As I sit on the weekend of another Mother’s Day, (I have been a “mom” for almost 30 years now!) I am thinking about my kids, Victoria and Steele…I am hoping and praying that I have been THE MOM that THEY needed, that has instilled in them values and high expectations for a great life, and that they have known unconditional LOVE from me and their Dad. I am watching the sun rise in Vail this morning and wondering how MY Mom is doing…does she know how much I love her and how proud I am to be her oldest daughter? I also hope that she gets my card and gift today! LOL!
Does my Daughter in Law, Danielle, know that SHE is the best woman for my son and I am so grateful for her? She is going to be an amazing Mom one day!
And of course, when you get married, you get a second Mom! Helen, my mother in law, has been a source of strength and inspiration and humor to her entire family! She will be 90 this summer and I hope that she knows how much we all love her.
Does YOUR Mom know how YOU feel about her? Do you have that kind of relationship where the first person you want to share an awesome day, or that not so awesome stuff with, is your Mom? Do you make decisions sometimes thinking if your Mom would approve? Moms seem to know just what to say; there is something to be said for their “life experience”.
Moms can take many forms as I have found in my life…just think about it! They don’t have to give you birth, but there was a special gift of a “mom” sometime in your life when you needed her, a woman that “filled the gap.”
When you went to camp for the first time and your counselor was an awesome young woman who was fun and creative and you could talk to her when your Mom was being too strict (we have all been there!)…she was there for you. Or what about when you went away to college and your Mom was hundreds of miles away---did you have an Aunt nearby that made dinner for you once a week or did your laundry, or an upperclassman in school that you learned some great life lessons from, that helped thru that awful class or your first break up? Just think of all the special women that you have been blessed with knowing and sharing life with---and all of those women that WILL be coming into your life soon!
I moved away from home when I got married at 22. It was hard leaving my entire family but I was looking forward to this new chapter as we drove that UHaul down to Dallas. I have talked to my mom since about the feelings of watching her first kid leave…she still holds those mixed feelings 35 years later. A mother’s heart is always with you. We joined a church very soon after arriving where we met amazing people, some younger and many older than myself that became fast and long-time friends. These women have been solid for me, they have been there to share the birth of my kids, they have been there for me through some hard times and much more joy! I want to thank them for that time in my life; some of them have not been “physical” Moms, but the relationship that I have with them is a very strong one, even today, and they have those mom characteristics that I want to emulate in my life.
What are some of those traits? 1. A positive attitude 2. They are creative 3. They are inspiring 4. They have a sense of loyalty 5. They are patient! 6. They take responsibility 7. They have determination 8. They’re trustworthy 9. They have great communication skills (verbal and non-verbal!) And lastly, 10. They are honest, most of the time!! (white lies sometimes are necessary to make us feel better!) share by Claudya Martinez, 2015, Mom.me
And then there are those women, moms and friends (and my sisters) that I am “doing life” with today. They have been placed in my life NOW for such a time as I am walking through to be my Tribe---they are walking beside me, sharing experiences of their adult children and grandchildren-- we are lifting each other up, we are praying for bright and happy futures, and sometimes we are frustrated at times with obvious choices that are not made! I couldn’t be more thankful for all the special moms that I have in my life today!
I hope you recognize who those moms are in your life. Take a moment and realize how blessed you are; Maybe share your love and thanks with them and know that sometimes a kind loving word is all that is needed to brighten a small corner in that special lady’s life. If you are around your Mom this week, go have coffee or lunch with her. Take the time! Soon, you will wonder where it went!
I will leave you with a quote that speaks to me about my Mom, being a mom and all the wonderful women in my life---
“A mother is the truest friend we have, when trials heavy and suddenly fall upon us; when adversity takes the place of prosperity; when friends desert us; when trouble thickens around us, still will she cling to us, and endeavor by her kind precepts and counsel to dissipate the clouds of darkness, and cause peace to return to our hearts.” ~Washington Irving, Writer