I am proud to say I had the best Mom in the world. Many say it, but I truly believe it and know that without a doubt, my sister would agree. I have many aunts, family friends and mentor figures who are incredible moms and motherly figures in my life… and I count myself as blessed to have them… but it’s just never going to compare to my mom.

My Mom exemplified everything a Mom could ever be. Here’s why.

She would apologize. Let me first clarify that she was by no means the only one to ever apologize after an argument. I’d even say 95% of the time, it was most certainly me who’d recognize the wrong and need to apologize… but what mattered was that she taught us (my sister and I) that even she, “the mom” was not above apologizing if she felt she’d crossed the line. Our hurt just wasn’t worth being “right.” She taught us that no matter what the intention may have been, if you hurt someone, you have to apologize. She taught us that no one is above anyone else when it comes to real hurt, not even mother over child. She was humble.

She taught us that no one is above anyone else when it comes to real hurt, not even mother over child.

She poured her whole self into us. She grew up as the youngest of three and had a childhood that eventually fueled the reason why she poured herself into loving us as greatly as she did. There was never a single moment (even in the midst of those fights between us) that myself or my sister could have questioned her love for us and devotion to us. I remember her showing us how to nurture and raise an orphaned Mockingbird. I remember her singing us our special songs at bedtime no matter how tired she probably was. I remember her always, ALWAYS coming in to kiss us goodnight even if we were already half asleep. She never missed a chance to remind us how she felt about us: “You are treasured, you are cherished and you are loved.” She was love.

“You are treasured, you are cherished and you are loved.”

She found ways to connect. My mom found ways to connect on a deeper level with both my sister and myself. With me, that connection was art. From a very young age, she taught me how to color and encouraged me to explore new techniques as I got older. She was my support through art school who I didn’t have to explain an art project to. I’d say I was working with India Ink and that the point was to learn to shade “backwards” and she just got it… unlike Dad, who (no offense, Dad) I had to explain things to in a bit more detail. And with my sister, there’s probably other ways she might remember, of course, but I remember them connecting when it came to silly poems and writing. Ironically, though I’m now the one with a blog, my sister was always the writer of the family and she and Mom would have countless jokes that either originated from “Runny Babbit” or from their own creative minds – I remember them laughing together and dad and I just looking at each other completely clueless as to what was so funny… but what mattered was their laughter. She was the glue of our family.

… but what mattered was their laughter.

She was an example of Jesus’ love for others. If I didn’t have my mom as an example to learn from, I honestly don’t know how many fights I’d have gotten into, or words I’d have said that I’d later wish I could take back. She was a perfect example of turning the other cheek. She’d get beaten down and rise up stronger the next day. She’d get slandered and would organize an entire gift basket for the one who mistreated her the most. She would have so much of her own pain and still ask only for others’ prayer requests and fervently pray for their healing. She was an example of Godly love.

Though her life here on Earth may have ended, she left behind enough of a legacy to last multiple lifetimes

This list could surely go on, but on the eve of Mother’s Day through a blur of tears, I have to end here. Though her life here on Earth may have ended, she left behind enough of a legacy to last multiple lifetimes – at least as many as my Dad, my sister and I can all carry on through the telling of these types of stories, these kinds of memories, and these various of examples of how to live well.

Love you, Mom, Happy Mother’s Day.

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