorrow so they can talk to them. It is a gift to have the opportunity to serve with such outstanding missionaries. Each of my children had those wonderful people in their mission field who looked out for them and loved them; and now I hope Mike and I can return that favor by looking out for and loving someone else’s children. What a blessing they are in our lives.

I’m grateful for each of you and the influence you’ve had on me and on my family. Happy Mother’s Day to all of you who serve others. The relationship doesn’t have to be blood line, but rather love from the heart. We must “go and do likewise.”