Mother’s Day….

It is hard to believe that 52 years of age, I am still a child.  Your child.  I am living proof that we never do grow up, at least, not in the eyes of our parents.  I didn’t understand some of the things you said and did until I became a parent of my own.  You gave me great advice!  Even when I didn’t take your advice and realized later how valuable it was, you never said “I told you so” (I would have) but you just let it go with a comment of “do whatever makes you happy.”  “All I want is for you to be happy “.  

The older I get the more I realize the truth of that wish.  Happiness is truly all we want for our children.  As a child, all we really need to be happy is for our parents to love us.  In a perfect world, there is happiness and love all around or is that just in Heaven?  I wish all children felt the love I did as a child.

Mom, you always gave us your best.  I am sure there were times when all you wanted to do was say “leave me alone, I am exhausted”but you didn’t. You always had that ability to jump up and do whatever was asked of you.   There were always clean clothes, delicious meals and a well planned itinerary.  I can remember spending hours in the car as you drove us to our various activities.  It seems we were always in need of a band instrument, a pair of dance tights, baseball glove or something that required a trip to town which was an hour away.  You just smiled and drove us to wherever we needed to go.  

We were the lucky kids, the one whose mom was the president of the PTA so she could be informed about what went on at school.  The brownie scout leader, because if you had not been, there wouldn’t have been a brownie troop.  Our clothes were ironed and we had shoes that fit and clean sheets to sleep on.  Our house ran like a well oil machine because of you.  There was never a feeling lacking. 

Your love didn’t stop with us.  You shared with the church, taking care of your elderly parents and the neighbors.  To this day, I am amazed at how you can still cook for 100 people at the drop of a hat. How  you decorate the church fellowship hall for a fundraiser yet, have time to drive with daddy to his doctor appointment, hours away, all in the same day.   

When my babies were born, you were there to celebrate with me.  When my oldest died, you were there to hold me up and give me strength.  You taught me to love God and my fellowman.  

For all these things, I thank you, I love you and I praise you this Mother’s Day 2011.  I won’t be able to be with you physically but I will certainly spend the day reflecting and cherishing memories of times we have spent together.  I look forward to the many more memories we have yet to make.

I love you Mom and I always will, til death do us part….and then, I will look forward to joining you in eternity….I will know how to find you……You will be the one cooking for the banquet!

 

I love you, Lisa