I Love You Mother

By Elder Ben B. Banks

Throughout my school years I never lacked for friends; in fact, I spent a lot of time with my friends. But the one who was always my confidante and whom I could always go to with any concern or discussion was my mother. I realize this may seem a bit unusual, but at the early age of two, I lost my father as a result of a construction accident. So my mother and I grew very close together, not only in a parent-child relationship but as best friends.

When I received my first electric train for Christmas at seven years of age, the two of us sat down and put the train together, just as friends would do. When I was eight years old and broke my arm because of a foolish prank, I remember how tender and kind she was, looking after my every need.

I remember the first winter after I received my driver’s license. I was driving down Parley’s Canyon in a blinding snowstorm and couldn’t see the road. All of a sudden I found myself off the side of the road into a snowdrift and had to abandon the car for the evening. The next morning, who was by my side with patience and understanding as a friend would be, helping me shovel the car out of the snowdrift? My mother.

We grew so close together over the years as friends that even after I was married she continued to teach me great lessons. We lived next door to each other. When I would return home from work, I had to pass her home before going into my home. During her later years she had arthritis, and I always worried about her health. One of the first days after my wife and I were married and I arrived home from work, I stopped in at my mother’s house before going to my own. I will never forget the experience of having her take me by the arm and escort me right back out of her house with this counsel, “You go see your wife first and tell her you love her. Then you can come and see me.”

Yes, my mother was always my best critic and my best advocate, as friends should be. As I mentioned earlier, I had many, many friends throughout my adolescence and teenage years, but the friend I was closest with, who had the most profound influence for good in my life, and whom I will always be grateful for is my mother.