In honor of Mother's Day, I wanted to write a special post honoring 2 moms in my life...my mom, and Dave's mom. Both moms really are amazing women, and have given their entire lives to serving others and their families. (No, they are not polygamists...each mom only has ONE family. And let me just say, I am sure right now, they are THRILLED that I have described them, and used the word "polygamists" in the same paragraph. Oops! Make that TWICE I have used the word "polygamists." THREE TIMES...This could go on forever, couldn't it? I'm having fun; how about you?)
Oh, but back on subject! (You'll have to forgive me. I was serious yesterday, and I am finding it hard to be serious two days in a row...)
I thought it would be a fun way to honor both moms, to tell you what my mom / Dave's mom has taught me / taught my husband. Plus, it's a fun way to post some old photos of these cute moms!
First up: My mom
MarytheKay: If someone asked me to name THE BIGGEST THING my mom taught me growing up, I would easily say, "To love the unlovely." My mom has always had a heart for the underdog, the un-loved, the forgotten. She just can't help herself--everywhere she has lived, she has poured herself into a local ministry that helps these "forgotten people." She has run a soup kitchen (and made us kids work there, and get to know the people she loved and served). She has counseled probably hundreds of people working in a Second Mile-type ministry and a Free Medical Clinic, always praying with them and loving on them like she does.
Our family's life was so much richer because of her relationship with some of the unlovely people in our town...the Judys, the Dorises, the Jerrys (aka, "Razor"), the Davids, one in particular who got to leave jail on Sundays to come to church with our family, and swim in our pool afterwards. (Ha! Just in case you are wondering--NO, this is not the same Dave I married!)
Because of all of these relationships, our family has stored up precious memories and stories of these people Mom has loved. The time sweet Judy wore a brand new dress Mom bought for her birthday, and she innocently wore it to church inside out. Or the time my husband--who absolutely detests and is embarrassed talking about anything the least bit related to "female stuff"--asked Judy what kind of surgery she was going to have. He very very quickly changed the subject when she answered, "My bray-uhsts." Oh, we bring up that story a LOT to Dave!!! We also laugh with my mom about the time she took a care package (probably cookies!) to the jail in the middle of town, and heard Jerry (aka, "Razor") yelling loudly at her from the very top floor window, "MAMA! MA-MAAAA!" (I believe she corrected him later, reminding him she loved him, but she was NOT his mama.)
This is one of my favorite pictures of my mom! She's just so cute and stylish...as are her kids! How about that sailor suit on my big brother? Yeah, he still likes to wear a suit like this...on Easter. I'm the mouth-breather, with the blank stare. But, boy is that Easter bonnet cute!
As you can guess, this was a Valentine's Day. Aren't we all cute in pink? My mom always celebrated the holidays with us kids--decorating the house, having little treats for us, and serving a special meal.
Dave: I think one of the biggest things MarytheKay's mom taught her was quality. She puts forth the effort for doing things right, doing them really well. I still see her doing things this way, the best way, and working very hard in the process. She definitely taught that to my wife.
And now--Dave's mom
Dave: My mom taught me to work hard and serve well. We spent nights sometimes with her growing up as she worked as a private duty nurse. We got to observe her treating elderly patients with caring hands. Our family got to know and love people like Mr. and Mrs. Irvin because of Mom's care for them--that went way beyond what was required.
As I got older, I was even able to help the elderly Irvins stay in their home, by spending time with them, and staying with them. That job helped pay for my college. I had watched Mom so many times over the years care for the sick and elderly, that I knew how to help them.
I love this picture of Dave's family! I especially love his mom's red lipstick--so stylish, and proper! Also, you can't look at this picture and not smile because of Dave's giant little-boy grin. See--you're smiling, aren't you?
MarytheKay: Dave's mom is SUCH a great mother-in-law!!! The quality that stands out in her to me is her service to others. Can you understand why I love for her to visit? She just won't sit down...she is always up and helping me do something. It's almost embarrassing the way she irons when she's here (Mom--it's about time to come back--Dave needs some more shirts!!), washes dishes, folds clothes...filling in whatever gaps that need filling. Yeah, and around here, with our crazy running-around schedule, there are lots of gaps to fill!
Also, if you're sick, you want Dave's mom to care for you. She has the best, most caring bedside manner. This is why her Hospice patients and Nursing Home patients adore her! And her care doesn't stop with the physical. She is always asking those eternal questions, and praying with them. These are all reasons why anywhere she has worked, BEGS her to STAY!!
Oh, and this picture? Winter wonderland with Grandma! This was after a Christmas service at church--note the red! I am sure Grandma made these girls some snow ice cream that day!
Well, those are our Mamas. Aren't they great? They are both behind-the-scenes kind of ladies. They will never be the ones out front, accepting credit. For this reason, neither one will probably ever receive any formal awards or accolades. But, I can tell you this: The lines of people, the hundreds of lives who have been personally touched and served and changed by these two women stand in their Eternal Accounting. I like to think about the kind of ending their own It's a Wonderful Life movies would have...the specific faces of people they have helped over the years showing up on their doorsteps to say "You made a difference" and "Thank you."
Happy Mother's day, Mom!!!
I'd love to know...What did your mom teach you?
Linked up with:
Writer's Workshop at Mama's Losin' It!
I'm Lovin' It at Tidy Mom
