Day 129 Mother's Day

 

5/10/2026

 "The most precious jewels you'll ever have

around your neck are the arms of your children."

Unknown

 

Mother's Day is a bittersweet holiday for me. My mother and grandmother meant the world to me, and they taught me many wonderful and helpful skills that helped me take care of a home, a young family, and how to earn a living from these skills. They also introduced me to Jesus and encouraged my participation in church and community, and that is the most precious memory of all, but they had a lot of help, as I was shepherded by many special people as a child who knew my parents and grandparents, so they were very pivotal in my spiritual upbringing.

I remember spending all my free time on weekends and whenever I had a day off from school at my grandparents' home. I also loved to visit another dear older lady who was bedridden who lived up the road from my grandparents. Back then it was safe to cross a country highway and run up a dirt road. Besides her daughter and son-in-law owned the little store, so I'd visit Tom and Mary for a free cookie. Many special memories there also, but that's for another day.

As a young child I wanted to change the world, and I was interested in everything,! I was a voracious reader who greedily spent my time reading and dreaming. Mama thought many of my ideas were silly, but when I was nearing graduation, I had more real ambitions, although my mother seemed to discourage me from doing what I felt I was being called to do. I think that was to protect me, because I experienced some health issues early in life, and although it never kept me from going to school when I was young or helping in the house, in the yard, or in the garden, or graduating from college as a young adult, she tried to protect me in her way. My sister is six years younger than I am, and she was allowed to get away with just about any chore, so as the older child I was required to help my mother around the house. That was a blessing really, because I learned how to work and how to take care of a home. I agreed with my daddy when he told me she could do anything, because she was very talented when it came to cooking, sewing, upholstering furniture, crafting, and gardening. She could make something from nothing, and I acquired many of those skills that have come in very handy in earning a living and caring for a home. I regret that she died before knowing the person I have become through the experiences I have had and the things I've accomplished unexpectedly because of the path God led me to take. 

When I was growing up I wanted a life of adventure and was drawn by the desire to help others. My greater dream was to study medicine and become a missionary or go into the Peace Corp. Of course mama didn't think that was a good idea, and that I'd never make it because of my frail health. Since I was obedient, I gave up on the idea, but I never lost the dream. Since I was also drawn to creative art, she did encourage me to go to art school, but that didn't work out either, because the cost was too great at the time. I compromised by going to nursing school after receiving a scholarship, but the chemicals made my migraines worse, so I had to drop out. But rather than give up my dream of medicine and going to the mission field, I took college courses, as I raised three small children, still extremely ill, yet never giving up hope. I almost accomplished that hope, but ...! Another story for a later time. 

My sister had two children then, so we got together regularly, and our children grew up knowing each other. After moving to New Mexico my life took many different turns, but I'm so grateful for the journey, but it would be great to have been able to share it with my mother. Let her know I made it alone with God's help and the gift of art and creativity of which she had much to do with helped me when i couldn't find a job. Somehow though I feel as if she never really knew who I was and the call of God I had on my life, that my dreams were not just the crazy ramblings of a child, but they were God inspired. I think that may be more common for my generation, though, because women were expected to fit within a certain predetermined mold. I think she did realize I was very different, and in her way, she allowed me that right. I'd like for her to know that I'm still living an active life, and that I'm finally back in Virginia, living in the family home along with my younger son, who needs support emotionally. There seem to have been a lot of divorces in my generation as well. I'd love to see that curse broken, especially in my family line. It seems to be a universal downfall, predominately because of selfishness and pride. Even if children are adults, it still affects them greatly.

I think the greatest inspiration I have on Mother's Day is seeing a young couple with a family, and their dad taking them to church as the spiritual head of the family. I also admire a young single mother raising her children alone with the support of her church family and her own, if that's possible. Mother's have a very difficult and fragile job balancing a home, a family, and most times a job. I agree with King Solomon's appraisal of A Virtuous Woman in Proverbs 31 that "her worth is far above rubies." Thankfully, when we fail God with divorce we can still rise above any shame or feelings of unworthiness, not being good enough, because when Jesus is our Savior and Lord, we are redeemed, and we are renewed, we are reborn, and we can live again unscathed, forgiven, and pure in His sight. And our children can grow from the experience as well, or so I pray they will. Happy Mother's Day!