Thoughts about Mother's Day~

It is truly very fortunate for me that I do not depend on blogging as a source of income. Here it is, a year later and just now composing a new post. If only I could find an easier way to get the thoughts in my head on to paper or the computer, I would be a blogging wizard! Oh well, one day. Since this is Mother's Day eve, I wanted to jot down my perspective on a few things regarding Mother's Day. In my last post (last Mother's Day) I mentioned a few things about one very special lady in my life, my grandmother. Today, I want to mention a few things about several special ladies who have impacted my life in different ways and the various lessons I have learned from them along this road we call life.

Nelle- Nelle is my natural/birth mother and I met her for the first time in 1992. I cannot put into words what it is like to "see" your mother for the first time but looking into her eyes that day, there was an instant connection. Over the years, I have spent many hours thinking about things from her perspective. Sometimes a mother has to make decisions that are best for those they love but will leave a wound upon their soul so deep, it never truly heals. I know that God has a plan for each of us and sometimes that plan is difficult to understand but I also know that God is faithful and that He is good. One lesson that being adopted has taught me, especially after meeting Nelle, is that a mother's love never dies, is stronger than time, and is brave enough to make decisions that would break a weaker soul.

Mom- My mom went with me the day that I met Nelle and other that the few months that followed, we didn't talk a lot about it. My mom loved my brother and I and was very supportive in all we did. I have to imagine that going with me that day was very difficult for my mom but she did and surprisingly, once they met, they chatted on and on about me. One of the most difficult things I've ever done was to sit between them on a couch that day and listen to them talk about me. One lesson I learned from my mom is that a mother's love believes in answered prayer, is encouraging in all things and goes where other, weaker souls would not.

Gigi Stone- My grandmother was a hero to me. Her love was unlike any other and her laugh was the most contagious I've ever known The oldest girl of 13 children, my grandmother was a nurturing and loving woman who loved deep and was not ashamed to show her love in big and small ways.I could write a book about what she meant to me but one of the greatest lessons she taught me was unconditional love and kindness.

Judy Mink- many people throughout the years have asked if Judy and I were sisters or how exactly we were related. Although she is my cousin, she is more like another "mother". When I was in my teens, there was rarely a Sunday afternoon that I was not at her house, eating dinner and hanging out. I spent many hours at her house and she always made me feel welcome, safe and loved. One lesson that I have learned from Judy, regarding a mother's love, is acceptance. Judy is one of the most loving, supporting, accepting and understanding mother's I know.

There are many other women (mother's) who have impacted my life- (several of these women are Nelle's sisters, my aunts, who are strong and loving women in their own right. They accepted me, without question, and although they may not realize it, they have taught me as well). Mother's Day is to celebrate the Mother, or Mother's, in our lives. Sometimes those women carried us, sometimes those women raised us, sometimes those women loved us, sometimes those women inspired us and sometimes those women encouraged and supported us. No matter the actual role they played in our lives, Mother's impact our lives everyday. I am blessed to have had many in my own life. Although my mom and my grandmother are celebrating Mother's Day in heaven, I think of them often and love all of the women in my life and am thankful for the many lessons I have learned and are still learning!

I could not end this post without writing a word about my daughter, Katie, and the wonderful mother that she is to Judson. Katie inspires me with her faith, her love for her family, her dedication and support and her incredible strength. Happy Mother's Day sweetheart, I love you very much~ Mom