There’s this woman I know. You would love to meet her too, I know you would. She really is like no one else I know.
You see, if you knew the pain she has been through, the heartache she still carries, you would not expect her to love so unconditionally and deeply. Some women with that kind of pain become bitter and hurt others. Not her.
If you knew the losses she has experienced you wouldn’t expect her to give so freely. I mean, ‘give you the shirt of her back’, kind of giving. Women who have lost that much can often times hold on to what they have with a fervency like no other. Not her.
If you knew the betrayal she has lived through you wouldn’t expect her to forgive and trust with wild abandon. Women who have been through that kind of betrayal tend to refuse to forgive and never trust. Not her.
If you knew the mistakes she has made you wouldn’t expect her to say, ‘yes, you are right, I did that, I am sorry.’ You might expect her to make excuses, to defend and blame. Not her.
This woman, she loves, I mean, really, really loves. She loves when her daughter gets pregnant out of wedlock. She takes her in, loves on her, does everything she can to take away the shame. Even when that daughter turned her back on her just a few years earlier.
This woman, she prays and prays. She is there for her daughter for anything she has EVER needed. Even when that daughter has no clue what a treasure her mother is.
This woman, she has babysat countless times. She has sent her daughter and husband away on weekends and honeymoons and stayed with the children. Often times, she paid for the time way too.
This woman, she loves her grandkids with a fierce kind of love. I mean fierce! Not the, ‘oh, look at pictures of my grandkids’, kind of love. No, I mean the chase them around the house, tickle them, play cards and color with them, make ice cream floats with them, kind of love.
This woman was born 70 years ago today. She is a treasure, I’m telling you, you would LOVE to meet her. I’ve known her my whole life. You see, nearly 47 years ago she became my mom.
Let me introduce you to Norma Jean, my mom.
Happy Birthday, Mom! I love you so much and am so proud of who you are. Thank you for loving me.
I just got chills! Happy birthday to your sweet Mom. :)
ReplyDeleteNot surprising; it took a special woman to raise a very special daughter. What a gift you both are to all who are blessed by your presence in their lives. Happy Birthday, Norma Jean!
ReplyDeleteI can also testify to this....cause I have met your precious mom!
ReplyDeleteWhat a testimony to what God can do!!!!
You are really blessed.
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful way to celebrate your sweet momma's birthday, Michelle! Do you ever stop and wonder if you could ever love your mom more than she loves you? I do with my mom. :) Do they really really know how deeply they are loved....? ♥ Bless you, sweetie. You are the best daughter. :)
ReplyDeletexoxo laurie
What a precious mother you have! I hope she had a lovely birthday.
ReplyDeleteMy mom was that kind of mom too...and was always there for me. That is, until she got ill and spent many years in a nursing facility before she passed away.
Because of her loving example...I have always tried to be there for my three girls...and now for their kids too.
I think God has wonderful plans...and I love how He works them out for us because of His faithfulness...even we we are undeserving. Praising God for your mom and mine tonight! :)
Such a beautiful tribute to your Mom, brought a tear to my eye. I wish mine was still here to read it.
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