No Greater Gift

When I was young, a box of crayons, some Elmer's Glue, and a sheet of construction paper were often the only things I had to create the "perfect" Mother's Day gift for my sweet mom. I'd pour my heart and soul into a card for her. Of course, as I got older, I recall making her a macrame plant holder, giving her a bouquet of beautiful flowers, and presenting her with several hummingbird figurines to add to her ever-growing collection. I was willing to do whatever it took to make her feel special and to put a smile on her face.

Whenever my mom opened her cards and gifts, she'd burst into tears as though I'd given just handed her the most precious jewels in all the world.  She wanted me to know that whatever I'd done for her was more wonderful than she'd ever dreamed. She made me feel like I was walking on top of the world!  She didn't care about the dried glue, misspelled words, or the overabundance of glitter. In fact, she'd proudly display my cards on the refrigerator or on a table for everyone to admire.  She continued to do this whenever my girls would send her notes or pictures they'd drawn for her. They served as constant reminders of how dear she was to all of us and she kept every one of them tucked away in a drawer for years to come.

When I look back on all the Mother's Day cards and gifts I gave my mom over the years, none of them can compare to gift she gave to me.  I was a shy child growing up and Mom always encouraged me to stretch my wings and to try new things.  She BELIEVED in me far more than I believed in myself.  When I became a cheerleader in the 5th grade and on up through high school, she spent hours on end sewing the perfect uniforms for me to wear.  She'd attend home and away games to watch me cheer...and never complained.  She was there for me when I suffered numerous broken hearts and helped me pick up the pieces.  She'd always reassure me that Mr. Right would come along and that he'd be worth waiting for...and she was right.  She showed me patience and understanding when I became a strong-willed teenager and helped to keep me grounded.

I, of course, can't forget the day I moved away to college...it was a mixture of excitement and sadness.  That final embrace before we said our "goodbyes" was almost more than either one of us could bear.  Somehow, we made it through and grew closer because of it.  I still remember how good her warm hugs felt when I'd come home for a weekend.  Suddenly, all was well in my world, again.  We went through another major separation when I got married and moved away for good.  We both knew that from that moment on, things would never quite be the same, again.  I would never be just her daughter, but, also, someone's wife.  It wasn't long before Brittany entered the picture and Mom's desire of having a granddaughter was finally fulfilled.  Then, sadly enough, I suffered two miscarriages before Abby came along...and Mom was right there with me.  Her understanding ways meant so much to me.  Of course, with the birth of Abby, there was new reason to rejoice!

I'll never forget that fateful day over 10 years ago when Mom called to inform me that she'd been diagnosed with breast cancer.  I, literally, dropped straight to my knees.  No daughter should ever have to hear that kind of news.  Still, by the grace of God, I managed to pull myself together enough to be as supportive of Mom as I could, though I lived miles away.  She fought long and hard and ended up losing her battle in November of 2000.  The pain I felt from losing my mom still stings as much now as it did then.  There is, and will forever be, a  huge void in my heart that can never be filled.

So, on Mother's Day, I look back and remember all that my mom meant to me.  She was the epitome of what being a mother is all about.  She was loving, kind-hearted, forgiving, inspirational, and so much FUN!  She taught me the importance of making FAMILY a top priority. She showed me how to have a great relationship with my girls because I had one with her.  I now realize that all the cards and gifts I gave her over the years pale in comparison to the gift she gave to me... unconditional LOVE.   

Celebrate your mom this Sunday!



P.S.  We have a showing scheduled today, so I'm busy getting ready for it.  If I don't have the chance to pay you a visit today, hope you'll understand why. Have a wonderful weekend...Happy Mother's Day!