Greatest Gift

Dear Mom-

This is what I remember...

Bedtime stories read, every night. Tucked in safe, words sung sweet.

Church, lined up in a row. Your lap filled, hands held warm.

Teenage tears, you never let go. you never let go.

swim meets, head under water, hands touch wall, your voice cheering..the loudest and proudest.

camping trips, you holding daddy's hand

italian songs and homemade italian sauce, served with love

you, at the sink, hiding tears, a 3 hour drive to my new world, college. my brave mama, letting go.

your words, simple words that kept me calm all through labor as i braved the new and unknown. motherhood wasn't so scary with my mama there. i felt safe. after all- hadn't you taught me so much without having to say anything at all?

lots and lots of tears and you at the other end of the phone line...always listening...always there.

you have always been there. and that is the greatest gift you could have given me. your time. i wanted to be a mother because of you. because you have always made me feel so incredibly loved.

patience. love. encouragement. grace. determination. loyalty. friendship. hope. courage. peace.

you gifted me by showing me through your love.

and you continue to give me the greatest gift, by being my mother...

i love you mom. thank you, for always being here for me and for always believing in me...even when i had a hard time believing in myself.

i love you always.

you've blessed me in more ways than i can even count...and because of your blessings, you're blessing someone else, a a mother in Haiti will be honored through a Maternity/Child Survival program for an entire year. I've linked up with Ann for the 1000 moms project and I'm sharing your gifts. Your blessings. I love you mom!

Link up here and honor your mama today :)