Mom

I remember thinking when I was a little girl that all the other moms must be just like mine. That she must be doing just what moms do. I wouldn't find out until later that my mom is unlike a lot of moms...she's special. And for some reason God blessed me with this woman as a mother. She's the reason I wanted to be a mom.

Sure, there were times when the job didn't look so fun, but I remember thinking how wonderful it's going to be when I'm a mom and I'm just like her. To be able to cook such fabulous meals (from memory!), to be the woman everyone wanted to plan their baby or wedding shower, who always had a crafty idea, who knew how to tie the perfect bow, who was a social butterfly and was never mean or rude to anyone, who was very involved in my kids' elementary school - always up there to plan the holiday parties or to simply read a story, to keep such a clean house all of the time, and to flirt and giggle with my husband like it was the day we met.

I know not a lot of 27-year-olds say this about their mom, but I want to be like her. I'm not there yet - there are a lot of things about my mom that I admire but that I don't know if I'll ever be. But, I can try! Even though roaming the church building after services and talking to people I may not know as well is outside of my comfort zone, my mom does it and she's great at making people feel special and loved. I want to have that ability. And someday, Lord willing, I will be an elder's wife, just like my mom. I will have children who are faithful to God and a family who is very, very close and love each other very much. If that's not a tribute to what great parents I have, I don't know what is.

My mom is such a great grandmother that it makes me want to cry. She loves her grandbabies so much - and already loves beyond measure the babies who aren't quite here yet. My mom has never been meddlesome in our lives the way some mothers tend to be - she doesn't cling to us needily or try to make our decisions for us. She has always told us to respect our husbands and she doesn't get involved in our marriages, although she loves each of her sons-in-law very much...that is evident. She's still very much our mother but in that she refused to be our friend when we were growing up, she's very much a friend now. I would say she's my best friend. I can always call her for advice or just to talk, and I always want her around.

So, on this Mother's Day, Mom I hope you have a wonderful day. Even though we can't be there, know that we absolutely love you and will never stop loving you. You're such a blessing to us.

And I have to say that I have the sweetest mother-in-law. There are so many married women who have nothing but bad things to say about their mother-in-law and there is so much hate in many daughter-in-law/mother-in-law relationships. My mother-in-law is sweet, giving, kind, and I really can't imagine having anyone better. She and my father-in-law raised a son who is also sweet, giving, kind as well as a hard worker with a love for God...I'm forever grateful for that! So, Mama B, thank you for being so loving and caring of me right from the start. Being your daughter-in-law has been a pleasure and I'm looking forward to many, many more years of learning from you. And I can't wait to see you as a grandma!
Both of my moms on D & my wedding day!