Mothers Day

Today marks the one year anniversary of my husband's mother's death. Upon her death I became the matriarch of the family. I really thought about that a long time. I came to the conclusion that I simply could not replace such a woman. She was fiercely independent, and yet was a wife of submission. She was a radical woman. She was a stubborn creature! She loved her family with the love of Christ and the heart of a lion. She would do anything in her power to make sure you knew you were loved.
I miss her today especially. She loved sitting on my back porch in a wheel chair, watching kids and grand kids play and laugh. It was one of her greatest joys to be called Granny.
She often introduced me as her daughter because she never thought of me as a daughter-in-law. It was an honor I never took lightly for 45 years.
As I sit on my back porch this morning thinking back over the years of my life I am reminded that first I was a daughter, then a daughter-in-law, then a mom, then a Meme, then a great Meme and wonder what has been my favorite gift from my children. And it is in fact a gift from my mother-in-law. It was that look in her eyes one day as she sat on my back porch in her wheel chair. That look that I would finally grasp the truth and depth of.  She would call each child by name, making sure she had eye contact, and tell them she loved them. As the days past as she no longer could use words, I still saw that look in her eyes, love and pride for her family. The greatest gift to her was her family.
Yes, the packages with ribbons and bows are nice but to know your children are people of character, people who belong to Christ, people who share their heritage with their own children..........that is the best gift of all.
Happy Mother's Day.