Deseret News readers share gratitude for mothers

My mom always did sweet small acts of kindness and encouraged us to find good in others. Once she told me that someone said something nice about me and that I had to tell her something nice about someone else before she would tell me what was said about me. One thing she did for me that warmed my heart was when I was serving and LDS Mission in Liberty Missouri. I was on my second Christmas out and feeling very homesick. The first year, she sent me a cute stocking she had purchased me for Christmas, and I loved it. The second year my dear mom sent me my Christmas stocking that I have had since I was very small. It was made of terry cloth and had a cat on it. The cat had a Santa hat and had a candy cane tail. It was very worn from many years of use. My mom filled it with gifts before she sent it and when I opened it, I cried. I can't remember all that was in the stocking, but I remember the warmth that filled my heart that Christmas because I knew I was still my mom's girl. In my life I have struggled to feel special and significant. My mom is one person who helps me feel like I matter. - Tamara Johnson