Can you celebrate Mother’s day without Mom? It’s really a difficult thing. I never know how I will feel, but most mother’s days I feel a bit blue.
God has done some amazing things in my life to try to redirect my thoughts, for sure….My youngest was born on May 10th…it was the day after Mother’s day, in fact, and is recognized as Mother’s day in Mexico. Even with that special miracle, I often find myself sad.
I think it is ok to be sad sometimes. It is really what I do with that sad that matters. I don’t want to allow myself to become so sad that I cannot get out of it. I want to be with that feeling for a bit, then allow myself to move on and remember a sweet memory of my mom instead.
It’s tough. I have to remember that I am OH SO Grateful for the mom I had for 27 years. I was a lucky girl. My mom was really the neighborhood mom- she loved everyone, every kiddo, all the time. Everyone was welcome and greeted with a hug and a homemade cookie. The warmth that my mom created in my childhood home was undeniable. She was happy, jovial, didn’t care what people thought of her- and she did the hard things….without complaining. Often she would counsel friends, and simply be a friend to many of the women in our neighborhood. Most days, mothers from our street would drop in just to say hi- My mom Always welcomed them in. I remember many piles of laundry folded as she would connect with these women and offer her friendship. Often I would just sit and watch her be a friend. Learning what it meant to really listen to someone. She never tried to fix their issues, but I know that she prayed for them.
My mom was a prayer warrior. Prayer was everything to my mom. Her faith was deep. Her prayer life rich. Her relationship with God…Solid. She shared her faith often and with boldness. Often evangelizing to missionaries that would knock on the door- inviting them in for cookies- listening to what they had to share, then gently adding her beliefs to the conversation. She was bold in her faith. Willing to share it whenever God wanted her to. I have to giggle at this because she was such the unassuming teacher. So many great memories, I am a lucky girl.
If you have lost your mom, I would encourage you to remember the fun times, silly experiences, or her laughter. It may get you down for awhile- but reach forward and grab those great memories back and savor those for a bit longer.
For all of you that didn’t have this kind of Mom, I know Mother’s day is especially hard. Know that you are loved By a GREAT BIG God. He loves you more than a mother ever could. Know that you are thought of every moment of every day. That you are worth far more than rubies, and that you are truly amazing.
We love you!
My Mom, Helen Marlene Bullerdick Yonge
xo,
Shannon & Something to Celebrate
