To My Mom

Today is Mother's Day. A day to let our Mothers know how special they are. To thank them for everything that they have done for us, whether we are just 5 days old, or 50 years old. A day to thank Jesus for giving us such a person to care for us, love us, comfort us. And to thank Jesus for giving us His Mother Mary also, to be our Mother. To love us with the tenderness and gentleness of a perfect mother. To share in our joys and our trails because she has been there too. But Jesus gave us His Mother to bring us closer to Him. To draw us near to Him. All that Mary has, she brings to her Son.  Jesus wants to touch us, show us His love, through the love of a mother, His Mother.

I wanted to say a little Thank you to my mom. (hopefully she's okay with me posting this) :) I know I don't tell her enough how special she is, and how grateful I am for all she does for me, for all of us. I couldn't have asked for a better mom! She has been there for me, from the day I was born and rushed to Children's hospital in critical condition. And through all those young years, staying up with me when I was sick, or when I would have bad dreams. Holding me, rocking me, carrying me back to my bed up those stairs. She was there when I would come home from school, crying, feeling left out when I was the only one not invited to the birthday party. She was there to cheer me on when I sewed my watermelon dress for the county fair, or when I had my first piano recital in front of so many others. She supported me when I wanted to buy a horse so bad. She was there on those late nights to help me study for tests, thinking of acronyms so I could remember what crazy words meant. And helped me when I had trouble writing a paper. She was the best at grammar! :)  She was there to help me get ready for my first prom, and so excited with me when I had a date! She would be there to talk on the phone when I was so homesick being the first to go to college. She prayed and went to Mass for me the morning I took my boards. And celebrated when I found out I passed!! She would keep me awake on my drive homes in the early morning after working a night shift. With each heartbreak, even when I told her I'd be fine, she knew better (like mom's always do) and stopped whatever she was doing to be there to hold me when I cried and cried. Encouraging me always, especially when life gets tough! She is there to help me find the perfect outfit and accessories. And there to sew me scrub tops, even if it meant her to stay up til early morning to finish!  And teaching me about the beauty of the cardinals-- sharing such hope!  She listens and understands when no one else does.
I could go on and on. But mostly my mom has taught me so much about love, sacrifice, and trusting in God through it all. To love with your entire being. It might not always be seen on the outside, but loving by giving of oneself when it's hardest. When one doesn't think can go one more minute, but yet somehow washes yet another load of laundry so you have your basketball uniform cleaned, or have clothes to take back to college; or texts you back at 3am when you confide in her something that is keeping you awake, that you can't seem to let go. That is love! That is sacrifice! That is what a mother does. She gives everything up of her, to give to her children. She prays for them constantly. She tells them the things no one else wants to say because she knows that will make them a better person. She loves them with her entire being. And she trusts God! That is probably the number one thing she has taught me, and which I am still trying to learn and understand. That trust. That complete trust that God is in control, and His plan is always best. He always knows. Many times it is not what we want, not what we pray for, not what we understand. But we still have to Trust in Him because he knows always.

I know there is so much more. So much more to say thank you for. She not only has been an incredible mother to myself and my siblings, she is a mother to so many others. Her kids at school, her students in CCD-- staying so many late nights to help one of them deal with a really tough difficulty. She's done that ever since I can remember.  And just never being afraid to lend one more extra hand, do one more thing to help ease another person's burden. I honestly don't know how she does it all.  She is a true example of sharing in the water of grace. The motto I keep going back to as I try to live my life. Sharing the love that Jesus has for us, and wants us to know, by sharing in the water of grace all around us each day!

 At Mass last night, our priest talked about motherhood, explaining that Motherhood is one of the beautiful ways God makes love known. The importance of sacrifice and giving oneself away as a gift. Motherhood gives life. So all I can say is THANK YOU from the bottom of my heart, for giving me the gift of life. For being my mother. For not giving up on me. And for teaching me about the love Jesus and Our Blessed Mother have for us. It's the best gift you could have given me, given us. If God blesses me with the gift of being a mother someday, I pray that I can be at least half the mother you were to me, to all of us. And then I would know I am doing good. Thank you for loving us so very much!! Love you so much!! (insert heart emoji here) :)

A Mother's Day Prayer

I thank you, Creator of us all, for my mother.

I thank you that she gave me life and nurtured me all those years.  She gave me my faith, helping me to know you and to know Jesus and his ways. She taught me how to love and how to sacrifice for others. She taught me that it was okay to cry and that I should always tell the truth.

Bless he with the graces she needs and which you want to give her today. Help her to feel precious in your eyes today and to know that I love her. Give her strength and courage, compassion and peace.

Bless her this day with your love.

Oh and sharing with us your love for sun and water of course!! :)