Home Is Where Your Mama Is

Yep...She's still Mama to me! Not Mother, Mom, Ma, etc. I'm Southern and proud to be. So, she's Mama even all these decades later. I love the sound of the name. The way it's soft sounds hits your ears. I love the feel of it as it leaves your lips, and I love the way your heart warms when you say it. I especially love that I have been a part of the ranks of Mama's for a couple decades now. There's no greater calling, I am certain.

My precious Mama's birthday is on Easter. This is totally appropriate for me. This is the day when I celebrate my love for the two most influential people in my life: Mama and Jesus! Both have loved me unconditionally and fiercely! I can rest completely in their arms and know that I am "home"!! I have many sweet memories of my Mama. She was raised by a single mom who was a Mountain Woman in every sense of the word (can't wait to blog about her). Mama survived cancer, overcame infertility (and survived twins...yep me and Troy), raised three grateful children, has been a daily example to me of what a devoted wife should be, and has become one of the most amazing grandmas and great grandmas that I know. She's the toughest most gentle woman I've ever had the privilege of knowing. I am honored to be a part of her.

Some of my most favorite memories of Mama revolve around afternoon walks together to look at nature. She was so articulate as we talked and walked. Her voice was so soothing. I loved how she would tell me stories as we walked. These stories tended to linger on until bedtime--all due to my incessant persisting. Now I know how tired she must have been, but I never felt anything but love back then. I am certain these experiences have shaped my love for nature, my love for the spoken word and my auditory learning style.

My favorite memories are of watching her on Sunday mornings. She smelled so good...like muffins, butter, soap, and perfume. I can still almost smell the sweet, clean, soundness of this aroma! I loved watching her as she finished studying and preparing to teach her Sunday school class. She always glowed as she studied God's Word. Throughout her Sunday morning ritual, her nails and hair were becoming perfect as she let both of them dry under her hair dryer! She applied her make-up so perfectly (only adding to her intoxicating aroma was the smell of ladies' compressed powder). She was beautiful, elegant, smart, feminine...and being observed by a very watchful eye! She never knew that I was taking it all in or how much these memories would impact me to this day...or how I would LOVE to go back and relive them once more!

I love you so much, Mama! Happy Birthday! I thank God every day that He left you with us for awhile longer. I thank you for teaching me how to love this God of yours and showing me how awesome He is, and I thank you for showing us what it means to be a Godly wife, mother and woman. You've set the bar high...and we love you for it!

Mother Poem

A mother looks back fondly on raising her child and she wants that child to know it was always a privilege to be a mom.

Thoughts Of You

© Paula Stone

Memories of another time still come
To me and fill my mind, with thoughts
Of you when you were young. I lie awake
‘Till the morning sun comes creeping
Through my window shade, as I dwell upon
Mistakes I've made. What I would give to
Go back in time and feel you’re little
Hand in mine. To cherish each fast and
Fleeting day. To hold you close and kiss
Away, each pain that life will have in
Store and try to give you so much more.
You are part and will always be, imbedded in the soul of me. While I'm
Here, I want to say, that I've loved you
Each and every day and when my time on
Earth is gone.
The privilege was mine to have been your Mom.

Source: Memories Of Being Your Mom, Thoughts Of You, Mother Poem http://www.familyfriendpoems.com/poem/memories-of-being-your-mom-thoughts-of-you#ixzz2OvboEAwT 
www.FamilyFriendPoems.com