Mothers Day without Mom

Founder’s note. I kinda resisted writing this piece, however I knew words needed to be written because I am not the only one who is walking through this. So here they are. I pray they encourage and remind you of the incredible woman that your mother is. – Kymberly Janelle-

 

Mothers Day is hard. But not for the reasons you may think.

You see, my mom passed away in 2013. So when I see all the ads for Mothers Day there’s apart of me that is reminded that Mother’s Day is coming up because truth be told, I kinda forgot. As Mother’s Day draws closer I start hearing and seeing more ads for what mom’s really want. I see people choosing for a day to cut mom some slack and give her a bit of what she deserves. That is when the pain hits me. I wish I had more time to give my mom what she deserves. My mom was selfless to the day she died. She would apologize for us having to take care of her, she would make sure that every stranger that walked out of the house was given something to leave with. Mother’s Day for alot of people is a time they get teary eyed as they realize and remember all the sacrifices mom did so that they could be alive.

I am very sensitive to mother-daughter relationships around me. It is VERY HARD when I hear girls and women talk about their mom or talk to their mom in a negative tone.

First off because they are another human.

Second, because they are their elder- their mother.

And thirdly because they are the very ones that sacrificed their lives for your own.

 

My heart breaks for those who do not know the treasure that their mom is.

 

Moms are extraordinary if you didn’t already know. From the moment you were conceived they allowed their body to be stretched and molded in ways they wouldn’t normally. They allowed themselves to be put through the most intense pain a human could willingly feel. Then they looked after you. Even if your mom wasn’t perfect, which no mom is. They were more than likely there to make sure you had clothes on your back and food in your belly. Most of times before they ever did the same for themselves. A mothers love is sacrificial. We forget this alot. I know I forgot it alot as a teenager. I back-talked my mom, I didn’t think that what she was saying was valid. Once I got into my twenties though I realized. Mom kinda does know best. Not all the time, but alot of the time. My mom’s heart towards me is love and life. That is what we need to focus on even when she is giving advice we may not want to hear, or when she is telling you what you’re doing is not life giving.

For those with moms still living my prayer for you this weekend is that you would use this opportunity as a launching off point to honor your mother. To open your heart to her, not just this weekend but each and every weekend. That you would tell her thank you, that you would smile that big smile that brings  joy to her heart. She loved seeing you smile as a baby, and she still love seeing it today. My prayer for you is that you would see the sacrificial love that your mom has given you and you would return it. I do not have my mom here to do that anymore with, but let me tell you it is the greatest joy I encountered in my relationship with my mom. Honoring her and loving her to the best that I know how. Her dying days I was there with her taking care of her. I flew halfway across the country, took a month off work and took care of her every need. Her needs while in hospice care were great. They were inconvenient, they were terrifying, they were life threatening. That’s just what love does though. It is what she did for me. Over and over and over again.

I hope you never have to experience what I experienced in losing my mom so early in life. It wasn’t her time. However the Lord is working out GOOD THINGS in my life and the lives of my family members and that is beautiful. Yes, I wish she were here. I wish I could collapse in her arms and cry and cry and cry until I had no more tears left to tell her how much I love her and how thankful I am for all that she did for me.

Moms do without asking.

We should too. Not just towards moms, but towards all those around us. Honor. Respect. Love everyone we encounter.