To Know Her is to Love Her

Are you aware that October 20th is the official holiday of “Sweetest Day”? Yep. I got an email notification this morning indicating as much. The irony in this case is that I just sat with you last evening and I can see you’re laden with worry, but you are as silent as you are strong. There are some times that happen when the bother is allowed to pass on its own. This, however, is not one of those times.

Something has you tied up; something has you withdrawn. I have my own lists of guesses as to what that might be, but more than guessing I think that you need to be reminded often of what everyone else sees when they look at you. I’m taking a leap here and speaking for most, if not all, of humanity when I say that we see strength. We see ability. We see and experience a beauty of you that is incomparable even the definition of beautiful. We see the most-incredible springing to life of a being that God could make. We see, and most of us know, that the process of becoming can be a slow one. …One that is not easy, not always happy, and certainly not light - But one which is worth it. Particularly when it is someone as becoming as you are.

You will be taxed with this weight. You will be responsible for an incredible load that seems, at times, too much for someone so young, so trusting and non-judgmental. Quite frankly, you will be responsible for this because God gave you a heart that is entirely too big for your body. It was no mistake – there is reason even in that. Mostly, because you can carry it and ultimately, because it is the process of blooming. So let that spirit shine on – forgive often, worry less, and let it be. Exist in some acceptance that there is plan and there is purpose for you. And if nothing else, know that I plan to celebrate Sweetest Day with you, if you’ll have me. Times like these are sought after by many. You are at the helm dear one – so shine on!


…and we see love.

The Legacy

At some point in every parent’s life, I believe you reach for the idea that you might be so lucky to leave behind a legacy with your life. By example of living well and learning much, you want for your children to replicate your good deeds and recall your greatness. You wish for the difficult times to evaporate into loving memories of how doing right is always harder, but always worth it - how your efforts as a parent made the life you led momentous to the life your children will lead.

When you reach for this legacy, what used to be personal highlights: anniversaries, birthdays, the coming of age, sleep – they lose importance against the needs of your family. Nearly overnight your husband and children are prioritized. You bask in their happiness, their joy and accomplishments, taking little to no credit for what, intrinsically, you know has been in due part to your being their mother. You just smile.

This is how a legacy is born – where the rewards are reaped years beyond the seeds being sown. But aspirations for great heights, for excellence as a human being, for repenting those mistakes made and finding they were grand gestures to completion – they were counted. And eventually, maybe on the eve of some forgotten anniversary or the happening of another birthday – every piece falls into perfect placement ~ your legacy is born.

That is today.

You have done it Mom. You have been the action and reaction to what it means to live on Faith, and act on Love. We, as your children, are indebted because there is no greater accomplishment than what we have been granted as a Mother. There is no reason to ever not try harder and appreciate more, because we have front-row seats to excellence in life.

Thank you Mom.

And Happy Birthday.

Evermore,

Your Children