Mom, I sit here and watch you always taking care of everyone. You have so much love to spread around. You cook for the armies which are our family. You welcome all of them into your home no matter how much room you don’t have. You are there at every special occasion no matter what it takes. You plan parties just to be sure everyone gets together every once in a while. You would do anything you could for your family; your children, grandchildren, nieces, nephews, siblings, friends. You care about each and every one of us. You are the matriarch of this whole big bunch. You want more than anything to pass on your love of family TO your family. You have a legacy Mom! A legacy of family!
I have seen you lose so much Mom. I’ve watched you lose your parents, siblings, cousins, friends, and even a child. You have endured unimaginable pain, hurt, and suffering with grace. You hurt every now and then and you’re tired. Sometimes you don’t want to go on anymore. Sometimes you don’t know how to go on anymore. Sometimes pain and fear are just too much to bear. But you find a way to go on because you are needed and because you care, you are compassionate and kind-hearted, and because you’re strong. You have a legacy Mom! A legacy of strength!
I’ve seen you crushed Mom. I’ve seen the pain in your eyes. I’ve seen the hurt that having children has caused you. When they hurt, you hurt. When they suffer, you suffer. When they weep, you weep. You are their whipping post and you take it. You take it with a smile on your face, a tear in your eye, and a pain in your heart. But you are their safe place Mom. You are their home. You take the aching in your heart because you know someone has to. You put up with their selfishness and you never turn your back. You never turn away because you love. You love with everything you have in you. You want more than anything for them to find their way and be full of joy. When they love, you love. When they are happy, you are happy. When they celebrate, you celebrate. You have a legacy Mom! A legacy of motherhood.
I’ve seen you fight Mom. I’ve seen you fight for what you think is right. For your family. For your dreams. For your hopes. I’ve seen you fight to keep your marriage together. To keep your family together. I’ve even seen you fight to keep yourself together. You are strong and powerful. You have loved when it would have been easier not to. You have remained strong when you have wanted to be weak. You have kept going when it would have been easier to quit. You have forgiven when it would have been easier to hold a grudge. You have never given up! You have a legacy Mom! A legacy of perseverance!
I have seen the way you love Mom! The way you love everyone with all your heart. The way you pour your heart and soul into everything you do. You have a light inside. You have passion. You have fire. You love to love. I have seen you love those who have taken advantage of you. I have seen you love those who have hurt you. I have seen you love those that need you. I have seen you love those who don’t deserve you. I’ve seen you love those who love you. I’ve seen you love when it’s easy and I’ve seen you love when it’s hard. And most of all I’ve seen you love me! You have a legacy Mom! A legacy of love!
Remember these things Mom. You have touched so many people with your kindness, love, acceptance, compassion, your whole being. You have lived a life to be proud of. So be proud. You’ve carried out your responsibility as a woman, friend, wife, sister, and mother. So let someone else be responsible every once in a while. For the rest of your days live a life you love and love your life. Don’t be so concerned with what everyone else is doing or how they are living their lives, we will all learn and become wiser as we grow older and gain experience. Have faith that God has a plan, He is in control! It’s not your responsibility to take care of everyone else, they should be taking care of you. Live your life the way you want to! And just remember… you already have a legacy! You are my mom!
Jeremiah 29:11-14 – “For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope. In those days when you pray, I will listen. If you look for me in earnest, you will find me when you seek me. I will be found by you,” says the Lord…
Ephesians 6:1-3 – Children, obey your parents in the Lord, because this is right. Honor your father and mother which is the first commandment with a promise – that it may go well with you and that you may have a long life.
Isaiah 66:13 – As one whom his mother comforts, so I will comfort you.
Proverbs 31:2 – Her children rise up and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her.
Exodus 21:12 – Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long in the land that they Lord your God is giving you.
disastrouslyredeemed 
Aunt Diane must be so proud of this blog you wrote. Your love comes through loud and clear. You are both very blessed. I agree with everything you said I love you both.
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Keri what a honor you give to your mom with your kind words! Oh how I love her also, my big sister!!
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