Dear Mom

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My Momma, 1953

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I’ve been thinking a lot about Mothers Day of course, and wondering what to send to my own dear Momma this year.   I decided to send a letter.  Because, in the busyness of life and the quick and hurried phone conversations from 2000 miles away (even though we talk almost every day), I know I don’t say enough.  I felt moved to share my letter here.  I hope it will encourage you to write a Mother’s Day letter to your Momma!  (I’m sharing pictures of my Momma here in this blog post… but I realized that most of the pictures I have of her include my sweet Dad!  So it’s a two for one deal!)

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Mom and Dad, 1957

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Dear Mom,

Thank you.  As I sit here today thinking of all the things I want to say, those two words are what keep coming to my mind.

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My family 1964 (That’s me on my Momma’s lap)

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Thank you for being the mom that you were when I was a tiny little girl.  The mom that had an endless supply of hugs and love.  The mom that laughed easily and frequently and taught me how to laugh the same.  The mom that taught your four little children that fighting with each other was not acceptable behavior, that love and kindness to each other was expected.  Thank you for being completely present in my life and making every sacrifice necessary to be home with me.

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Me in those awkward middle school years!

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Thank you for being the mom that you were when I was a young girl in middle school struggling to fit in and find my place.  For always, every day, greeting us at the door when we walked down the road from the bus-stop.  For being the Mom that had no problem with me jumping up to sit on the kitchen counter and talking non-stop while you cooked dinner every single night.   Thank you for being my best supporter and always listening to my side of things when my heart was broken because of a silly fight with my best friend at school… and then gently helping me to see the other side of the story too.

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My senior picture, 1980

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Thank you for being the mom that you were when I was a teenager.  The  mom that was patient when I was bratty, kind when I wasn’t, and tender when I was hard.  Thank you for  knowing how to laugh and have fun, playing crazy card games with us way into the night on a Friday night but also for the serious talks reminding me what was right and true.  Thank you for teaching me how to work… for making me get out of bed early during the summer to hoe weeds in the garden, or to butcher a few chickens, or pick and can the produce from the garden… all with the faithfully kept promise of an afternoon swimming at the river when the work was done.  Thank you for your big heart that welcomed anyone into our home and treated them with nothing but kindness.  Thank you for teaching me to be kind and forgive others when my feelings were hurt, because you were mature enough to know that everyone has their own battles and oftentimes hurt others without realizing it.  

 

Thank you for being the mom that you were when I was a young woman trying to find my way in the world and feeling so alone.  For driving four hours to the city where I lived to bring me a few things from your kitchen to make my apartment kitchen feel more like home.  Thank you for the weekly letters you wrote (in the days when it was too expensive to talk on the phone) that encouraged me to be true to myself and to what I knew was right.

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Mom, on my wedding day 1982

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Thank you for being the mom that you were when I was a young wife.  For gently helping me to give of myself and love my husband.  Thank you for loving my husband like he was your own son and treating him with respect and kindness.  Thank you for helping me to be strong when life was hard and for your beautiful example of how to be a loving wife.

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My Mom and Dad with my daughter’s girls, 2017

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Thank you for being the mom that you were when I was raising my own children.  For continuing to be such a beautiful example of grace in motherhood.  For listening to my frustrations, fears and worries and then knowing exactly what to say to soothe my weary heart.  Thank you for showing that same wisdom to my daughter now as she raises her children.  

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My Mom and Dad with me celebrating the end of my cancer journey, 2006.  (My hair was just beginning to grow back from chemo!) 

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Thank you especially for being the mom that you are now.  The mom that still calls me and listens when I’m having a hard day.  The mom that laughs when I laugh and cries when I cry.  The mom that set aside everything in your own life to come and be by my side every minute of the day while I was going through the fight of my life with cancer.  The mom that held my hands, rubbed my back, and took care of my household so that I could heal and recover.  Thank you for never growing too old to be a help, encouragement and comfort to me.

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I am thankful that because of you, Mom, I am me.  I love you with all my heart. 

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My parents on their 60th wedding anniversary, 2017

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A letter from Mom to my husband and I one year after I was diagnosed with breast cancer.  I will always cherish this letter.  

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Me with my Mom and Dad at their home in New Mexico, 2016.

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Happy Mothers Day friends.  I would love to hear from you telling me what are the things you are most thankful for with your mother?

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And now…  the two winners to my fabric tape giveaway from last month are:

Carol and Cyndie!

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Until our gravel roads cross again… so long,

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Dori