The Gift of Courage: My mom

Her children rise up and call her blessed;

Her husband also, and he praises her.

Proverbs 31:28

I am privileged to know some pretty amazing moms.  I have some close friends that are in the middle of raising up their kids that inspire me daily.   These are gals I can share my parenting struggles with and know that they understand.  We are able to laugh at ourselves and share our frustrations.   I also know some seasoned moms that unknowingly mentor me -- their kids are grown and they have wonderful kernels of wisdom to share.  I love all these women, but the mom dearest to me is my own.

My mom and I are very different.  Our tastes and personalities are nothing alike on many levels.  Mom decorates in pastels and loves wallpaper.  I'm more of a bright and bold color person and couldn't hang a sheet of wallpaper if I had to.  Mom likes knick-knacks.  Me...not so much.  Mom follows recipes exactly when she is cooking.  She is also methodical and tidy when she cooks.  I am a disaster in the kitchen and in my mind recipes are a general guidelines that require constant modifications (usually because I have spaced something on my grocery list and have to substitute an ingredient).  Mom would never eat raw cookie dough, overstuff her washing machine, or rush through anything.  I do all of the above...all the time.  Mom is not a big fan of pets or livestock.  I would be sad not to have my dog, horses, and other farm animals.  No, Mom and I don't share the same tastes in many things, but we do have things we enjoy together.  Mom taught me to love books, an intense game of Scrabble, old movies, and a good cup of tea.  She loves flowers, a nice garden, and relaxed visits with those that she loves.   She instilled in me the joy of tradition, keeping holidays, and making others feel important.  In Mom's world everyone else comes first.  I try to remember that every single day.

My mom is a quiet, unobtrusive person.  She is small in stature and would never command the attention in a room.  One might be tempted to think she is simple and timid.  I know better.  I have watched my mom my entire life, and while she is humble in spirit, there is nothing timid about her.  If I had to sum up my mom in a word it would be this:  Courageous.  My mom's courage over the years has inspired me greatly.  Mom is all about making hard choices when the world would offer her every excuse to do the opposite.  

I have watched my mom and my dad stay married for almost 44 years.  Together they faced some major tragedies -- tragedies that would have ripped other marriages apart.  Mom has always stood by my dad.  There were times they were financially devastated.  Mom stayed and gracefully made do with what she had.  In a single year she watched her firstborn son pass away and then her father.   Her heart was surely broken, but she found the courage to embrace life and find joy again.  Her faith was never shaken.  She helped my dad start a successful business and run it efficiently.  She has always been my dad's helpmate.  I have watched my mom deal with her own health issues.   Diagnosed with a debilitating heart disease, Mom was courageous enough to fight back and regain her health despite the odds.  She was frightened, but she didn't complain.  In recent years I have watched her support her son through addiction and recovery.  She never gave up on him.  I watched as she helped her mother-in-law battle pancreatic cancer.  She was there with Grandma night and day, providing her with care and dignity.  When Marc was diagnosed a year ago, she was right there.  She has mopped up my tears, sat in the waiting rooms with me, helped countless days with the kids, provided meals for us, and encouraged us every step of the way.  I have spent cherished time listening to her encouraging words over gallons of tea. 

As I have watched my mom over the years, I have learned a lot.  She has been a consistent example of what it is to be a godly woman.  Through every trial, loss, and tribulation, my mom's faith has stood rock solid.  She is on her knees daily.  I know she prays for me, for my husband, and my kids throughout the day.   On any given day I can walk into the house and her well worn Bible will be sitting open at the dining room table as it has been since I was little.  She loves the Lord.  She has leaned on Him with all her might over all these years.  She has shown me through her trust in Him that He is faithful.  He has given her strength to love a daughter that she probably didn't always identify with.  Despite the fact we are so different, she has always supported me and celebrated me.  Her love has been a gift.   He also gave her the courage to laugh and find joy after her heart was broken.  I lean on the knowledge that God does heal the brokenhearted.  She has shown me that truth by living it out in her life.   He has given her tremendous wisdom through so many experiences.  In recent years I have learned that Mom really does know what she is talking about.  Go figure!  He has given her peace when it would be easier to worry.  He gave her trust and love in her marriage for all these years.  He gave her contentment and fulfillment as a mother in her home.  She is an amazing testament of God's faithfulness. 

I am blessed so much by my mom.  I am grateful for her love, her example, and her courage.  Someday... when I grow up... I hope I can be something like her.

Mom...with love and gratitude...