Our kids invited us over for pizza at the lake on Friday night.
I was blessed with togetherness ... the sound of laughter, beautiful smiles,
heaps of homemade cards and flower bouquets.
Then today, I'm not sure what happened but, I just have to say ...
I missed my mom ... with tears flowing for all the moments that I wish I could hug her for!
Going down memory lane of the Mother's Days we've shared with her,
strangely makes me aware of the seasons played out even in relationships.
I remember Mother's Day as a child, when the focus was on a special program at church.
Verses and songs were memorized. Each mother got a flower.
Mothers also cooked the family dinner.
As I child I never imagined any other way.
In later years, my dad took the whole family, including the grandchildren,
out for a Mother's Day lunch.
A splurge he never indulged in when we were young.
It was truly our summer season as an extended family.
There were the years mom and I would plant flowers on this weekend ...
for always now reminding me of her love for flower pots.
One year on Mother's Day weekend she flew down to Phoenix with me for a four generation visit.
Another Mother's Day was celebrated in a most unique way with her engagement to Abe.
My memory lane of actual photos has many of more recent years,
when we realized that we were entering a new season.
We took a photo on the bridge in 2015 and I noticed there was something different.
She grabbed my hand in a way that was unusual and, as sweet as it sounds,
I felt an inexplicable change about her.
We began to spend a lot more time together,
just to enjoy time around the table and listenting to her stories.
Two years ago, on Mother's Day was the first time I fed her.
One year ago, I brought her a large bouquet of flowers, because I could.
This year she's been behind locked doors for two months. No one has ventured to explain to her the reason for the changes ... and I wonder what she wonders when she cannot ask? It pains me not to be able imagine what's on her mind and heart ... in this her winter. A time when the warmth of presence and touch to communicate have all but been taken as well.
What I have come to know is, that no matter how long we have our loved ones with us, it will never be long enough. Going back to Ecclesiastes where my blog theme comes from, there is a verse that says,
"He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the human heart; yet no one can fathom what God has done from beginning to end." Ecclesiastes 3:11
Is this why we do not want to say goodbye? Is this longing for life something in our very being, put there by the One who made us? It's a mystery we may not understand until that day when everything will be made right by the one who also holds eternity in His hands.
I pray that God speaks to her and blesses her in ways we cannot imagine, strengthening her in her inner being with sweet dreams and truths about the now and the not yet. Until then, I love you, Mom.
♡♡♡
9 comments:
I believe with all my heart that He does speak to those we're no longer able to communicate with in the usual way. My friend's dad used to sit and hold his Bible day after day, thumbing through it to verses he'd marked years ago, when he was beyond reading or even sharing the verse verbally. That has to be the hand of God. It comforts me to know that "God is always with us" is a promise I've seen and I have confidence in it. Thanks for sharing such a loving post.
Anneliese this is such a beautiful, moving post. I don't know if your Mom is near a window that she could see out in her care home. Perhaps you could go outside & plant a small planter & she could watch you. Or when you are able to visit, do a small planter with a grandchild. A perennial would be nice as it could be transplanted once it gets bigger. Just a thought.
Your Mom has much to look forward to. The best is yet to come.
But as it is written:
“Eye has not seen, nor ear heard,
Nor have entered into the heart of man
The things which God has prepared for those who love Him.”
~I Corinthians 2:9 (NKJV)~
Blessings to you, your dear Mother & family.
-Sharon
Beautiful thoughts about your dear mom on Mother's Day. So sorry for this weird time we are experiencing. Some day we might know why...
Oh Anneliese, I don't even have words to tell you how beautiful this post is of your dear mom. All I know is that there is a huge lump in my throat and the tears are flowing. Your faith is so strong and your words are so kind and touching. Thank you for sharing this!
Such a beautiful post! One cannot help but be touched. May God be your mom's comfort and strength in this season of her life! Hugs to you.:)
Lovely words from your heart that reflect your deep love for your mom. I hope that she senses that, and the love of her Lord, from her home. These are difficult times to be apart.
Beautifully written Anneliese.
Prayers for you and your Dear Mum.
Audrey.
Thank you to each one of you for your words of assurance, your prayers and thoughts.
May God bless you each where you are at with your mom ... either missing her or knowing the time here is short. I'm so thankful for the hope we have.
A beautiful and touching post, seems like tears are right on the edge for so many of us right now. I do wish you could see your mother, it's so hard right now with all of these restrictions, but especially for loved ones in nursing homes. It was weird to see my mom but not hug her on mother's day. And it was weird to not have both my boys with me in person on mother's day, Isaac was in Mississippi. But you have helped me to understand and accept the seasons we go through in our lives. I'm always grateful for your encouragement with that. Love to you!
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