Where's a Mom When You Need One?

What do you do when you no longer have a mom around to teach you all the things you haven't learned in life yet?  You adopt one.

I have to say I adopted a mom once, but she left and went on a mission and then went on another mission and now is working in the Salt Lake Temple.  Needless to say, she's not around any more.  I still stay in touch with her--kinda, but not as well as I'd like.  I understand she's coming into town in the spring, and I'm very excited to see her and catch up with her.  I still want to be like her when I grow up.

I hope she knows how much I love her.  When she comes, I'm going to tell her, so she knows without a doubt.

I now have adopted another mom.  She's fabulous!  Funny thing is, it seems like nearly every young woman in the ward has adopted her as well.  She's THAT fabulous.

I really didn't wake up one morning thinking "I need a mom, so I'm gonna go find me one."  It all kind of happened by inspiration.  I woke up one morning knowing that I needed to talk to someone.  I needed a level head and kind heart to put me straight and make me feel okay.  This woman was the one I needed to talk to.  I just knew it, so I called her.

She came out to my car that day and cried with me.  She helped me feel whole again.  Since that time, life's been good.  She, whether she wanted to or not, in my heart, became my adopted mom.

Last night, #1 and I went over to visit this woman.  I tried on my dress for the gala for her.  I told her to be honest with me.  She asked me how I wanted to feel at the gala.  I started to express my feelings about not being too matronly (haha!  Isn't that what I'm supposed to look like at this thing?).  She simply said, "Follow me," and led me upstairs.  She walked into her closet and pulled out two AMAZING dresses.  She let me try them on.

I was SHOCKED at how gorgeous I looked (am I allowed to say that about myself?).  I NEVER look like that any more.  The other SHOCKER was that I could FIT into them.  She's a very stylish, petite person.  I told her, if nothing else, she increased my self-esteem by huge percentage points just to think I could fit into her clothes.

Here's the most amazing thing....She's letting me BORROW one of her dresses.  Wow!!!  I'm so excited now.   April 16th couldn't get here soon enough.  To be honest, with my dress, I was dreading it a bit.  I knew I'd be severely under-dressed.  I'm SO grateful for her kindness.

I'm so grateful for women who fit the need my heart has and take the time to teach me the things I still need to learn.  There have been a number of times in my life when I've been humbled by the thought that such amazing people would take the time for me.  I hope someday I can repay.