Happy 49th Birthday Mom!

It is my hope that everyone both on Earth and in Heaven are as blessed as I am in this life and in the life to come. "Why?" you might ask...because of THIS LADY:

On March 14, 1962 she was born to goodly parents and boy am I grateful! If it weren't for her, I wouldn't be here and I wouldn't be who I am today. Lolohea (Moungaloa) Vaitai is the woman I call mother, teacher, friend and example...and I want to wish her a Happy 49th Birthday!

In my short life, she has taught me everything I know.  She never ceases to amaze me with her quick intuition. I've never known anyone to be as prepared for things both spiritual and temporal and I only hope to be half the woman she is when I become a wife and mother.

The term, "She's her mother's daughter", couldn't be better said when referring to the two of us. My sister like's to call my relationship with my mom a "mirror-image". We are in fact, one in the same...and even though I am teased and mocked for it, I'm grateful.

I'm blessed to have had my mom in my life and for all the memories I have of her. At times, I sit and try to imagine my life without her. The tears run down my cheeks, my eyes flood and my heart nearly stops at the thought, but it is also something that helps me to stay grounded, appreciative, but also to prepare for the inevitable.

Mom, you are the one lady I can trust to love me unconditionally, to keep it real and to lift me up when I'm down. Because of our relationship, you have taught me many important life lessons. Although there are many, these are my top favorites:

1. Always be honest.

2. Love & respect your sister - "No matter what, your sister is your sister. She's the oldest and because of that, she is blessed from Heaven above with a birthright that you and your brothers cannot take away. What she says goes, right or wrong." This has been a lesson I truly cherish because my relationship with my sister is similar to that of ours. I know that I will always have my sister. I'm grateful for that lesson you taught me at an early age to love and respect my sister, especially since she's my ONLY sister. Thank you Mom!

3. Teaching me to love and honor my brothers - Oh, you and your prince's. Sigh. For you to have such handsome and good boys has definitely made it easier for me to follow through with this lesson mom. haha. Thank you for blessing me with such awesome siblings. You have great sons and I'm grateful to you for raising such amazing men. Our relationship as siblings is what it is because you taught us girls to be close just as you taught the boys. And because of that, we as a whole are just that as well. I know they will be great Father's & Husbands one day because of you.

4. Respect for family and superiors - Goodness, where to begin with this mom? You portray this strongest when caring and dedicating your time and talents to Dad's family. I never would have learned this lesson had you not showed us it's truest meaning continuously throughout our lives. I know it is something you were raised with and were able to witness firsthand from Grandma Siosi, but I'm grateful that you have taught us the same. I will without a doubt teach my kids the same lesson for their Father's family when the time comes (hopefully sooner rather than later...I know you're ready to be a Grandma. Haha). Lesson learned: when with Dad's family, take rank and back down.

5. Work hard to get the best you can, but never think that you're better than anyone else - Yes, it's true Mom. No matter how much you may achieve, earn or make in this life, it should never make you think you're better than anyone else. Never put anyone down! Thank you Mom. I have heard you and Dad make this statement repeatedly throughout my life and I am humbled by such teaching to keep us kids grounded.

Obviously these are just a few of the things you've taught me. In addition to everything you have taught me, I'm grateful for your humor. Such a goofball/comedian just when we need. I can't even count the number of stories I've told my friends over the year that have totally made you a hit with them. You're definitely one-of-a-kind and I wouldn't have it any other way.

The last thing I'd like to thank you for is your acceptance of The Gospel of Jesus Christ. Because of it, you are an even greater asset to our family. Your willingness to join the Church, help strengthen dad's testimony of it and decision to raise us in the Gospel has led us to becoming an eternal family. It is such a joy to know that if we live righteously, we will have the opportunity to live eternally and not just here on Earth. I'm grateful for the family to which you and dad have brought me into and I'm sure the rest of the kids would surely agree. Mom, you are a treasure in each of our hearts and we're proud to call you Mother. May this birthday bring you all the joy you so desire with many more to come. HAPPY BIRTHDAY! 

 

Love always,

 

Lavinia V. Vaitai