After a slow four-year decline, we lost my Dad last fall–the hardest day of my life. Upon retirement, Mom and Dad traveled the globe, never tiring of adventure and viewing the beauty of worlds unknown.
Mom, still in great shape, mourned their inevitable grounding and then the loss of the man she loved for over sixty years. So in my desire to give her something to look forward to, I told her I would take her anywhere she wanted to go.
Her first response– “Can we go to Branson?”
With a chuckle I acquiesced but said, “I was thinking much farther away. Was there somewhere you’ve not been or wanted to see more of?”
Upon reflection, Mom shared they always meant to see Normandy and just never made it. “And we only saw Paris from a bus during one of our cruise tours.”
Paris being one of my favorite cities in the world, and her tragic comment about her experiece there sealed the deal. I never turn down a chance to visit Paris and couldn’t wait to show her it’s charms.
A river cruise brouchere just happened to be perched on her mail pile near my elbow. As we perused it, we found the perfect trip–Paris to Normandy on a small ship up the Seine river. Finding one room left on our desired dates, we booked it. And six months later, it proved to be a most wonderful time with just me and my Momma.
Being one of the oldest on the ship didn’t faze her a bit. In fact she hiked with the best of us. Walking miles through Versailles and even out-pacing many younger, but with hip and knee problems who declined to walk up the steep paths and inclines of castles and other treasure troves.
Knee-deep in raising kids, living in different cities, and sometimes different states, I didn’t get to spend as much time with my folks as I would have wished. But this unexpected gift of time alone with just her, will always be a cherished memory.
And I have a great mom who gave me much grace, loved me unconditionally and truly believed I could do anything. She created in me a love of God, of life, of adventure, and an insatiable quest for knowledge of the world around me.
Being a mom remains the hardest, the most angst induced, and yet the most rewarding job on the planet. It’s easy to be critical of our own mothers—until we become one ourselves–and you realize your own mother loved you fiercely and
Did the best she could.
The best she knew how.
The real truth of the matter is— we will never have perfect kids because we will never be perfect parents. Period. But we must embrace this grace—we may be a mess, but we can still be a good mom. We are allowed to be both.
A mother’s hands are never still.
A mother’s feet may never rest.
A mother’s lips issue kisses and caution.
A mother’s arms wrap comfort long.
A mother’s love knows no bounds.
Behind her assured facade, she fumbles
And fears she is not enough.
She worries her many mistakes are damaging.
And walks overwhelmed with raising confident, competent, Godly children.
But in her heart, she knows no one on earth loves deep, and gives grace more than she does.
And trusts somehow, someway, her prayers will sustain them all.
****************
So we roll out of bed every day and begin again,
Doing the best we can,
The best we know how.
And as you grasp for footing in the cray-cray role of mothering, go to the great encourager. He lifts you up when motherhood skins your knees and flattens you.
So give grace to them and also to yourself for your imperfections. And remember this quote true:
Mothers hold their children’s hands for a short while,
but their hearts forever.
“Her children rise up and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her: ‘Many women have done excellently, but you surpass them all.”
Proverbs 31:28-29
Thank you, Mom. Where to for our next great adventure??
Loree – This is beautiful. What an adventure you and your momma had together. So glad for you both.
Oh Kate thank you. You are always such an encourager. It was the most precious time with her. What a blessing to be able to travel the world with her while she is able. And she can still run circles around me.