Mother's day has always been a special day in my life. Getting my Mum a special gift, doing special things for her around the house, handing her a flower at church, dressing up pretty and going out to lunch with her and my grandmothers. What precious memories!
Mother's day now is for me too! Technically this is my second Mother's day, but it really feels like my first. Last year I had a very tiny baby, just over a month old, I was exhausted, overwhelmed and much more emotional than normal. :) This year, I've been a Mother for a year! Cared for my son every day no matter how I felt or the circumstance. I did it!! What a feeling! I feel accomplished, proud, honored and humbled to have had this experience and I look forward to the years to come that I get to witness first hand the growth and development of my little boy.
The more time I am actually a Mother, the more I realize and understand Motherhood and more importantly, my Mother more. I'm learning that Motherhood is many things, but it is ultimately sacrifice and selfless. For some it is an obligation, a sense of duty. I see it as an opportunity and I find joy in my role as a Mother.
I can't take the credit for this... I've had help (other than my husband of course). I come from a line of loving, providing, nurturing, caring and sacrificial Mothers. I have had some of the best role models in my life to look up to and mimic in my own Mothering journey. I thank God for my Great-Grandma Mary who we often reference as the 'pioneer' of the family. Mother of 4 exceptionally special women, who has seen and done so much and watched the world change in her 80 years. She is the first lady on my Mother's side that I have a memory of - and special memories at that! I was a fortunate little great-grand-daughter who got to spend lots and lots of time with Grampa and Gramma P! Some of my best memories are of them. I thank you Gramma for being a wonderful Mother, Grand-mother, Great-grandmother and now great-great grandmother - you are a tough cookie and I admire your heart and hope to love like you someday!
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| Mother's Day 2010 |
Next in line are my Grandmothers - both of which I spent countless hours with growing up as well. Gramma Swazey was and is my sewing, gardening, hardworking, cooking, cleaning, energetic and fun-loving Gramma! (Gramma Dynamite). Sleep overs at her home with my cousins, Christmas cooking days, walks in Rowena, and hearing you and Grampa sing are my favorite memories! Thank you for being a Christ-like model to watch as I grew up into the lady that I attempt daily to be. You are everything that a little girl could have asked for in a Gramma!
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| Grandpa and Gramma Swazey holding Brogan 2012 (Photo by Captured) |
Gramma Finnamore was/is more like a mother to me (why not have more than one, right)! (Gramma Money-bags) ;) I think I spent more time with her than I did my parents, some weeks. Movies out, special shopping trips, teaching me to drive from the passenger seat, special lunch dates, taking care of me when I was sick and countless hours spent just hanging out. Thank you for everything you have done for me and continue to do. You have a giving heart and it's taught me how to treat people. I admire you and consider you a strong woman that I am so blessed to have in my life!
Mum. Where do I even begin? Mum's often get the label the 'bad guy' since you have to enforce rules and discipline (when Grammas get to have all the fun)! This probably is true for my Mum, at least when I was young. Mum, THANK YOU for being the 'bad guy' and loving and caring for me enough to teach me right from wrong. Thank you for loving me through all my attitude flares, mess ups and mistakes. You have been a wonderful example of how to love and I hope to love my baby (maybe someday babies) as you loved me and be their 'bag guy' too!! :) I'm so thankful to have you as my Mother, and now to call you my friend.
I would not be who I am today if it were not for these Mothers. Thank you all for loving me as you did - I cherish my memories of you and thank God for each of you.
Happy Mother's Day to all.
