Mothers

With Mother's Day upon us, and I a soon to be a Mom, I can't help but reflect on my own mother and those who have mothered me. In that second category, there are lots of women, who, along the way, stepped in where I need mentoring, help or protection and nurtured me towards becoming the woman I am today. I think of Bonnie, Marta, Karla, and Lois who all served as friends, mentors and protectors. Thank you, ladies, and may God repay your kindness and investments many times over.

My own mother was an amazing woman. She loved God and loved people and communicated that very effectively. I never doubted her love for me, though perhaps that is because we shared a common love language (quality time). She served her family faithfully and keep the house running in a way that I've struggled to learn over these past 5 years of marriage. Unfortunately, she passed away 2 weeks after we got married, and I hadn't bothered to learn those home keeping skills (and family keeping) until then. But Dad has been wonderful about telling me about her and what she did, at least as much as he can remember. And his lovely wife (he remarried after Mom died) is so wonderfully accommodating about letting him and me talk about Mom, and who she was and what she did.

As a married woman, I've acquired a mother-in-law, which has been a fun endeavor. She is beautifully accepting of me, and encourages me in so many ways. She is generous with both Hubby and I and her love for us and for baby is clearly evident.

I have been blessed with so many excellent women friends and mentors, a Mom who strove for such excellence in her and those around her, and a MIL who strives to love us in very clear and evident ways.  I only hope that I can be the kind of woman who emulates these qualities.

Me, Dad and Mom at my wedding. Isn't she a beautiful woman? Her heart and spirit were even more beautiful!