Gwendolyn Riedel Hughes

Two years ago, December 30, 2007, my sweet mom, Gwendolyn Riedel Hughes, passed through the veil and into the arms of our Heavenly Father and her earthly father, William Riedel. (Mom always wanted a middle name but wasn't given one at birth. Sometimes she would make one up for herself. Her favorite was Gwendolyn Marie). I am sure the reunion has been and continues to be a blast! She had a great laugh and was always ready for an adventure (when she felt well). However, being her only daughter, I continue to miss her deeply. I think that the emptiness gets more profound with each passing event.

I have thought a lot lately, as this date has approached, about the things that I most remember mom teaching me. I am grateful for her life lessons.

She taught me to believe in myself. When I was in 7th grade I decided that I wanted to try out for cheerleader. I had absolutely no coordination and had never had a tumbling or dance class. I don't even have a voice that can yell. None of that mattered though. Mom encouraged me all the way through the humiliating try outs and when I was not picked (obviously), there was a darling arrangement of yellow carnations and white roses in my room with a poster stating "YOU'RE STILL NUMBER 1 TO ME!". This was the beginning of many times mom reminded me of my value with that little statement. It never mattered the outcome, regardless of the competition, I always knew I was number 1.

She taught me to work hard. Mom's life was filled with illness and surgeries. Regardless of how she felt, she would always work hard to provide the best for her family. After working all day she would come home and make incredible meals for us every night. Most nights dinner was at 9:00-10:00 but it was important for her to make us full course dinners every night. She was an amazing cook.

She taught me to be organized and clean and use my time wisely. Cleanliness and organization was not an option. I always knew what was expected of me when it came to how my room was to be kept, including when I was a teenager. Needless to say, I didn't lose a lot of things because mom always said that everything has a place and if you are the one to put it in that place, then you should know where to find it. I am so grateful now for the gift of organization and time management.

She taught me to be generous. Mom was always giving gifts to everyone she knew needed something. If a neighbor had a baby, they were showered with an abundance of gifts. She was known for giving all of her nieces and grandchildren pajamas for Christmas. Something they all miss. I remember one time in particular, Rick was a home teacher for a family who were struggling. We decided that we would buy some groceries and help them out a little. When I mentioned this to mom, she decided that even though she didn't even know the family, she would double what we were able to provide.

She taught me of the importance of faith and the power of prayer. Mom's relationship with Heavenly Father was one that was built upon faith. She knew that if she would just pray, everything would be okay. She had so many faith building experiences and always gave credit to Heavenly Father for all of her blessings.

I miss calling her and telling her simple things about my life and getting the exact response I need, whether it's a good laugh or a good swear word because I don't dare say them myself. She wasn't perfect but she wanted so badly to be a good person. Mom was feisty and had a glare that could scare anyone. You knew you were in the "dog house" if you were the recipient of "the look". Fortunately, she never held a grudge and your time in the dog house didn't last long.

I loved watching movies with her, shopping with her, talking on the phone with her, working side by side with her (most of the time), helping her decorate her house, going to lunch at The Tiffin Room at ZCMI where we really felt like fancy ladies, and talking about the girls' trips that we were going to take "someday". We never did.

Mom was a beautiful lady who loved me with a mother's love that always made me feel safe. I think that is the thing I miss the most. I also have the knowledge that mom knew how much I loved her too. I have no regrets about my relationship with her.

Mom, I miss you. You're still number 1 to me.