The Beautiful Woman That Is My Mother

Some little girls dream of being princesses, or ballerinas, or fairies. Others dream of being doctors, or veterinarians or astronauts. Some dream of being world renowned pianist or an Olympic figure skater. Me? I just wanted to be a mommy, because the one woman I was fascinated by and impressed with the most was my mother. Do you know her? If you do, you are blessed. If you do not, here is a list of what I think of when I think of my mother.

Mom holding me after my first bath at home.

My mother is a nurturer. She cares so well for others that she often doesn't even think of herself. 

My mother is strong. She knows what pain and suffering are, and still endures. She inspires me.

My mother is wise. How many times in a week do my sister and I have to say, "Well did you ask Mom what she thinks?" Somehow, she can always say the right thing. I hope I will have such wisdom when I am a mother. 

But, my mother is honest. She will not tell you what you want to hear. She will tell you what you need to hear. She is teaching me to be truthful with my speech, and not just say what I think will please people.

My mother is beautiful. The greatest compliment people can give me is, "You look just like your mother!" because I am so happy to resemble such a gorgeous woman.

My mother is a hostess. She can throw a real, good party, and make a mixed drink to boot. (Or a cake and coffee, if you're not into the fruity stuff).

My mother loves the Lord with an adoring love. She taught me that God is our "Dear Heavenly Father."

My mother loves my father and marriage, and is wholly committed to both. I'm convinced she is the reason my sister and I married so young - why would we not want to be married? Mom made us love it.

My mother is smart. I cannot even begin to list the things she has taught me. Like how to make lists, and how to journal, how to use lavender to calm a headache, and oil and flour a bundt pan before baking a cake.

pulling down my veil before I walked down the aisle.

<3

My mother makes the best soup in the world. She's famous for it - whether it's chicken noodle, split pea or beef barley. We all will gobble it up.

When my brother Nicholas was young he painted a picture for my mom, and on it he wrote a quotation. I reflected on that long and hard, and it has stuck with me year after year.

"All that I am, and all that I ever hope to be I owe to my mother." - Abraham Lincoln. 

In the midst of wedding preparation and packing up to leave, there were a lot of bittersweet moments, especially for my mother. She would courageously tell friends, "I am not losing daughters, I am gaining two wonderful sons!" But, having two daughters leave within six months' time was difficult, I'm sure. I know I cannot understand this yet. But, when my mother-in-law told me that the hardest thing she ever had to do as a mother was watch (and let) her children drive off to college and then get married, I did understand a little bit more. We are not any less their children just because we are grown. 

One of the things that I have loved, enjoyed and now treasure, is the sweetest of friendships that has formed between my mother and I over the last several years. Our relationship is not just that of mother and daughter, but of friend and friend.

asking Mom if I look OK, and her trying to hold back her tears.

As my sisters wedding day came and went, and mine was fast approaching our mother came to us with a quotation she had read, "She who has a daughter has a best friend." It touched our hearts to be so beloved by our mother. But I'd like to turn that around, because I know that

She who has a mother has a best friend.

Happy Mother's Day, Mom!