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Tuesday, January 3, 2012

A Mother's Journey

{EAV:176d33a4c513f99d} Years ago, when my mother passed away, someone sent me this beautiful tribute to moms.  I don't know who wrote it so I can't give proper credit.  But it is a truly beautiful piece and I hope it touches your heart.   Read it at a slow pace...leisurely, digesting every word.  For those lucky enough to still be blessed with your mom, this is beautiful.  For those of us who aren't, this is even more beautiful.  For those who are moms, you'll love this.

Mother

My mom and dad
The young mother set her foot on the path of life. "Is this the long way?" she asked. And the guide said, "Yes, and the way is hard.  And you will be old before you reach the end of it.  But the end will be better than the beginning."

But the young mother was happy, and she would not believe that anything could be better than these years.  So she played with her children, and gathered flowers for them along the way, and bathed them in the clear streams; and the sun shone on them and the young Mother cried, "Nothing will ever be lovelier than this."
My husband and his mom
Then the night came, and the storm, and the path was dark, and the children shook with fear and cold, and the mother drew them close and covered them with her mantle, and the children said, "Mother, we are not afraid, for you are near, and no harm can come."
                    
And the morning came, and there was a hill ahead, and the children climbed and grew weary, and the mother was weary.  But at all times she said to the children," A little patience and we are there."  So the children climbed, and when they reached the top they said, "Mother, we would not have done it without you."
My dad's mom
My mom and her mom
And the mother, when she lay down at night looked up at the stars and said, "This is a better day than the last, for my children have learned fortitude in the face of hardness. Yesterday I gave them courage. Today, I've given them strength."

And the next day came strange clouds which darkened the earth, clouds of war and hate and evil, and the children groped and stumbled, and the mother said, "Look up. Lift your eyes to the light.  "And the children looked and saw above the clouds an everlasting glory, and it guided them beyond the darkness.  And that night the Mother said, "This is the best day of all, for I have shown my children God."

And the days went on, and the weeks and the months and the years, and the mother grew old and she was little and bent.  But her children were tall and strong, and walked with courage.  And when the way was rough, they lifted her, for she was as light as a feather; and at last they came to a hill, and beyond they could  see a shining road and golden gates flung wide.  And mother said, "I have reached the end of my journey. And now I know the end is better than the beginning, for my children can walk alone, and their children after them."

And the children said, "You will always walk with us, Mother, even when you have gone through the gates."  And they stood and watched her as she went on alone, and the gates closed after her.  And they said: "We cannot see her but she is with us still.  A Mother like ours is more than a memory.  She is a living essence."

Your Mother is always with you... She's the whisper of the leaves as you walk down the street; she's the smell of bleach in your freshly laundered socks; she's the cool hand on your brow when you're not well. Your Mother lives inside your laughter. And she's crystallized in every tear drop.  She's the place you came from, your first home; and she's the map you follow with every step you take. She's your first love and your first heartbreak, and nothing on earth can separate you.
Not time, not space... not even death!

Home is where your story begins.


Today I am linking up with Joan at Reflections of Grace.  I would love for you to visit there and see what others are saying about the Grace of God!

From His lap,

42 comments:

  1. Erin, what a beautiful tribute to moms. I often think of Joe White of Kanakuk Kamps who I heard speak once. He said, "As a mother the days are long but the years are short." When I am tempted to be frustrated or cranky with my kids, I try to remember this day is a long day in a short year.

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  2. Wow - I read through this and will come back tonite to read it again. I'm so lucky to still have my mother with me, even though we live far apart, we talk all the time.

    Thanks for sharing this Erin.

    ps: I love the daisy picture at the top. It's really compelling.

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  3. What wonderful words about Moms...As I read your post, I was convicted that as long as we are living and no matter how old our children are, we are still to point them to Jesus and we are always their "mom"......

    I was once told my an older lady when my children were small..."they may be on your toes now but later they will be on your heart"....I now know what she was saying.......

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  4. What a lovely tribute to moms... Hats off to all the moms you listed out there. They are awesome in their-own way!

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  5. Precious. Simply precious. Thank you for sharing this. :)

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  6. That is so, so precious and is making me cry. I love that you shared.
    Dianne

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  7. That's beautiful, Erin.

    Susan

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  8. Shannon,
    I love that quote. Thanks so much for sharing it!
    Blessings,
    ~Erin

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  9. Thank you for your kind words, Tracy. I'm so glad you enjoyed the post! Enjoy your mom too!
    Blessings,
    ~Erin

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  10. Nancy,
    You are so right. I carry my kids in my heart all day long everyday!!!
    Blessings,
    ~Erin

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  11. Nishana,
    Thanks so much for stopping by! I have great examples of women in my life!!! Maybe I won't turn out so bad! ;0)
    Blessings,
    ~Erin

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  12. You're welcome, Anne! I know you are on quite a journey as a mom and I honor you for all that you do!!! You are a blessing.
    ~Erin

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  13. Don't cry, Dianne! I love you! Can't wait until we get together again.
    ~Erin

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  14. Thank you, Susan!!! I hear you're an awesome mom. I have it from a great source. ;^D
    ~Erin

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  15. Thank you, Erin. This is wonderful!

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  16. *Sniff* That was so beautiful!I hope my kids feel that way about me..

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  17. Beautiful! Sooooo mom! <3 Missing her especially this week! :'(

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  18. Jedidja,
    I always love when you stop by. You always say such kind things!
    Blessings,
    ~Erin

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  19. Michelle,
    I'd be willing to bet your kids think that way about you!! Thank you for visiting!
    Blessings,
    ~Erin

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  20. Thank you, Brandee!!
    Blessings,
    ~Erin

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  21. Tawny,
    It's really hard this week. I'm going to make a cake on Mom's b'day! You should too!
    Love you,
    ~Erin

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  22. Beautiful story. Thank you for sharing.

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  23. Erin, I love this! It made my heart ache so much for my mom. It's been too long since I've seen her in person, but yes she is everywhere around me and within me.

    Thanks for sharing!
    ~Rosann

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  24. Margs, thanks so much for stopping by! I know with 2 little ones, you have lots of mommy stories! I wish you a great 2012 with them!
    Blessings,
    ~Erin

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  25. Rosann,
    Do you skype with your mom? This week would have been my mom's b'day. I'm going to bake a cake in her honor and celebrate who she was and still is to me in my heart!!
    Love you!
    ~Erin

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  26. Beautiful Post. I still have my mom I love her & admire how she mothered my siblings & I (and now our children, her grandchildren). I will forever remember this post. Thank you.

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  27. Cynthia, that's awesome that you have such a great mom! Take lots of pics and make lots of memories of her with your kids!!
    Blessings,
    ~Erin

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  28. Thank you Erin for sharing this beautiful tribute! Mom's are such a blessing from the Lord.

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  29. Becky,
    You are such an amazing mom. I am in awe of your skills!!!
    Blessings,
    ~Erin

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  30. Totally made me cry. Again. A bit different for me though as I think about the rotten parents I had and that I have never, nor will I ever have a solid relationship with my mother. However, I can be the kind of mom my kids will be proud of. Well, most of the time anyway.


    This was just lovely

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  31. Sharon,
    I hate it that you always cry when you read my blog. I'm sorry that you had rotten parents. I can see that you've made good come from that by being the awesome mom that you are! You are precious!
    Blessings,
    ~Erin

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  32. What a great way to remind me to enjoy every moment with my mom as she is growing older. Thank you!

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    1. Lindy,
      I would give anything...anything, to have one more day with my mom. She was my rock and my strength!
      Thanks for stopping by!
      ~Erin

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  33. So, reading this again a couple of months later, even though it still tears at my heart, makes me hope that I can be that mom for my kids.

    And usually I cry because your posts touch me in such a deep place, a place I usually avoid because I've suppressed so much, but I know it's good to visit that place sometimes and let the emotions come.

    Thank you my friend

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    1. Sharon,
      I KNOW you are a great mom to your kids. You know I feel bad when you say I make you cry. I really hope they're happy tears. Let them flow, girl. They are cleansing to the soul!
      Love you!
      ~Erin

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  34. Erin, I loved reading this again. It's so beautiful and still pulls at my heart. Like Sharon, I hope I can be that mom to my kids as well. At least that's what I strive for each day. :)

    Blessings friend,
    ~Rosann

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    1. Rosann, I'm glad the post blessed you. I can tell by your writings that you are a wonderful mama! Thanks for visiting!
      ~Erin

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  35. Replies
    1. Thank you so much for stopping by and for your kind words!
      Blessings,
      ~Erin

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  36. Lovely post. I know that not only will my mother always be with me, but all the women who came before to make me who I am.

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    1. I'm glad you had a great mom, Jennifer. They teach us so much that we don't realize until later.
      Blessings,
      ~Erin

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

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