Pleasant words are a honeycomb, Sweet to the soul and healing to the bones. – Proverbs 16:24
In March, when I shared with mom that I was having a hard time, she gave me the best birthday present of all. She flew in and she stayed.
She stayed through temper tantrums, sticky floors, carpools, birthday party craziness and late nights.
She slept on the couch when I wasn’t allowed to walk up stairs. Then, she slept on the couch again when Brian was banished upstairs with the stomach flu. She kept up my laundry and dishes.
But most importantly – she spoke words of encouragement, beauty, and tenderness into my life. She complimented my husband and spoke blessings over my children.
Mom flew back to Texas on Monday. My goodness do we miss her. This morning I ordered her drink at Starbucks to bring home to her. (So mom – there is a Caramel Ribbon Crunch in the fridge). I’ve looked over at the recliner to tell her something and sighed when I realized she wasn’t there.
Yes, I know I’m blessed. My relationship with my mom is special and a treasure. We’ve worked very hard to be kind and purposeful in our love for one another. We are honest with any issues and generous with compliments.
Growing up, I watched my mom (Mary Elizabeth) and my grandmother (Mary Alice) do the same. They are each other’s biggest cheerleaders. They laid the foundation of family and gave us a strong, real example of how to be a team. I can remember mom saying to my brother and I that we should be each other’s safe place. That family should always compliment and protect and love. I now hear this truth coming out of my mouth when I have conversations with my own children. When they fight, I remind them that they know each other better than anyone else and that this is a special and fragile thing. Words must be carefully chosen and used only to build each other up.
I miss you, mom. Thank you for your amazing sacrifice of love and time and self.
So much wisdom there…. I love that your mom did that for your family, and I love that you loved having her do that. (Neither surprises me, by the way.) Praise the Lord that she could.
Love you, Tatie-girl! Happy weekend!
The boys told me I would miss them. I do; I miss my girls too. It was such a special time of sharing and loving. God has blessed me so incredibly with a wonderful daughter and a son chosen through love and four gorgeous grandchildren, smarter and more beautiful than the Arizona sunset. I have been honored to spend the first weeks with them at the arrival of each child. What a glorious honor.
I miss those time. I miss you. You are more kind than I deserve.
My joy, each time I view these photos again, I smile and breathe the love of God. When Katie and Brian first got married, John said,”They will have beautiful babies.” They do all four of them are gorgeous and could not be treasured more by family, church family, friends and all who know and love them.