I don't really know how I feel about "mother's day", but I know how I feel about mothers, and I know exactly how I feel about my mother in particular.
Basically, what's not to love? She's selfless, and gentle, and generous, and kind. And my favorite thing about her is that I can slide her name right into 1 Corinthians 13.
My mama is patient, she is kind. she does not envy, she does not boast, she is not proud. She does not dishonor others, she is not self-seeking, she is not easily angered, she keeps no record of wrongs. My mama does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. She always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.
My mama managed to raise me straight through hell and still loves me with her whole heart and for that and many more reasons I am forever in awe of this woman.
I always knew there was something very special about this woman, even though she wouldn't let me eat ice cream whenever I wanted, or watch TV on weekdays. She would tell us to go play in the yard every chance we could and never said a word when we dug up her garden to make "stew" for our kitchen.
One summer she let us drag the hose into the basement, wet the entire floor, and pretend we were ice skaters wearing our roller blades. She may not have known about it at first, but she never did seem mad about it, and she even appeared to watch the final performance.
My mom homeschooled us all for first grade so that she could teach us how to read herself. She took us on so many field trips that I can't even imagine how those years counted educationally, but they did, and I've never learned more. We even made applesauce in the kitchen the old fashioned way, wearing pilgrims costumes.
My mom was the first person to ever tell me that I was a writer, and she always encouraged me to submit my stories to contests when I was little. When my bratty little self decided I couldn't stand to be homeschooled for some reason, she put me in public school, and didn't say a word when I came home crying every night because the kids were so mean. Or even when I refused to back.
When I got older she made me tea when I left school and walked home without telling anyone, because she knew exactly what I needed. She never assumed that I was a "messed up kid", even when that's all anyone else could see.
When it came time for her to let me go, 3 years before she had expected to send me away from home, she did so with the love, compassion, and the grace of Jesus Christ.
For me, mother's day is a ridiculous holiday. It's an excuse to honor our mothers just one day a year. Without this woman that I call mom, not only would I have never been born, but I wouldn't still be living right now. She has been my hope and strength in so many instances when I have had neither.
I only hope that I can nurture another life the way she has nurtured mine.
"I'll love you forever, I'll like you for always, as long as I'm living, my mama you'll be"
Simply beautiful! Your mom and I were close friends all through our growing up days. Though life seems to get in the way of keeping in touch, I still count her as a dear friend. I clearly remember one Saturday morning in middle school (though we called it Junior High back then), she said to me, "Let's write a book!" It was the first time I considered being a writer. Looks like she's had that influence on us both! :0) Send her my love.
ReplyDeleteLeslie Hi! I remember you well! Thank you so much for reading! I love the story you shared about my mom. I will definately give her your love!
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