In the (belated) spirit of Mothers Day and my siblings, I wanted to post a tribute written about my mom by my sister Jill.
My mom is amazing.
She’s not on t.v., running marathons, or holding public office, but she is amazing.
If you know Ann Fillmore, then you already know what I’m talking about. If you’re not lucky enough to have met her, you’ll just have to take my word for it.
My mom started out as a shy dark-haired girl in Salt Lake who wore her sister’s hand-me downs and played the cello. Her mom died when she was only 12, but she persevered and blossomed as a young woman. She went on to become a camp counselor, a BYU student, an elementary school teacher, and a wife, marrying Bruce Fillmore almost 37 years ago. When my older sister was born, Mom finished up the school year and then took a break from teaching, at least the teaching that brings in a paycheck. I was her second daughter, and seven more daughters joined the family, followed by a son.
My mom changed over 30 years worth of diapers, almost half of them the old fashioned cloth kind. Beyond the necessary labors of running a household, my mom also taught tole painting lessons, typed up roadshows and skits for girls camp, kept a large garden running, canned produce--sometimes with little helpers but often alone, cut and painted wooden crafts, cared for a daughter with a disability, made a half-dozen teacher gifts each May, and sewed Halloween costumes each fall. She served in just about every stake and ward Relief Society, Young Women, and Primary calling along the way, frequently while my dad was the Bishop or in the Bishopric. For a relaxing break, she would go to girl’s camp or lead us all on cross-country vacations from Pennsylvania to Utah in a big brown Chevy van.
Sometimes I describe my mom as having a great big spring inside her that is always wound up, going the extra mile full steam ahead when others, including her children, would rather stop and rest or give less than our best efforts.
My mom is truly amazing. It’s easy to glorify her “supermom” status and all of her considerable talents. Most amazing, however, is that she is neither proud nor preachy about her own greatness. My mom is certainly not perfect, but she loves with her whole heart. She genuinely relishes the opportunity to be of service to others, and she is quick to deflect attention or praise away from herself.
I know we’re not supposed to compare ourselves to other people, but in my case it’s pretty unavoidable. So does a daughter or son go about “measuring up” to such an example? First of all, it’s impossible, so I know if I’m not as amazing as she is, that’s okay! Second of all, she’s had a big head start on me or any of my siblings, so I can take comfort that I have a long time to keep trying. And third, she blessed the world with ten children, so we can divvy up the responsibility of following in her footsteps.
As I look at my siblings in their adult metamorphoses, I see all of my mom’s qualities and talents spread out like strands of a bracelet. This is just a superficial list, but Shellie is the master organizer, and very crafty. I studied teaching in college. Katie has written skits and has given her children the gift of lots of siblings close in age. Marcie goes the extra mile wholeheartedly and loves to travel. Melinda has a great sense of humor and excels at languages, Stephanie is optimistic and loves camping, Jan is a first-rate writer and tackles big publishing projects, Rachel makes others feel comfortable around her, and Mark is musical and very verbal. I can’t wait to get to heaven and see which of Mom’s talents Robyn possesses.
Of course, it’s not as distinct as this list would seem; I see my mom and my dad’s good qualities in all of my siblings. She gave me the gift of a devoted mother, a lifelong friend, and an inspiring pattern to follow.
Happy Mother’s Day!
--Jill
1 comment:
That is a sweet letter your sister wrote. Glad you enjoyed the Harward get together. Of course you could come back and be a part of those get togethers any time you like....or even just without the get together. I was thinking about you guys the other day when it was really hot. I thought...remember when Ephraim & Melinda used to come out to enjoy our air conditioning and how much fun we had...it's just not as much fun without you guys around.
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