I am not one to celebrate "piddly" little holidays. I'd prefer to relish the everyday over a big hurrah once in a while. I enjoy gifting when it's on my heart rather than out of obligation. The same thing goes for receiving.
As Mother's Day draws near, I am found reflecting on the day. It's a day of rest. A day of quiet. I typically set it aside. I don't fill it up, I just want to be near my family. It's really always been that way. It often goes like this:
-Church
-Lunch (usually fried chicken because it's really my favorite and I don't have to cook or feel guilty for not feeding my family healthy food. It's my day, ya'll)
-Rest
I look back on fond memories of Jeff whisking the kids away right after lunch to choose a surprise for me.
As I remember these moments, I can almost hear the footsteps on the front porch. The giant grins and my gasp.
Arms full of flower baskets.
Thao loved flowers and giving.
I would proudly hang my baskets overflowing on our front porch. It truly was the prettiest thing in my front yard. And I'd hope to keep them alive, try to remember to water them, but certainly smile every time someone commented on how pretty they were. My boys (and then later Ava) always did a great job choosing flowers for me.
For the past 3 years, I have been the one to purchase flowers. I now spend Mother's Day morning placing flowers on the grave of the son who once proudly showered me with gifts. Things change in an instant. Life shatters, pieces get put haphazardly back together. And it's never the same.
I look back with joy. It's truly a blessing that I set time aside to be still with my family.
I cherish the moments I have now, full of the Lord's goodness. He sustains me.
And I hope for the future. His promise to never leave me, His abundant love and grace covers whatever may come my way.
As Mother's Day draws near, I am found reflecting on the day. It's a day of rest. A day of quiet. I typically set it aside. I don't fill it up, I just want to be near my family. It's really always been that way. It often goes like this:
-Church
-Lunch (usually fried chicken because it's really my favorite and I don't have to cook or feel guilty for not feeding my family healthy food. It's my day, ya'll)
-Rest
I look back on fond memories of Jeff whisking the kids away right after lunch to choose a surprise for me.
As I remember these moments, I can almost hear the footsteps on the front porch. The giant grins and my gasp.
Arms full of flower baskets.
Thao loved flowers and giving.
For the past 3 years, I have been the one to purchase flowers. I now spend Mother's Day morning placing flowers on the grave of the son who once proudly showered me with gifts. Things change in an instant. Life shatters, pieces get put haphazardly back together. And it's never the same.
I look back with joy. It's truly a blessing that I set time aside to be still with my family.
I cherish the moments I have now, full of the Lord's goodness. He sustains me.
And I hope for the future. His promise to never leave me, His abundant love and grace covers whatever may come my way.