| This is the month that has
been chosen to celebrate Mothers Day. Actually every day gives rise to
thoughts of my mother, because in some way or another, everything I think
and do has been directly or indirectly affected by her and how she raised
me. The things she taught me as I was growing up have greatly affected
my view of myself, who I am, and how I see the world. I realize that I
was tremendously blessed by God with three very wonderful women who loved
me dearly, my Grandmother, my Mother, and my Aunt Barbara. All three of
them put themselves and their love into raising me. All three of them believed
in me, encouraged me, and most importantly loved me and made that fact
very plain and evident. Each and every one of them in their own way, (and
they are all very different), impute themselves into me. A day does not
go by but what I don't think about something one of these fine women either
taught me or instilled in me because of their own examples.
My Grandmother was very stern
and had a very strong will. She loved her family very much and raised them
during a time that was extremely difficult in our history, during the depression.
She sacrificed a great deal to make sure that they had what she couldn't.
For me, most importantly, she constantly reminded me that I was very Special
and that I could be or do anything I wanted to and that I should never
let anyone put me down because of my age or anything else. She taught me
the importance of hard work and of watching and seeing things grow. She
instilled in all of her family the true meaning of NEVER giving up, and
of staying with something or someone until the job is done and the ultimate
results are accomplished. I could talk about her week upon week and the
things she showed and taught me.
My Mother is also a very Special
Lady. She had many heartaches and struggles in her life too. But she some
how always gets through them with a tender heart and a positive attitude.
She's always known that somehow God was in it and He had His plan for the
event or happening. In our home she has always given us something to laugh
about. As a matter of fact if you know me and all my sisters, you will
see a very close similarity in all of us ( we laugh allot and see things
humorous in practically everything, especially when we are together). Mother
taught us that life is short and wonderful in spite of very tough and difficult
times and that we shouldn't take something's too seriously. She taught
us to always give another a hearing and to not be judgmental of them .
"You never know what has happened in their lives to cause them to see life
the way they do." "If you could just walk in their shoes for a day, you
would better understand who they are and why they do the things they do."
She always treated us individually and never felt obligated to treat us
all alike. She loved us for ourselves and never put us down for our mistakes.
She always encouraged us to get up and start again if we made a mistake.
And she always always loved us unconditionally. What a heritage.
My Aunt Barbara was always
loving, accepting, and believing in me, and others. She is probably the
best listener I've ever known. She genuinely loves and cares about those
around her. She is very quiet natured and is a tremendous care giver. She
was one of the best examples of a strong supportive wife I've ever seen
before her husband died. She raised her four children on her own after
that and never looked to anyone else to do her job. She has always shown
me what it meant to have "Quiet Strength." She has always had a servants
heart and is right there jolly on the spot when someone needed help. Oh
how I love her! And how I love all three of them!!!
I hope that you take the month
of May and remember the Special women in your life! Try to take time to
tell them how much they mean to you if they are still here. And if they
aren't, try to pass on to others the special qualities they taught you.
I'd love to hear from you. |
