Saturday, May 10, 2014

My Mother ~ An Inspiration

My mother is a beautiful woman.


Of that there is no doubt. 
I must have been only about four or five years old
when I found myself studying this portrait of her.  
I was struck by her beauty.
I remember placing the framed image back on her dresser, running into the kitchen where she was working.  I then ran back to her bedroom and took the portrait off of the dresser.  
Taking it to her, I said,
 "Momma, did you know how pretty you are?"


Over the years, I come to admire so much more than just her beauty and style.
It has been many years since I was a child  dressing up in her size four and half high heels.  
I never did fit into those shoes.
My feet were much bigger than hers.
Now, I see so much more in her than I once did.

My mother will turn 98 years old at the end of this month.
She lives six hours away from me.
This past week, I was able to spend just a few hours with her
 as we drove home from a trip to see grandchildren.

While I was with her,  I went out into her yard to dig up some
Lily of the Valley.
I wanted to bring them home to plant in my yard.
These plants originally been transplanted by my mother 
after she dug them from my grandmother's yard over forty years ago.
I wanted to return those plants to Colorado Springs.
I wanted them to grow in my yard.
Lily of the Valley were in my mother's wedding bouquet.
Lily of the Valley were in my wedding bouquet.

I was surprised to see those beautiful pearl shaped white flowers in bloom 
when I went to the side of the house.
I decide to pick a bouquet for Mother.



While I was with her earlier this week, I was able to deliver her Mother's Day Card to her in person.
The front of the card said,
Sooner or later, we all quote our mothers.
Inside the card, the message said,
See, I was listening.

I wrote:
I am also watching.  
I continued to write her a note telling her she is an inspiration.

Yes, I'm taking notes on how to age with grace and beauty.

Mother had tears in her eyes after she read my card.
I faced her and put my hands on her shoulders.
She seemed so small.
She seemed so fragile.
Her once bright eyes seemed more cloudy than I want to see.
She said,
"When I gave my life over to the Lord and told Him to take control of my life, that made all the difference.  He has always taken care of me.  
Look how He provides.  
Before I get up every morning, I ask Him to take care of me, 
and He does.  
I don't worry about anything.  I trust Him."

She asked me to trust more and worry less.

She doesn't know how much I worry about her.
I do.

I wish she were not so far away.
I wish I could work in her yard, take her to the store, visit with her,
help her with the daily tasks of living.
She wants to live where she has lived for so long.
Who can fault her for that?
She is stubborn.
She is a woman with whom you cannot argue.
She is a woman determined to keep her independence.

She also is a woman trusting the Lord minute by minute.
He has taken care of her all these 98 years. 
She knows He's going to continue to do so.

Her favorite song is,
Because He Lives, I Can Face Tomorrow.
That is the anthem of her life.

Yes,
She knows how to age with grace and beauty.
She gives me much to admire.

I love you, Mother. 
Thank you for all of the life lessons you have given me.
Most of all, 
thank you for allowing 
God's grace to shine through you 
as you have modeled for me, and for so many others,
 the walk of faith.  

* Note
My mother will read this post on her computer.  She is up with the times.  She is amazing.












23 comments:

  1. What a wonderful post. Your beautiful mother is an inspiration!

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  2. With tears in my eyes, I have read your post today. She certainly was a very good looking girl in her younger life however now at 98 God's love shines from her face. She is right, we all should TRUST MORE on the LORD and not worry, after all if we truly trust Him, we have nothing to worry about. It of course does not mean we will not have trails and mountains to climb but these times, if we trust it will make us even stronger and more trusting. This is a great tribute you have given to your mother today and as I know she will be reading this, so I say to her, " may God bless you today and always".

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  3. You and your mom are blessed to have each other!...:)JP

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  4. Your mother is both beautiful and wise. Happy Mother's Day to you both.

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  5. Happy Mother's Day to you and to your beautiful mother. You are so fortunate to still have her in your life. It is wonderful that you got to share your thoughts with her in person for Mother's Day.

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  6. Your mother's trust in the Lord and her anthem have made the difference in her life. On Friday evening we attended a party where another 98 year old was in attendance. Ransom still lives in the mobile home where he lived with his wife of 71 years. She died 4 years ago at age 94. He still drives his car. He helps work in the church's 7 acres of gardens. No cane, no walker, no surgeries. He made the comment that the Lord has taken good care of them and continues to care for him. Like your mother. Just trust and obey.

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  7. What a beautiful post, Sally. Your mother is inspiring. She seems to have the perfect combination of trust and stubbornness. And Happy Mother's Day, Sally's Mom.

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  8. Wow -- what a glorious tribute, Sally. And well deserved, too, I see. She is lovely now and wow -- what a glamour girl then! And so "with it." I have to say you are so very, very lucky to have your mom, have her healthy and yes, have her lilies, too. I smile as I read this -- not without a tad of gentle envy but with lots of love and joy. Happy Mother's Day to you, too.

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  9. A Happy Mother's Day to you and to your sweet Mom... Hope today is a wonderful day. I'm sure it will be. Love your words about and to your Mom. You are such a great writer.

    I am improving with each passing day from my surgery --but the weekend was NOT a 'piece of cake' for me.... Oh Well... Keeps me honest, I guess... ha ha

    Hugs,
    Betsy

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  10. You are so incredibly fortunate to have such a mother, Sally. I can see the family resemblance in that picture of her. Thank you for the beautiful tribute you have written to her, and knowing that she will read it, and the comments, I give thanks for making her essence available to me as well. Happy Mother's Day! :-)

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  11. Happy Mother's Day to you and your not only beautiful but amazing Mother. You are definitely your mother's daughter. She not only gave you years of care but wonderful genes. Just a beautiful tribute Sally.

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  12. Aren't you lucky to have such a mother?

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  13. How lucky you are to have her, but such a pity that you live so far away from her. You've written a lovely tribute, though.

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  14. That was beautiful. Your mother did a good job with you. :-)

    Greetings from Minneapolis,

    Pearl

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  15. Such a beautiful tribute to your beautiful mother, Sally. You are very fortunate to still have her with you, so cherish every minute with her.

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  16. A belated Happy Mother's Day to you, Sally. Your mother is a marvel and true testament of faith. What a beautiful story, and I love that you gave her the lilies of the valley. They played an important role in my life growing up as there were so many around the houses where I grew up. SWEET scent and evocative of great memories.

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  17. Your mother is doing very well, isn't she?
    How beautiful that photo of her when she was young. Yet there is a beauty in the present one too of you both and the love for each other does emanate.
    Lovely choice of flowers and song!
    Maggie x

    Nuts in May

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  18. What a lovely tribute to your mother! She sounds like an amazing woman. Hope you both had a very happy Mother's Day!

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  19. I loved this so much, Sally. Your mom is definitely beautiful... then and now. I see where your beauty comes from. I see the lovely resemblance. I've always loved Lilies of the Valley. They've always made me smile, just as this post did.

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  20. What a lucky woman you are! And how lucky for your mom to have you around too. In the end, we become whom we admired so.
    Happy, albeit belated, Mother's Day, Sally, to you and your lovely mother.

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  21. Happy Belated Mother's Day to both you and your mother! How lovely she is, both then and now.

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  22. Your mother is a treasure. Treasure her, as I know you do.

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  23. What a beautiful post....and such a sweet picture. Your Mother is a great woman of faith. We could all learn from her how to trust in the Lord....maybe you can convince her to start a blog!!!!!!I would be her second follower...after you! Have an awesome day!
    Blessings, Joanne

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