Celebrate Mom!

I know it is a bit on the late side, but I will not let the Mother’s Day celebration pass me by another year without voicing my heart.

Mother: The woman who carried her child in the womb, nurtured and gave life at birth.

Mom: The woman who cares for her children (or those who biologically belong to another), raises them, loves them, teaches them about life, love, trust, strength, and gives everything she has for them.

My mother is both to me.

* My Mom *

December 5, 1983 my mom underwent a cesarean operation to give birth to me. Bitty Becca was born at 8lb 10 oz, and heaven knows how long I was. Ha, ha! I was bald, BALD! *sigh* Lord knows how many people asked my parents the question of the year. “What’s His Name?”

As I grew up I became one of the most picky children that ever graced this planet with their presence! If my shoes were not BOTH buckled (yes I said buckled) on the third hole, every time, I’d sit on my floor and pout until they were, or until new shoes were produced to be worn. If those new shoes were laced, you better bet those bow loops and ends better match up too! Socks had to be even on both legs. I remember folding and re-folding my socks so many time I started rolling them instead so they’d both hit my ankle bone and I’d be satisfied. Bread with a crack in it? Sandwiches with pieces of bread were not facing each other and matching on both sides? Broken cheese? Hot dog buns that broke when closing over the hot dog? Food touching? None of these things were tolerated by yours truly! And these were just the early years…and let us remember that I was not the only child in this family either.

I have an older brother, and two younger sisters. My  brother is two years older than me, and my sisters are ten years younger and thirteen years younger than myself. My mother home-schooled all four of us, three of us for our entire education, and my brother for most of his, beginning in Second Grade. In fact, she is still finishing up high school with my youngest sister this year. She was also the support group leader and President in our area for many years. As long as I can remember she was heavily involved with things to educate and entertain her children. My mom’s family has been the center of her world always, right alongside her God.

Years and years of sharing my mother with the world, it seemed, I remember that she STILL had time for her children and husband. Why? Because my mom’s family came first. Besides Home-school groups and their drama, she was involved with Homemakers and Ladies groups in church as well. With her plate full constantly, my mother never wavered (from my outside perspective) from her faith, her graceful attitude, or her kindness.

My mom has always been there for me. From the scrape on my knee when I was a little girl running on the sidewalk, to the cuts and bruises my adult heart has endured. I was told by a couple of different people in recent times that  in the last 5 years of my life I used my mom, and that I became dependent on her to do things for me. This may be partly true. I used her…she was the pillar I was able to lean on during difficult times and emotional crisis. She was strength that was unseen by many to me. My mom is one of the three main reasons I overcame recent difficulties in life, my husband and children being the other two. Those many days and nights I spent with my family were times when I was gleaning strength and peace during some of the hardest times in my life.

Family Picture February 2013: LtoR My brother Jacob, my sister Leah, Dad, Me, Titus, Mom, Angel, Levi, my sister Joanna, and my husband Sean holding my baby Micah.

In recent years I have been living over 2,000 miles from my mother, and since moving out here with my husband I have seen her all of four times. I have enjoyed the best of times visiting with my parents and sisters (oh yeah, and my brother…hehe)…not as often as we all would like, but blessed with the chance to do so just the same.

Even so, I talk to my mother on the phone nearly every day. We talk now and then on Skype, so we can all see each other and they can enjoy the goofiness of my children that they miss so much. For as long as I can remember my mom has been there for me, and knowing my mom she will be there always. If words could describe the things she did for me before I moved, how she has always been there for me, supported me, prayed for me, loved me, and put up with me and my kids (hehe), I would put them here. But truthfully there are none. I could say my mom is amazing, in astronomical proportions, but would that cover it? No, not really.

A mother’s love cannot be measured. Whether she has given birth physically to children, or she loves, raises, and cares for children birthed by another, she is a mom. Proverbs 31 speaks of a woman whose worth is far above that of priceless jewels, Rubies. She works hard, she educates her children, trains them, cares for them, as well as the servants of the household. She is up early, and oftentimes retires late. She is trustworthy, which in itself it priceless these days. A woman of great worth, this chapter of Proverbs described. A woman whose value is priceless to those who know her…yes, my mom.

 

The best examples a young Mom could follow, My Mom, Grandma, and Great Grandma. Great Grandma is no longer with us as of the beginning of 2012, but the legacy she has left carries on.