For every woman who has ever wondered if she gives enough . . .

As mothers, grandmothers, nurturers, and caregivers, we are often tempted to view our ordinary daily contributions as an endless string of undersized tasks, none of which seems worthy of any special consideration. But they are.

This collection of small and simple moments provides reassurance that — although our humble, little offerings may not seem significant at the time - these tiny acts undeniably make an immeasurable difference in the lives of those we love.

The Mother's Mite is, in itself, an offering — a truly human journey of sharing the joys and challenges of motherhood in ways that enrich all that are involved. In this time when families are in a state of crisis, when even LDS families search for new levels of intimacy and meaning, this nice little volume is a welcome addition to the literature. Not at all preachy, but always eminently practical, it will surely find a welcome place in Mormon homes everywhere.” — Association for Mormon Letters

Contents:
Acknowledgments
Introduction: On Offerings
• Teacups
• "Thick and Thin" Mothers
• The Coolest Date
  Wrestling Popcorn Recipe
• Watching at the Window
• Fuzzy Slippers
• Goddess in Training
• Frosting Flowers
  Frosted Flower Cookies Recipe
• Roots
• Pennies from Heaven
• Meteors past Midnight
• Birthday Pie
  "Easy as Pie" Recipe
• Picnics and Politics
• The Family Star
• Magic Fingers
• Asparagus Soup
  Creamy Asparagus Soup Recipe
• Nana's Bells
• The Enchanted Dryer
• Celebr-eight-ing the Moment
• Cinnamon Swirl Bread
  Cinnamon Swirl Bread Recipe
• The Surprise Visit
• Bette's Bottomless Handbag
• Hunting for Courage
• Churning Ice Cream
  Old-Fashioned Ice Cream Recipe
• Jessica's Garden
• Scattering Seashells
• Ladies in Waiting
• Grandma Jo
  Oven S'mores Recipe
• A Mother's Might
• Conclusion: Giving Our All

“Thick and Thin” Mothers
One crisp autumn evening, while speaking in a southern state, I met a remarkable woman named Susanne. She was a Christian, married, but unable to have children of her own. So she determined to find opportunities to “mother” those around her. And one of those mothering opportunities came by volunteering in her community through the local chapter of the Boys and Girls Club.

Susanne was happily assigned to mentor a beautiful teenage girl who was being raised solely by her father. And because this young woman had seen some very turbulent times during her early years of life, she had plenty of both baggage and attitude. Even though Susanne was not the girl’s biological mother, and certainly didn’t deserve the treatment this troubled teen often dished out, she stuck by this girl’s side through thick and thin. She listened to, hauled around, often fed, and supremely loved this girl—even when the teen’s behavior was decidedly unlovable.

Though Susanne could have walked away at any time, she chose to stay . . . because she was a mother. A mother? you ask. But Susanne was unable to give birth. This wise and wonderful woman soon realized that merely “giving birth” does not a mother make. And while she never tried to replace this teenage girl’s biological mother, Susanne wanted to consistently be there for the girl in every maternal way possible.

I’ve heard it said that some women give birth and never really mother, while other women never give birth and mother all of their lives. And I believe it’s true. Take Mother Teresa, for example. Though she never gave birth to a child of her own, she spent her entire life mothering the poor, sick, aged, dying, or orphaned throughout India and other countries of the world. Born in 1910 as Agnes Gonxha Bojaxhiu, this Albanian Catholic nun became known as the “Saint of the Little Ways” because she believed in doing the little things in life well and with great love. (Sound familiar?) This small woman had an enormous heart. And through her organizations, she has cared for literally tens of thousands of people and her influence has been felt by hundreds of millions.

I have personally known many women who have opened their homes and hearts to the motherless children of the world. Several of my dearest friends have dreamed dreams about children in distant lands, only to search the world until those little ones were brought safely into their care. Others have found children in need nearby. But in each unique instance, it has been miraculous to watch these stories of love unfold.

Every time a child is nurtured here on earth it is sweet evidence that God, the Father of us all, is mindful of His children individually. Isn’t it humbling to realize that He uses us—simple, imperfect women—as His hands here on earth, whether we’ve actually given birth to those we mother or not?

My friend, Nancy, was adopted as a child. Recently, she and her husband also decided to adopt. And though Nancy had already given life to two healthy children, she and her husband gave the gift of new life to a child in need of a stable home. This treasured little girl is now blessed with a loving family, and this family is now blessed with even greater love and purpose.

We are all mothers, really, whether we’ve actually given birth or simply cared for another human being. And through our charity and compassion, we can—and will—change lives . . . especially our own.

The ­Offering
Nurturance
A charitable interest in others; affectionate care; giving loving attention.