I stood in the card aisle wondering what on earth is wrong with me? None of the cards said the right thing! They must say the right thing for somebody…after all, they’re selling. I finally found a good one and bought it. Next day it dawned on me that it’s the same card I bought last year. Clearly, Hallmark only has one writer that does “us.” I’m going to save that card for a few years because neither one of us seem to remember things like we used to... It’ll seem like a whole new card then!
It's my mom's birthday. I really want to bless her. The best way I know to do that is to recount the best memories. The ones that I pull out of my mental treasure chest from time to time. I'll share some of those memories with you too and maybe it'll encourage you on your parenting journey...
It's my mom's birthday. I really want to bless her. The best way I know to do that is to recount the best memories. The ones that I pull out of my mental treasure chest from time to time. I'll share some of those memories with you too and maybe it'll encourage you on your parenting journey...
First best memory: Watching mom get ready to go on a date with Dad. A little clutch purse I didn’t remember seeing before with makeup inside! She didn’t wear makeup every day. I remember standing with wide-eyed wonder, watching as she applied blue eye shadow and Coty lipstick. It was so wonderful! Mom was so excited and happy. She taught me that day that going on a date with your husband is sort of sacred, worthy of time and effort. Mom taught me that making yourself lovely is a gift to him and yourself.
A vivid, very precious memory is of one day after Kevin [my adoptive brother who has FAS] woke up from his nap. He just wanted to lie on the floor with his face on Mom's rabbit-skin-slipper-clad feet. We sat there quietly watching this sleepy little broken boy absorb comfort. She taught me something about mother love that day that I could not describe in words, but that filled my heart right to the top.
And what’s a mother-daughter relationship without playing dressup with mom’s shoes and clothes…? Dads are great for tickling and motorcycle rides, but they’re no use at all when it comes to developing a sense of style!
Which leads me to the memory of the day Mom took me to Halifax all by myself. No siblings. She let me ride the escalator up and down and then again. We bought a little sweater with a girl blowing bubbles embroidered on the front. I felt so special that day. Every time I remember that day I remember the importance of slowing down and doing life at kid speed.
Mom taught me to love and appreciate nature. So many memories of hiking and skiing and hunting mayflowers. She showed me that a walk in the woods can be an act of worship.
The most important thing Mom taught me was, without question, to always, always turn to God. Life can be rough. Stuff happens. It can come from all directions. Always turn to God. Always.
As I write a new chapter on the hearts of another generation, I realize that we moms can’t ever, won’t ever, get it all right. What does matter is the love we’re writing on our children’s hearts.
Even though the number is taking some getting used to, today I shout out the joy, “My mom is 70!” Here with us. Still writing her story on our hearts.
Her children stand and bless her...
Proverbs 31:28a
