Aahh, it's Mother's Day. I slept in, got to have my devotions without interruption and even enjoyed a cup of my favorite tea.
Justus and Emma (my 4 and 2 year olds) greeted me with "Happy Birthday Mommy!" as soon as I emerged from my bedroom. It's the exuberance that counts…who cares that the words were wrong.
My tired but thoughtful husband then reminded the kids that they had something for me and a minute later I was presented with three handmade cards. My 8-year-old wrote "Dear Mom, have a good Mother's Day. I hope you enjoy your present. Love, Caleb", but he signed his name in cursive which made me smile. A couple of months ago, cursive had been the bane of my homeschooler's existence, but I can tell that he's proud of himself for having nearly mastered it.
Their gift to me was a beautiful imitation Pandora bracelet—you can almost always count on Cambodia to have an imitation version of everything that's trendy in the West. The kids each have a charm on it that represents them…I love it!!
I got to thinking this morning about all the women in my life who have either mothered or mentored me in some way or another. Each one has made impressions and helped to shape the woman I am today. I thought of Clarene Bottler, my kindergarten teacher, and a host of other amazing ladies that worked at Temple Christian School through my gradeschool and highschool years, ending with Carolyn Wade, our Senior home room teacher. I'm convinced that several of us wouldn't have made it through that last year of high school if not for Carolyn's steady hand comforting and guiding us.
I also thought of the ladies that worked at Portland Bible College, some while I was a kid and others while I was a student and then a staff member. I remembered how, as a child, I would go to Arlene Sanders' office for gum, and then would pop into Barbara Wright's office to cluck "This is the Day" together…yes, I said cluck, as in clucking like a chicken. We all need people in our lives who remind us not to take life too seriously.
I thought about my grandmas for a long time. One taught me to crochet and the other taught me to play the piano. Both have deeply impacted my faith in God.
Then there was Donna Lasit who fine-tuned my piano skills, and mentored me in worship. Her mother, Sharon Wagar, also took me under her wing and mentored me in ministry and missions.
Wendy Prosser, my mother-in-law, welcomed me with open arms from day one. What a generous, thoughtful and beautiful woman she is!
As you can imagine, there was one woman that my mind and memories wandered to for the entire day. My mom, Glenda Malmin.
Mom, you are the most amazing woman I know…I think of you daily and am so blessed by our regular Skype chats. Your words and the memories that we've made are constantly with me. Even though we've been separated by miles for over six years now, we are still so connected in our spirits.
Remember when we read the Amelia Bedelia books together? Now I think of you when I read books to my kids.
I remember when your grandma passed away and you couldn't go to her funeral because it was too far away. You let me sit on your lap and hug you while you cried. It meant a lot to me as a child to be allowed to comfort my mommy, who I loved so much. So now, I don't hide all my tears from my kids. I let their little arms comfort my soul.
Then there was the day in grade school when I came home with both knees scraped up and bandaged. I had fallen three times on the playground that day, and was beginning to wonder if I was the clumsiest person in the world! But, instead of scolding me for not being careful, you comforted me and told me it would be alright.
Every day, as soon as I got home from school, you would ask me how my day went. I got so in the habit of telling you everything as a child, that as a teen, I couldn't help but tell you everything…even when I didn't want to. You never forced me, but just patiently waited to lend your understanding ear. I can't thank you enough for being such a good listener.
Remember searching high and low for a decent formal dress to wear to my graduation banquet? Instead of giving up and settling for something less special, we finally found a perfect pattern and fabric, and nearly cried tears of joy. J Thanks for teaching me to rejoice over both big and little things.
Remember laughing our heads off for no reason? Even now when we get started, Dad and Jason just say, "Here they go again", and then leave us to ourselves. J Thanks for passing on your merry heart…it's good medicine.
Then came college and missions trips and the call of God began to take shape. You continually reminded me to seek God and hear His voice for myself. You believed in me and entrusted me to His care. Now that I have my own kids, I am wondering how on earth you did it! How is a mother supposed to go about releasing the precious babies who have consumed her heart and life for 20+ years? I hope I can follow your example in 10 short years when my oldest takes his first steps into adulthood.
Just the other day I reminded my little Emma that her third birthday is coming. She's been growing out of her clothes so I mentioned with a twinkle in my eye that we'll need to go shopping. She immediately brightened up and started dancing around the room saying, "Shopping spree for my birthday!". My idea of a perfect birthday, still to this day, includes lunch, pedicures, and shopping with you Mom. J
There's so much about you that I want to emulate. Your self-sacrifice, self-discipline, and selfless love. Your consistent relationship with the Father and your ear that's tuned to His voice. Your ability to laugh and let go when life hands you lemons. Your ability to cry and move on when the lemons are particularly sour. You are an amazing wife, mom, grammy, daughter, sister, pastor, mentor, teacher, and friend. Not only do your children rise and call you blessed, but so does everyone whose life you've touched.
Happy Mother's Day!
I love you so much!
