Mother's Day 2010

You just can't have Mother's Day without thinking about your mother! My own mother has been gone for four years now. My day started off with having my own children sitting next to me in church. I'm not sure I can explain it with words, but when I am surrounded by my children, and especially in church, all is well. No matter what is going on around me, no matter what is going on in my life, everything is still and quiet, I am at peace. It is the most calming feeling I know. Of course, children without a Mr. Wonderful wouldn't be at all the same, but someone had to take the picture! There is no better gift. THAT is the best.


As I sat there with my own children, I couldn't help but think about mom's last time in church. It was Christmas Eve, and she had all of her children together for the day, then three out of the five of us were with her at the Christmas Eve service. She was gone from this world just three weeks later, and I know she knew that her time was near, even that night. What were her thoughts? Did she find comfort and complete peace just having us with her that night? We missed the photo of us together, but it's in my head! When I was in Arizona in January of 2009, there were four of the five of us together at my brother's church. That was a pretty meaningful thing too, because my oldest sister was able to be there, even tho her health has not been good for a while now.
I realize that church is not the normal place for family portraits, but I am sure that these photos are my favorites. These things seem like small things, but when kids grow up and have their own lives, and when siblings are strung all over the United States, it doesn't always happen so easily! I'm very thankful for a mother that taught me the importance of worship with a body of believers, and also thankful for being surrounded by family today! We all went to lunch at Carrabba's (including the adopted child, Steve) and then came home to open presents. It has been a wonderful day! God has blessed me SO much and I am VERY thankful! Years ago, mom gave me a little plaque that says "The BEST things in life aren't things at all". That pretty much sums up how I feel today!