Other Mothers

I wanted to give a “shout-out” today to some more inspiring moms. How blessed I am to have observed these women & their children...



Lori – you are the newest mom among us. This is a culmination of years of dreaming, planning & working toward the goal of adoption. God bless you today as you celebrate your motherhood with your children.


Julia – you raised your kids, you helped raise some grandkids, and now you are doing a bit of raising the great-granddaughters. The Lord is using you to shine out the love of Jesus from your life. What a blessing you are!


Trish – I am in awe of how amazing your boys are. Your oldest lights the room with his smile. He is a joy to care for. His younger brothers show depth of character in their sports & drama endeavors. And I love that you can still dress them in coordinating outfits!


Cathy – you are the epitome of a foster mom. It is beyond my scope of understanding how you can take in a child (or three!) on short notice, love & raise him (them) as if your own, then relinquish back to the court or birth family on equally short notice. Nevertheless, the world needs more like you – giving freely of a no-holds-barred love while it is needed. God bless you!


J.B. – Wow! You have survived sending your child off to college, which left you alone with a man and his addictions. It has been amazing to watch you complete your CR course by the grace of God and emerge empowered.


Tracee – I am humbled by the strength & grace with which you have handled this stormy start of motherhood. Our Father has chosen a path for your family that many stumble upon; but I know you & your husband & sweet, sweet boy will take each step as it comes & conquer this mountain!


And Mary – although I never met your son, I’ve learned what a terrific mom you must’ve been to raise such a fine young policeman. Your once joyful Mother’s Days are now forever marred by his absence. I pray that as the anniversary of his passing nears, God again will give you grace to endure.


Finally, to all my friends who are military wives: Thank you for the service you do our country all the thankless days – weeks – months – years you raise your children while Daddy’s deployed. God bless you for the sacrifices you make while nurturing our next generation of heroes!

Sometimes I really miss Grandma...

Grandma & my mom in Kentucky

My Grandma Hull has been gone for over a dozen years, now. She influenced me in so many ways!

My uncle was my wedding photographer, & he could make her laugh like no other!

Her greatest joy was to share the love of Jesus with boys & girls. Countless children were reached through Grandma's neighborhood Bible Clubs.

Grandpa & Grandma, my mom, Uncle Cary, Aunt Ruth & Aunt Margaret

For many years my grandparents owned & operated Karavan Kamp which took city kids for a wonderful week camping up north. Grandma & my mom would cook huge nourishing meals, including her homemade rolls.

My grandpa's driveway was the scene of many a vehicle repair. It didn't matter who was "mechanic-ing," Grandma always served lunch (and often dinner) to whoever was there.  I know some men would time their arrival just so they could eat her good cooking!

Grandma often sewed dresses for us. These turquoise outfits were for Easter, I believe. One time she made matching red & white Christmas outfits for our cousins as well as the three of us. (There's a large family picture with that, somewhere...) 

For five years while my parents and sisters lived out-of-state, Grandpa & Grandma (who lived about a mile away) made sure I survived. I was expected for Sunday dinner. I was rescued when my car broke down. I was cared for after dental surgery. I was slipped some cash when tuition bills were greatest. Such a blessing!

napping with "White Grandma"

Zachy

Grandma went to Heaven when our middle son was three months old. She was weak and tired from her illnesses, but she would hold him for hours. As she lay in her last hospital room I brought in his portrait to keep her company. I regret that he and our youngest did not have the privilege & benefit of knowing her.

Xander, 3 months

Lessons learned from a mother-in-law

I guess a succinct summation would be unconditional love.

She calls me her miracle love-child, for I was born about two months after she & my father-in-law wed.

Funny, but that's the way she loves me -- not simply because I'm her son's wife or her grandsons' mother -- just 'cause I'm me, her other daughter!

She raised my love for 18 years, and now I've had him for almost 19.

My momma was frugal before frugal was cool!

Being resourceful & "green" is her way of life and not simply a fad or something to fill-up some blog space.

She was born in the hills of Kentucky to parents who ministered to coal mining communities.  Being thrifty was the only way to survive there in the late 1930s. When she was a freshman in high school the family moved to Phoenix for my grandma's health.

She met my dad in college.

They married & moved to a tiny town in Arkansas where my father pastored a small church while finishing his degree in Siloam Springs. Three of us were born in the little "hospital" there.

When I was two, our family relocated to Phoenix where my dad became an Christian school administrator and my mom began her teaching career that spanned at least three decades and five or so schools.

As a teacher, as a wife, as a parent I look back at what she accomplished, and am in awe of the hundreds of lives she impacted. During all of this time she suffered with severe back pain & a couple resultant surgeries.

Our lives followed a seasonal pattern: September to May was for school. June was for the summer camp my grandparents operated. July was for driving to Oklahoma and spending time on my dad's parent's farm. August was for getting ready for school...

With my parent's limited educator's incomes they managed to raise four children who graduated with college degrees. Somehow they provided for private musical instruction for piano & band instruments.

From my mother I learned how to sew, how to cook, how to love & how to parent.

Zach

Alec



Harrison



I'm planning on linking-up all four of my Mother's Day posts with Paisley Jade.