Mothers' Day has rolled around again and it brings with it pause for reflection on the great women in my life. Of course there is my mom who taught me that family comes first always. She dedicated herself to her family, her mother, here sister and brothers, her husband, her children and her grandchildren. She stepped out of her comfort zone often to serve her children. Sewing was never her talent but when our elementary school PTA was holding a fashion show one year she went out and bought material to make three little dresses for us to wear so that we could participate. She was not a radical, but I remember the night she went to a school meeting to speak up for an issue that was important to her children's education. And I don't think she really cared that much for sports but she sure went to a lot of Little League and soccer games.
My mother-in-law was cut from that same cloth. I never heard her say a bad thing about anyone. She would have fed the world if they showed up on her doorstep. Anyone who came in her door immediately felt her warmth and usually were fed at her table. She welcomed me into her family and treated me like her own daughter. She taught me that being a mother-in-law didn't mean that you lost a child, but that you gained one.
I also celebrate my Aunt Jeanie on this day. She is amazing! She has always encouraged me and been so supportive. She also continues to inspire me to try new things because of her example.
My sisters also stand out as moms. Mother lions have nothing on either one and they have mothered my children along with their own.
Included on my list of great women are my four girls: Heather, Kelsey, Laura Mae and Melissa!
No list of amazing women in my life would be complete without my friends. I'd name you one by one but the list would be go on and on. You know who you are. We have laughed together so hard tears have come to our eyes. We have cried together over shared sorrows. We have sat up all night talking about babies and husbands and jobs and heartbreaks. We have had girls nights out where we've just let our hair down. We mother each other's children and love them like they were our own. We have each other's backs when it is needed. We have stood side by side as we gave service and we have served one another. I have learned something from each of you and my life is richer because of you.
I love the Jewish proverb that goes, "God could not be everywhere and therefore he made mothers." Happy Mothers' Day to all of you!
