I am my mother's daughter!

(circa 1979)

Oh dear... truly the acorn doesn't fall far from the tree!

Cliche...and yet, I see more of her in me as the years pass.
Whether it's "her" hand motions, pursing of the lips or a flipant chuckle now and then, I unconsciously parrot some of my mother's mannerisms and wonder... could these have been passed down from her mother?

Oh, our family trees!  So full of NUTS!

If your mother is still alive, find a way to celebrate her today. 
Don't put it off until an official day in May!
No matter the quality of your relationship, there is always something good to focus on, and no better time than NOW. 
Don't let little squabbles or defensiveness keep you from the joy of connectedness.
Family is too precious to take for granted!

~ HUGS to you Precious Ones ~

Thinking of MOM

Three years ago today, my mother stepped out of her earth suit and into Heaven.
How I remember that Sunday afternoon, 52 hours prior to her passing, when the Hospice nurse told me that death was "imminent."  I was the only one in her apartment, as my step dad was taking a nap down the hall.

Imminent  (in this context) was a foreign term to me so I asked the sweet nurse to explain.  She told me that my Mom was slipping away, her vital functions shutting down. It would just be days or even hours before she left.

Even now, after three years, it is impossible to type these words without tears flowing done my cheeks.
For me, April 1st will never be a day for goofy jokes again.  Oh, I used to love a funny prank, just ask Hubby about the coffee creamer that poured out of the container a lovely green color! 

But now, this is a day to honor my Mom's memory, to reach out to loved ones and reflect on the 75 years she spent on this earth.  I can no longer make a quick trip to the cemetery to leave a rose on her grave, but I can pause and give thanks for the treasure of family.   I'm so grateful for the love GOD enables us to experience in such frail vessels.

Here is the African Violet that Hubby purchased for me on the first anniversary of Mom's passing.  She always had African Violets in her window! 
It's doing rather well, don't you think?

Blessings to you and yours! 
                  Hug each other a little tighter tonight!

More Than A House Coat

At first glance, just a tired, dated house coat.
The colors faded from hundreds of washings, the style dating back to 1983.
How can I remember the age of an otherwise non-descript article of clothing?
Funny what the heart holds on to.

I purchased this house coat soon after my first child was born.
Pink, in honor of my baby daughter, and well constructed from a classy catalogue.
Now, I must admit that I haven't always fit into this piece of leisure ware but I've held on to it through the years...27 to be exact!

When it first arrived by mail (to our cabin in the woods on Bainbridge Island), it cheered my spirits...made me feel "pretty," and received numerous baby nuzzles with a fair amount of infant "spit-up."  Oh, those days of early motherhood!  For me they were intimidating and magical all together.  I was responsible for Katie's complete care and well being and I took my role so seriously.  Praise GOD, He was there to grant me wisdom and peace as I adjusted to her changing routines and learned patience and endurance through those early colicky months.

Another child followed twenty months later, and again this house coat served me well.  Yet as the children grew, it was relegated to the back of the guest room closet, only to be tried on when my weight dropped, granting me some diet encouragement.

Fast forward twenty two years and many moves.  GOD brought our family to Florida, and my mother ended up living only a few miles away from me.  At some point in 2004, she expressed the need for a house coat and my thoughts returned to the sweet little "coat" hanging in the lonely back closet.  She was delighted when I brought it out and wore it faithfully the last four years of her life!

It certainly made her feel "presentable" when we visited; and seemed to comfort her despite the pain caused by lung cancer.  It even seemed to cheer her during times of chemo recovery . 

Maybe, she treasured it because of its "history." 
From daughter to mother, blessing granddaughter too!

Thank you for sharing this walk down memory lane with me. 
Since I recently moved and downsized, I'm confronted with so many "tucked away" treasures that I really don't have room to store.  So, what should I do? 

Should I keep it intact for my daughter to deal with someday, or maybe cut out the bodice to make a pillow?
Hmmmm...if she ever has a daughter, it would be so fitting to pass it down...just thinking.

A Box of Blessing

When my mother died almost three years ago, I thought that my care giving ended and that I would never be able to do anything for her again.  Not so! 

Even though I helped pack up her "stuff" one last time and assisted my stepfather in his move out west, there was still an important task I needed to address, a job she left for me to do.

Yet, life's busyness distracted me soon after her memorial service in 2008, as my husband tore his Achilles tendon just as I was called back to direct a local non-profit ministry.
So, as I cleaned out the garage a few weeks ago (in the process of moving), I was surprised to see a box  marked in Mom's handwriting and designated for the American Cancer Society.

Not knowing exactly where that office is or their abbreviated hours, I decided to take the box to the radiologist that had treated my mother with such kindness during her last cancer battle.  Dr. Graham in Orange City will always hold a place of esteem in my heart and his staff was particularly attuned to Mom's many "ups and downs."

With no time to reminisce or grieve that Friday, for the movers were packing up the moving van and we were headed out of state, I grabbed the box and headed for Dr. Graham's office.  They were so pleased to see me and immediately mentioned my Mom and how they always enjoy the singing Santa she gave the office at Christmas time because "he" reminds them of her!

What a Blessing!
To know that she is remembered so kindly, even when her last days were filled with fear and pain that spilled over to those around her...still her thoughtfulness is remembered!

And the box...contained a couple of breast prosthesis's that she wanted to share, not waste, as she would no longer need them! 
What a reminder to me that some day, I too will leave behind my woundedness and worldly crutches to put on the immortal and live with my Savior forever!!!

How precious it was for me to go on this additional errand for her...and to think that maybe it wasn't the last!

Mementos

Memories, mementos, displaying the cherished things of a Loved one...dishes, pictures, furniture...all from my mother.  How she enjoyed these things that she had collected over the years!  Objects of art, objects of comfortable function, each one giving her delight...now adorn my new home, drawing her memory near.

She would approve and smile, maybe adjust their placement a tad, but she would be happy to see her "history" live on.

I'm so grateful to GOD for the sensitivity to appreciate not only her importance in my life, but her feelings as well.

How about you?
What things of your mother's tickle your fancy?  Do you own something that was once hers?
Please share your heart ~

The Blessing of Understanding

Wednesday last week was my Mother's birthday.  It still seems so odd not to be able to call her or send a present with a card.  She stepped into heaven 2 years and 10 months ago and left a big whole in my life.

Though she wouldn't want to be back here facing worldly challenges, her family misses her and is still learning to cope with the void she has left.

At present I am confronted with uncertainty on many fronts: unemployment, leaving my home and two cracked ribs; and so I've been thinking about how my Mom coped with years of pain and unhappiness.

Above all else, my Mom was a survivor!

She endured long lasting emotional and physical pain better than anyone I know.  And as I age, and deal with similar trials and testing, I appreciate more what she went through. 

Isn't that usually the case?

How quick we are to form judgements or strong opinions about another's responses to life's difficulties, when we have no idea the depth of their struggles or the toll their trials have taken on their souls! 

"LORD, help me to grow in compassion
for all I meet. 

May I never minimize a person's struggle,

especially when I have never experienced a similar trial. 

Please give me Your eyes
to see the heart of those who cross my path

and Your patience to minister grace and care."

A Winner!

Early this morning, Hubby drew from the names of contributors in my first Give-a-way.  Out of a pretty kitchen bowl, one name was selected...
I'm delighted to announce that he drew out Rebecca's name from Life & Godliness.
What fun!   She has fond memories of a special relative who used to play the accordion and we are excited to send her off one of my books with Hubby's accordion music.

To the other participants, thank you for sharing your thoughts about why motherhood matters.
Each of you shared uplifting, encouraging insights into the most important job of all...nurturing and educating the next generation!  Thank you for caring about motherhood and for loving your own children so much!

Maternal Blessings and Joy for the Journey!