Tribute to Mom

Maxine White Jensen

My mother passed away unexpectedly on May 31, 2013, in Boise, Idaho just 2 days before her 86th birthday. Mother has been our biggest fan and cheerleader since we have been gone.  Once a mother, always a mother, she has encouraged us on when things were rough and told us how proud she was to have us serving a mission.  She always wanted to know what she could do for us, and sent us care packages and deposited money in our bank account, just in case we needed it.   I think she was enjoying having her first experience as a missionary mom.

 As I contemplate the life she led I would describe her as always and forever a care giver.  Selfless and humble, her work in life was wrapped up in what she could do for others to make them smile, to give them strength both physically and emotionally, to lighten their load, to help them laugh and assure them that they were loved by her.  People seemed to be drawn to her as they sought out a listening ear or a word of encouragement.  She was neither judgmental nor preachy and always thought and spoke the best of others.  She believed that trials were better thought of as challenges, and that she could handle challenges!  Her positive attitude about life and her sense of adventure made her a joy to be around.  I feel so blessed to have had such an amazing mother.  We will miss her loving embrace when we return home.

I can hear Mother saying now, “Onward, onward”, for that was one of her favorite sayings, and that is exactly what we must do. . . move forward with a positive attitude, along the Gospel path that leads to our loving Heavenly Father and our eternal families.  She has set the pattern, we will do our best to follow in her footsteps.

 

"Remember that on the other side there is a great family reunion and much rejoicing. This farewell and our separation is their reunion and homecoming."

Pres. Ezra Taft Benson