Jen’s Gem: A mother is a gift from God.

Happy Mother’s Day to all of my Elevate the Day Moms! My hat is off to those who have young children and have navigated the last year or so with its many challenges. You are true warriors! While I had to deal with “college on, college off” scenarios, my role was simply to pack, unpack, and pack up again. Physically challenging, but pales in comparison to my younger compadres.

Thirteen years ago, I celebrated my Mom’s last Mother’s Day. I didn’t know it at the time of course. I naively thought the doctors were wrong and that the cancer would just go away miraculously. I was mistaken.

I recall the last time I spoke to her as if it were yesterday. She could no longer speak but somewhere inside I knew she could hear and understand me. I told her the kids and I would be home in a few days. Of course I told her I loved her, praying I would hear it repeated back to me. 

I did see her a few days later yet it was not the scenario I’d hoped for. She was no longer in pain. She was no longer sick. Her absence is still felt in my family. She was the glue, sometimes the Gorilla Glue that was kept us together. Family gatherings at the holidays were her signature “Mom moments” that are emblazoned in my memory.

My Mom’s heart was as big as the moon. Her hugs would make your worst day ever seem like a walk in the park. She always put others first and made everyone feel special. She loved her family. She reveled in her grandchildren and would’ve been overjoyed with her great grandchildren.

She had the patience of a saint, which I’m sure was cultivated raising six children. Yes. Six. She was calm under pressure and you never saw her sweat. She left home in her teens and a handful of years later met my father in Charleston, South Carolina. She was a hat check girl at the hotel where his band was performing.

Upon seeing her, he exclaimed, “That’s the girl I’m going to marry!” I’m glad he did.

God chose these two people to be my parents. They were not perfect nor is any parent for that matter. We all come with baggage, trying to right the wrongs from our childhoods with our own offspring. The Bible tells us that we are to honor our mothers and fathers. In fact, there’s a promise that comes along with this – long life.

“Honor your father and mother,” which is the first commandment with promise: “that it may be well with you and you may live long on the earth.” (Ephesians 6:2-3 NKJV)

I miss my Mom. I miss talking with her. I miss her hugs. I miss her playing with my hair. I miss her words of wisdom, which I wish I could hear right now.

I’m beyond grateful to have been her daughter. From her I learned grace under fire. I learned that your children are your greatest accomplishment. I learned that family is everything. I learned to never give up. I learned that no matter what life throws at you, you can always bounce back. I learned to have faith in God. Thank you Mom!

“Bold power and glorious majesty are wrapped around her as she laughs with joy over the latter days. Her teachings are filled with wisdom and kindness, as loving instruction pours from her lips. She watches over the ways of her household and meets every need they have. Her sons and daughters arise in one accord to extol her virtues, and her husband arises to speak of her in glowing terms.

“There are many valiant and noble ones, but you have ascended above them all!”  Charm can be misleading, and beauty is vain and so quickly fades, but the virtuous woman lives in wonder, awe, and fear of the Lord. She will be praised throughout eternity. So go ahead and give her the credit that is due, for she has become a radiant woman, and all her living works of righteousness deserve to be admired at the gateways of every city!” (Proverbs 31:25-31 The Passion Translation)

Happy Mother’s Day!