Her children arise and call her blessed;
her husband also, and he praises her (Proverbs 31: 28 NIV).

Yup. That’s my mom. This Sunday is Mother’s Day and I would be remiss if I didn’t say something about mothers! As I mentioned a few weeks ago, my siblings and I are remembering our past. (See https://shirleymozena.com/spiritual-reflections/spiritual-reflections-2.) The timing for these reflections is perfect for such a time as this. I can say each of my mother’s children would arise and “call her blessed”. She was a jewel. Not perfect by any means. Each of her children would say that. But she was definitely a Proverbs 31 woman!

Mom is gone from this earth now and in heaven. I wish I could have one more chance to thank her for all she did for me during my lifetime. My mother was a treasure! The photo below, shows a woman in her eighties.

But I also remember a much younger woman. I can see her delicate princess-like hands–with long tapered fingers. I remember seeing her work hard bent over, picking strawberries to earn extra money to purchase a much needed clothes dryer. I saw  her telling  a story to me and other children, listening with rapt attention. I saw her drawing capably in front of an audience of people at church, school, or Bible school. I saw her bent over the sewing machine sewing something for me last minute because I needed something new to wear. I also saw her praying in her bedroom, kneeling by her bed.

She was capable. She was intelligent. A gifted woman whom I was blessed to have for a mother.

I wonder if she had doubts like I did raising my own children. I’ll never forget when my son Todd–and firstborn–was born. It was time for us to leave the hospital and the nurse brought him into the room, laid him on the bed and said, “OK, it’s time to dress your baby and take him home.” I was so scared I might break him! I fumbled as I dressed him, wrapping him tightly in the blankets I’d brought for my baby. I picked him up and he felt just right in my arms. I was the only mother he’d know. God put him in my life for me to care for and love. To guide and discipline. I didn’t do it right all the time. There are scenes in my mind where I could have done things differently. I am so grateful the example my mother was to me.  To have a chance to mother my own two.

If your mother is still living, please take the time to enjoy her. To thank her. I wish I could do that for my mama. Yet I know one day, I will be able to. We’ll have forever…..

Pink flowers to honor my mother, who loved pink. May you be blessed this Mother’s Day.