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Friday, May 6, 2011

Mother's Day in My Heart

My Mom
My Abbie
I've been thinking a lot about Mother's Day this year.  Three of my six kids live half way across the country. The fourth one, my stepdaughter, will be spending the day with her mom.  The fifth is here and will come to see me after he visits with his girlfriend's mom, and the last one, still at home, is at that age where I'm the most uncool person he knows.  My own mother has been gone for some time now and my mother in law has very specific ideas on how the day should be spent.  So...I think I'll just have a glass of wine, sit on the deck in the sun and read a good book.


Me and Stephen

Each child will call to say that they love me and I will be quite content with that.  I'll get cards and flowers and sweet gifts that will make me smile.  My mother in law, husband and 2 of my sons and I will go somewhere to eat.  It's nice to be celebrated and thanked, but I'm not really sure that it's the most important appreciation I get for being a mom.


Me and Brian

I feel so much more gratification when I see one of mine being kind to an outcast.  I feel accomplished as a mother when one of them collects money and items for orphans.  I swell with pride when one of them calls me for no reason, on no special occasion and says "I really love you, Mom." 

Morgan, my baby

I think of all the times that I enforced some moral issue that they thought was "stupid" and now I see that same ethic engraved on and settled in their hearts and it has become a part of them.  For instance, one of the things that I tried to instill in my children is that you don't get to pick and choose the rules and laws that you like and only follow those; and that you can't just break the rules that you don't agree with and expect there to be no repercussions.  You can challenge rules and try to change them.  You can even negotiate,  but you can't just break them without suffering the consequences.  Boy, did I get fought with many times over that one. 


Natali and my husband

I also smile about the millions (I'm not exaggerating, folks) of times that my husband and my kids have had a good chuckle over something I said or did.  They might just sit there and laugh even more when I got upset that they were amused at my expense.  I'm so glad that I was able to be such great entertainment so many times for so many people!

Chelsi and granddaughter, Jaydee
My sweetest times as a mom are the unexpected unasked for times when I get a hug or a kiss or a phone call with a familiar voice on the other end of the line with loving words.  This is what moms live for.  This is what makes us feel proud.  So, no matter what I do on Mother's Day, no matter where we go or what we eat, I will ponder the lives of each of my children and swell with pride and love and gratitude.

Happy Mother's Day to all of you moms!  I hope you have a day of great joy and peace and feel surrounded by love, whether your children are present or far away.  You have done a great thing by being a mother.  You have added to the world in ways that you may never know.  Take some time out on Sunday to reflect on all the memories, good and bad.  It's a journey that every mom takes.  Just know that God honors you for being willing to take that journey!

From His Lap,



P.S.  OK, so here is the update to Mother's Day.  It started off with tears and thoughts of my mom.  But our pastor gave a very moving sermon about mothers that put a smile in my heart and on my face!  After church we went to Stone Bluff Cellars and had a picnic lunch.  We spent the day with family, sipping wine, laughing and just sharing our love for each other.  The only thing that could have made it more perfect would have been if all of my kids could have been there...and my mother, of course!  I'd like to share a couple of photos to show you what a truly wonderful day it was!  I will treasure it in my heart forever!


Meme with 2 grandchildren

My son, Stephen

Mother in law and hubby

My baby! He loves me!


Kids playing Rock, Paper, Scissors

My sister and her hubby

Rodney and me

Showing Meme the vineyard!

My nephew and his girl friend



My son and nephew

Stone Bluff Winery





Vineyard cat

9 comments:

  1. Aw, what a nice tribute to your family.
    Happy Mother's Day, Erin. You've done, and are doing, a great job!
    Susan

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  2. Good stuff as usual. Hope you have a great weekend with your family...JH

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  3. That was wonderful!!! I always enjoy your blogs. I can actually hear you in them, which always makes me smile. Love you, fellow mom!
    Jenn

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  4. I love your blogs!! Keep the faith. Keep writing!

    Dianne

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  5. So sweet and touching! I had read this but I'm glad you pointed me back to see the photos! So glad you had a great day! Blessings to you, sweetie!

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  6. What lovely pictures of your family. You are truly blessed to have such a wonderful family around you. Your daughter looks like you! Lovely piece of writing and how true that about the pride when your children are kind, respectful and generous. Nina

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  7. Thank you, Nina! I am truly blessed. My family is wonderful. Thank you so much for stopping by to visit!
    Blessings,
    ~Erin

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  8. I lost my father , mother and sister all within a year and a half . it was a very painful time. I believe in my heart that one day I will see them again.

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  9. Oh Anna, I can't even imagine the pain that you carry from that. It must seem unbearable at times. I pray for God's peace to be all around you. You will see them again one day and it will be a glorious reunion!! Thanks for having the courage to share that here.
    Bless you! If you ever need an ear, just send me a note!!!
    ~Erin

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Thank you for giving us a little nugget of truth from your heart!

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