Today Lynn is hosting Thankful Thursday and she asked us to talk about our Moms or being a Mom. So … here we go.
My Mom (known as Mama to me) did the best she could. By the time I came along, she had already raised my brother and sister (who are 11 and 9 years older than me). She was not thrilled with the idea of starting over.
My Mom worked hard to put food on the table and provide for our family. She made more than my Dad and was the main bread-winner. I remember her working nights when I was young which put a lot of my “raisin’ — country saying” in my sister’s lap. I
even thought my sister WAS my mommy when I was little (poor Kathy). Since Kathy was the little Mom of the house, she was taught how to cook. I just started winging it when I got married (sorry hubby).
As I grew, my Mom and I had a love/dislike relationship. She raised us nicer than she was raised, but her hurts poured down to us (she had a painful childhood and suffered a lot of emotional abuse from her Mom). I rebelled against her from the time I had sense enough to form my own opinions (poor Mama).
After I married, Mama and I enjoyed shopping together every Saturday. Our relationship became fun and we hit the malls and super stores to purchase trinkets for our homes. We had many years of happy times before her stroke in 2001. Since her stroke, a lot of her actions from my childhood have resurfaced. It brought back a lot of bad memories for me and my sister — not too sure about my brother. Of course, God used this in my life to bring about a greater level of healing (thank You Lord).
Though I lost a lot of my Mom back in 2001, I am still grateful that I can hear a resemblance of her voice each day. I am sad about the way she is having to spend her winter years – physically, emotionally, and spiritually, BUT I am thankful to still have her. I do love my Mama and I pray that she will know true freedom in this life.
On a different note, there are no words to describe the joy I have as a Mommy. All I’ve ever wanted to do in my life is marry prince charming (check), be a Mommy (check), sing, (sort of check), and write (this is writing, right?). I didn’t think the Mommy part would ever happen, but THANK GOD — He made a way.
There is nothing like the voice, hugs, breath, and scent of your child. I am forever grateful to the birthmom who chose LIFE and didn’t chose abortion. I am grateful that God planted
our precious daughter right into our arms! I’ve lost some pounds since this picture, but this is the MOMENT we met our daughter!
I pray I will be a good, kind, and supportive Mom all the days of my life. Mom’s can build up and they can tear down. I want to be a builder and encourager … the one cheering my little one to fulfill the plans God has for her.
For more TT posts, please visit Lynn HERE.
And BTW … HAPPY MOTHER’S DAY TO ALL OF THE MOMS OUT THERE.
I have to say you really touched my heart, alot you said I experienced my mama as well.
This was a wonderful TT, great share.
Have a Blessed and Joyfilled Day 🙂
Happy Mothers Day
Beautiful message Beth! Happy Mother’s Day to you too!
Come on over to Sharing Life with Lisa. I have something for you.
I love you.
What a beautiful tribute to your Mom and your story is simply a beautiful one. What love and devotion motherhood has brought you. Happy Mothers Day Beth!
Happy Mother’s Day to you Beth! I pray that your mama will know true freedom in this life too. My dad had a stroke in 1988 and has changed a good bit from what he was like before his stroke. I too, am thankful that I still have him here on earth.
So glad that being a mother is bringing you so much joy.
What a wonderful way to honor your mother! Have a blessed Mother’s Day, friend!
Beth,
I am the oldest of 4 children on my Mom’s side and the oldest of 3 on my Dad’s side. My Mom, too, did the best she could but many of the responsibilities of mothering fell to my shoulders as she experienced divorce after divorce and ran after the love she so passionately wanted from a man .. and needed so much from Jesus.
To this day….I am the ‘maternal’ voice each of my siblings seek to a degree….I have tried to pull away from that role and give it back to my Mom and give her the honor she deserves…knowing she did the best she could. She is now walking with the Lord. Praise Him!
Beautiful post that stirred up my heart once again, dear sister.
Love you.
Your mother is very similar to my grandmother so I can relate to your story as could my mom. Thank you for sharing. Being a mother is the absolute best and greatest job in the world. I am so glad you have your little princess and I know you are a wonderful mother! What a lucky little girl in so many ways!
I SO THOUGHT I was already following you Beth! What was I thinking? Well, now I am 🙂 Have a blessed Mothers Day with your mom and precious little one!
Your tears of joy are so moving, you are a wonderful mother….your daughter is very lucky.
I would love to participate in a vlog, however, I do not have a video camera at this moment.
Happy Birthday Beth…That’s such a beautiful message. I sort of welled up when I saw your picture meeting your daughter. One because it was so tender…and two because I have that same fat blouse. (well you just know I can’t be sensitive too long.)…I’m gonna go and blog about my momma right now!
Beautiful! I agree I want to be a builder up mommy. Happy Mother’s day to you too Beth.
What a beautiful message about your mom and the blessings of motherhood. I am encouraged by your words!
Beth, I know how difficult it is to see our mothers suffer. Some of those twilight years can be difficult. I saw my vibrant and funny mom change almost overnight.
I’m so glad that you had the opportunity to be a mama yourself. I’m sure you had many years of infertility (like me) but I’m glad it worked out for you. Your daugher is blessed to have you for a mom.
Happy Mother’s Day!
O.k. Did I mean…Happy birthday to your daughter…no…I meant…Happy Mother’s Day. I’m putting my “fat girl shirt in the goodwill pile…TODAY!”
Girl, where have I been? Geesh, you have had an extreme makeover and everything. It’s so beautiful here. Wish I could stay longer…
LOVED your post about your mom. Precious.
You said you were doing a VLOG? What’s that?
Wonderful, touching post.
xoxo
Your picture meeting your daughter gave me chills.
Happy mother’s Day to you!
What a beautifully written post. Wild how becoming a mommy ourselves gives us the opportunity not to repeat mistakes/regrets made by our own mothers.
Love that pic of you at the bottom. 🙂 What a gift!
I loved your story about your Mom and the picture of you meeting your daughter for the first time…okay – had to get a kleenex. Happy Thankful Thursday to you.
This was beautiful. A great tribute to your Mom. Happy Mother’s Day.
Oh Beth,
What a wonderful post and such transparency… You will give hope to others. I count it a privilege to know you.
Happy Mother’s Day. and TT. Hugs.
Such a beautiful post, Beth. Dispite all her hardships growing up, it’s evident that your Mom (and sister too) raised a beautiful person. Makes me wanna go give my Mom a BIG hug.
Happy Mother’s Day! I hope you have a wonderful day.
Oh this is just beautiful, Beth! This was written from the depths of your soul…thank you so much for encouraging me today. Happy Mother’s Day!
This is beautiful! What a wonderful tribute. Plus, the feelings you write about being a mother ring true with so many of us!
Happy Mother’s Day to YOU, too! :o)
What a lovely post. Just a testimony to God’s faithfulness to heal and to make us whole.
Loved your vlog too. You’re right it’s a blessing to have your parents. I am blessed to have my mom and I’ll see my dad again some day.
BTW, noone told me about the dust. Nope…Noone…..good thing you’re not here to see MY mess today!
Beth You Got me Crying.I can’t understand Being hurt as a child my father and mother were love, they gave everything for my brother and sister and myself sad they are not alive to see their granddaughter,and great grandsons.i know you will fill your daughter with Gods love.Love to all.
Stopping by from Mama Kat’s…what a lovely tribute to your mother, so touching.
Also, that’s a heartbreaking (in a good way) picture of meeting your daughter for the first time!
Happy Mother’s Day!
Oh my goodness…that was so beautiful, Beth!!!
You really inspired me to do a "Mother's Day" post for Sunday!!!
HUGS & LOVE,
Alicia
You are truly an example of a woman surrendered to Jesus and I’m so glad he gave you beauty for ashes. I admire you. Your story is heartwarming.
Such a beautiful post, made my heart smile.
I am so absolutely blessed by this post. thank you.
Happy Mother’s Day, Beth. I feel like your mom sometimes.
Thank you for this post. I’m also trying to be a better Mom to my girls. My Mom turns 80 this summer and I’m expected to come home for the party. I have no desire and the hurts it brings up (ahhhh!) Thanks again for sharing your heart.
Happy Mothers Day!
love your post, beth. (((HUGS))) i was so touched especially the being a mommy part. love it.
Wow, your blog is awesome! Thank you for the comment. I look forward to reading more on your blog.
Have a great Friday!
I am truly touched by your sharing about you and your mama and how beautiful to see you meet your little one for the first time. So precious. You are a wonderful woman in the Lord Beth as well as a wonderful mommy to your precous daughter. Your blog is beautiful with pictures of your family. You are a proud mommy.
Love you,
Alleluiabelle
What a BEAUTIFUL post!!! It arrived at the most perfect timing as well because Mother’s Day is coming up fast 🙂
I can relate with you a little bit, my mother was busy training up my oldest sister (who is almost two years older) and my ma actually gave my sister the ‘bigger’ room until she graduated! The nerve LOL! Finally, I was the only child in the house when I was 16 and I was looking forward to the ‘training’ but my mother found out that her husband cheated on her. So I spent the next year trying to help her cope with the depression and I never learned how to cook :o) oops!!
My husband begged me to cook and I am now finally learning 🙂 I receive plenty of compliments and I am so happy I taught myself how to cook. Praise the Lord!! But let me tell you, I am already teaching my son how to cook (stir the dough, etc) and he’s only three LOL
Oops, didn’t mean to ramble away like that 🙂 your post struck a chord with me, thank you for sharing!
What a wonderful post! I love that picture of when you met your daughter! WOW, what a moment!
Happy Mother’s Day! I can tell how much you love and are proud of your daughter by your post!! 😀
Happy Mother’s Day to you! Your post really touched me. Thanks so much for sharing.
Isn’t being a mom so special?
Wow! Thanks for the sharing such beatiful moments in your life.
That last picture has me in tears.
Happy Mother’s Day!
Dearest Beth,
What a beautiful story of forgiveness and healing. I love how the Lord takes things, one step deeper, and never quits … always bringing completion to what He has begun in us! :o) I lost my mom at such an early age, I really have very little memory of her. However, God’s grace is more than I can express, and He has covered me through life. :o) I too am a “birth-mom” and to know that you are an “adoptive mom” adds one more layer of appreciation I have for you. :o) The deep love for your daughter is wonderful as well as your love for her birth mom.
Sincerely ~ Tricia Anne
I love stories like this – the real, honest “how my life happened” stuff. You got my tears a’rollin girl!! I’m so glad you’re a Mommy – you are truly blessed!