{Good morning/night :) I have a perfectly good reason for why I am up and writing on my blog at this hour....because my cough medicine wore off and now I am waiting for the new dose to kick in...}
I went to a Mother's Banquet/Dinner tonight at my mom's church. I was doing good emotionally until my sister got up to do her part in the special event.(She was our "special speaker"). She was talking about having gratitude in everything. From waking up in a grumpy mood to falling asleep overjoyed. That we need to give thanks to God for allowing any of that to happen. She shared 2 special stories with us tonight.
One of the stories she explained how she leaned into God when she lost her son Jaron. She said she gave thanks because she knew God would take great care of her son. My emotions and memories from that life event suddenly rushed to the front of my mind. I too, was pregnant at the time. We both mourned in different ways, and believe me, any time I mention my angel baby nephew's name, Jaron, I have to hold the tears back. While she gave thanks, I questioned God. I realize now that I shouldn't have, but to me, it wasn't fair.
The second story she shared is also very near & dear to my heart. The morning our daddy passed away. As my dad took his last few breaths, we (mom, Christine, me & the very sweet nurse that was on call that night) began to sing all of the verses of my daddy's favorite hymnal "It is well". At the end, my mother looked up to heaven and said "Thank you!" As hard and trying as the time of mourning for my dad has been, and for the last 2 months of his life of suffering, we were so beyond thankful that the Lord took him when he did. I am still thankful that my dad is no longer in pain & is celebrating with our other family that has gone before us right now, in heaven; but it is only human for me to miss my earthly father and wish for him to be back more often than not.
I share those 2 stories because today is Mother's Day (yes, technically at 1:15 am--when most people are sleeping). It is my 3rd year to celebrate this special day devoted to us mothers (I count being a mom even when I was pregnant). It is also my 1st year without my daddy. This is hard on so many levels. Not only was he a loving father who loved his girls, but that man loved my mom, the best mom a girl...er 2 girls could ask for. Today I will give thanks for the many blessings I have in my life and will thoroughly enjoy my day spending it with ALL of my family (Brady, Jayden, mom, Christine, Pete, all 8 kids & my in-loves)!!
Today I give thanks, as well as all the time to my mom. The best mom I could ask for. Seriously, she is--end of story. She has such a giving heart, and no matter the mood you're in, she is always right there to pick you up, brush the dirt off your knees and tell you "It's going to be ok, just give it to the Lord," She has a heart of gold and she is always in the giving mood. I'm sure I have given her lots of trouble growing up, but she stuck it out and was still the best mom ever. She deserves so much more than this blog post. She deserves the world.
I also give thanks for another special mom in my life, my sister. I have seen her parent for the last 18 years, through good and bad times, through times of joy, through times of joy & I have to say, she's done a wonderful job. Growing up, I never thought I wanted to be a "stay at home mom like Christine". I was for sure that I wanted to "work and be a mom." First of all, what was I thinking? I wasn't! Ha! Second of all, God had other plans. Psh, that sure changed the bigger I got and the later in my pregnancy. So I owe a lot of the whole SAHM wants to my sister. Because that changed very, very soon after I became pregnant. She is also a 2nd mom to me...well she sure thought so when I was in college (lol). I totally respect her for that & I just know she felt the need to help a sista out ;).
And last, but certainly not least, my Mom-in-love, Angela. It's crazy to think that we are actually very similar (I get reminded a lot from the Hubbers). These past 4 years have been incredible and being apart of a family who loves me as if I were one of their own, is better than anything I could ever ask for. My sweet mom-in-love is caring, outspoken, beautiful, doesn't look her age AT ALL, loving & probably the best Mia that my son could have. I love the fact that if I have a question, all I have to do is text her, it's not awkward and I especially love the fact that when my married friends talk about their in-laws, it's usually not nice...I don't have that issue. Unlike some, I love my in-loves. I'm very blessed.
Thank you to all the beautiful moms in my life. You make life more fun, loving, crazy, never boring & definitely REAL!
Happy Mother's Day.
God Bless,
Kim
