Yesterday she made peanut butter cookies...my favorites!
The day before that she ironed my shirt....and raked leaves in our yard
The day before that she made dinner for my family while I worked my second job.....
The day before that she played with the grandk and put her to bed while my daughter was at work even though I had said I would.... she knew i was tired.
My mom is an amazing woman...she always has been...
At a very young age she sought out the Lord and His House though she did not come from a religious family...she went to church with neighbors and friends, trying various denominations when even her siblings declined to accompany her...she has always had His mark upon her.
She went it alone as an ill equipped single mother when I was 10, raising 3 daughters on a pittance and by the grace of God. Somehow we all got raised, hardly ever being aware of how hard she worked or struggled to make that happen, but always knowing how much she depended on her Lord. We, her children, grew to share that dependence.
As a mature woman of God she found that she could no longer stomach church the way it had "always been done" and left the church of my youth to seek a deeper more real walk with her Lord.
As an adult woman nearing retirement age she uprooted herself, left her secure job of 25+ yrs, all her friends and family and the only life she had ever known to move from Alabama to Pennsylvania to be a support to her daughters and grand kids, undertaking a move that encompassed far more than mere mileage...
it was financially dangerous
culturally shocking
socially isolating from family and friends...
A courageous act that none of her peer family members could understand nor would they ever consider to attempt.
At the age of 70 she fulfilled a lifelong dream and traveled by plane (a biggie:)) to Ireland.
In my lifetime, she has always been a woman exhibiting strong faith and a quiet yet steady spirit though I realize now that these qualities were hard won and paid for with a high price. She is always prepared to speak a word in season...always ready to lend a helping hand or offer a gift of kindness....her many talents are put to work regularly to bless others.
She has stepped out in faith again and again in every aspect of her life...proving to me and to anyone with eyes to see that she is a true pioneer, brave beyond words...seeking out her Lord, following His lead no matter the cost and being an amazing blessing to all who are fortunate to know her.
I am incredibly blessed to have her as my mom and to have her in my home.
I love you Momma!
23 comments:
While I can't identify with a loving mother and I will always wish I could, I can identify with a good, strong woman.
Women have lost a lot of what makes them women as they left to find themselves. Strong, rooted, loving - What I didn't have, I think I became. Thank you for that reminder. Enjoy Her throughly and often. Some of us would steal her from you, if we thought we could get away with it - I am not KIDDING but I am so happy for you, my friend.
she sounds like an amazing woman and I know you are so proud to call her Momma!!
(((hugs)))
I think I have a new hero! I love your mom too.
You are very blessed indeed, you have a wonderful role model and you are passing that on to your children and grandchildren and someday great-grandchildren :)
hi, i've seen your name many times on other people's blogs, but i think this is the first time i've been to your blogsite. what a beautiful tribute to your mother.
wow - i cannot imagine - what an amazing gift!!! may i be the same to my daughters!
We are all blessed to have her in our lives. But, you, and your sisters, are a great testament to her. Even if you didn't go through the same struggles, you had your own challenges and made your own sacrifices and have been, and continue to be wonderful moms to your own children. You all do her proud in your own lives and child-rearing. I love you all for it, and am exponentially blessed to have you incredible women as my grandmother, mother, and aunts.
What a tribute and blessing to a wonderful "momma". Thanks for sharing. It made me cry -really(My Mom passed away over 3 years ago and I really miss her, but look forward to seeing her once again).
Thanks for sharing and treasuring your Mom!
You know the song, "I Wanna Leave a Legacy?" It goes somthing like, "How will people remember me? Will I leave a mark on things enough to let them know...I wanna leave a legacy." I want to leave a legacy like your mom! One that trusted and followed God wherever He led and Where ever He said to go.
What a beautiful tribute. Thanks for sharing her with us! She is a testimony to what God can do with one life, one willing soul...one who will obey no matter what.
Just about in the middle is where the tears started.....it would seem trite to say that you are blessed...that makes it sound like it just happened like magic...it didn't....and the way you expressed that was incredible. although like everydayrandom, I can't identify with a 'loving' mother, my mom was and is a strong woman..and although she didn't know how to love in the way that I define love....she did what she could with what she had and what she understood. Thanks for helping me to remember that...all mothers deserve respect...it is a tough job ;)
Beautiful tribue to a much deserving mom - sounds like she did a great job raising her girls too. You are so very blessed, I'm glad to see that you all realize what a treasure you have. Would she like one more daughter? I wouldn't be any trouble.:)
What a beautiful tribute to your momma!! So sweet!
What a mom! And what a daugher, too!
Wow, what an amazing woman your mom is. Boy, there are so many things she's done and experienced in her lifetime. I admire single mothers so much. What an inspiration and what a beautiful tribute. Thank you so much for sharing this Cheryl!
she's wonderful!
Your mother sounds like such a awesome person. We're so blessed when we have moms like ours. I know there are people out here who don't. What a nice tribute to her. I hope she reads your blog. :-)
I remember your Mom well !! I had several really nice conversations with her, she has a very gentle spirit.
Deborah
I love that lovely Thelma too, and you can tell her so! I learnt soooo much more about her reading your blog. Thanks for filling me in. WHAT A WOMAN!
Loved this. What a great mom you have!!
now that is beautiful! Kudos to your mom for raising you in God's grace!!!!
Awwwwww! That was very sweet Cheryl. You are lucky to have a mom that lives for her family like she does. Sorry I haven't been around. I'll be intermittent at best. Still busy...
What a wonderful post and the love of a mother is greater in her loving care to be near you.
Thank you so much for sharing such a beautiful story.
Your mama is beautiful inside and out. A lovely tribute. Bless you both!
Post a Comment