Yesterday, my to-do list was long. I had girls coming over for dessert + apps last night, a press release to write and another very-important shower approaching this weekend. Oh, and a toddler who’s getting her molars.
So naturally, it was the perfect time to stop and think critically about this curious little decoration in Emerson’s nursery.
Note: I am a horrible person. This darling little ceramic owl bursting with unopened, ribbon-tied scrolls was from my baby shower. In February 2013.
And the scrolls were significant. My real sister, Heather, and soul sister, Lauren, instructed shower guests to write down one of their favorite childhood memories of their own mother—a specific way in which she made them feel loved.
Honestly, what a spectacular and touching way to give a terrified, clueless mommy-to-be an abundance of beautiful ideas for loving her daughter. Again, I am wretched for having not yet opened them.
But, I have a love-hate relationship with opening presents. I freak out with excitement and wait, and wait, and wait, and wait, until UNTIE, TEAR, BAM, it’s over forever!
It’s quite possible I love the anticipation more than I actually love gifts.
Not this time.
With a million other tasks to accomplish and even more toys to pick up, I sat cross-legged in Emerson’s nursery while she wobbled around, played like crazy and climbed all over me. As I opened the scrolls one by one, my heart melted pretty much everywhere.
Each of these lovely notes represented an older, wiser mom out there who has felt my deep love, cried my same tears, walked through my challenges, and perhaps most significantly, poured herself passionately into a young woman who has changed my life forever. These were the ways in which some of the BEST ladies I’ve ever known were loved as little girls dreaming of castles.
How did their mothers do it? How did they rear such confident, caring women, secure in themselves, committed to God, funny, loyal and driven?
I’m so proud to share these 15 gems, real women in praise of real mamas:
Every day, my mom would tell me I looked pretty. It always made me feel beautiful.
— Allison S.
Every night before bed, my mom would pray with me and sing to me. Still to this day, there are times when I miss those nights and the comfort of being tucked into bed by my mom.
— Natalie P.
One of the most wonderful things my mom did for me was to affirm me in the way God created me and to teach me about Jesus.
— Casey H.
It sounds super generic, but the book I Love You Forever is a perpetual anthem that rings in my brain. I think my mom read it to me every day for the first few years of my life. That, in addition to singing songs and sharing stores before bedtime, left wonderful memories for me.
— Lisi K.
Sometimes my mom would buy a “just because” gift and leave it wrapped on my bed when I came home from school. She would tell me, “I have a surprise for you!”
— Anonymous
My mom always fueled our imagination. We would host Nancy Drew book clubs, have our own tide pool science camps, grow our own farms and have poem/song writing days. Be creative with books, nature and adventure!
— Marina H.
My mom used to write notes in my lunch and give me homemade chocolate chip cookies. Also, my mom took me and my sis to a ton of movies, which formed our “girl bond.”
— Alyson D.
My mom took me to the French bakery on the way to school, and I would count coins to by a meringue or elephant ear. She read to me all the time. She brought me breakfast in bed when I was too tired to get up for school. She served us all day and never asked to be thanked.
— Alison P.
My mom and I used to have craft days. We would go to Michael’s and buy supplies, and have a day with just us. It was so special to me.
— Anonymous
Something my mom did was buy a new dress, bonnet or hat, tights and new shoes for Easter every year and I LOVED it! She would also take me on “special dates”—lunch, manicures, Disneyland, to give me quality time.
— Lauren S.
Too many to count! But, one sweet thing was my mom would put towels in the dryer for a few minutes to warm it up so when we got out of the bath, she’d wrap us in a warm, snuggly towel! Not every night! WE LOVED IT!
— Jill P.
I love how my mom always came to every sporting event I had. And if she didn’t, she always made it up to me somehow!
— Maddie B.
My favorite memory with my mom was going on walks around the neighborhood… And I love that she designed all my ice skating outfits! I also remember her writing on the inside of my lunchbox that I am a daughter of the King.
— Anonymous
I remember Mom created a beautiful tea party every week. We “invited” all my dolls and stuffed animals. Mom had a way of making my whole world “come alive” in those moments. I’ll always remember that.
— Heather, My Sister
My mom (and your grandma!) was a faithful prayer warrior. E.M. Bounds said, “Prayers outlive those who uttered them. Perhaps the lips that uttered them are closed in death, or the heart that felt them may have ceased to beat, but the prayers live before God, and God’s heart is set on them.” Even though my mom’s not here anymore, I know her prayers for me live on and are still being answered. And you are the beneficiary of those prayers, too!
— My Mom, To Whom I Owe Every Ounce of My Being
How did they do it?
I think they did it one moment at a time, acts of love building on each other like blocks until a strong, sensational woman suddenly all grown up said: “Mom, you did a good job.”
To every mom out there: Happy early Mother’s Day. You do the hardest work. You give the most and get praised the least. You have spit-up in your hair and peanut butter on your jeans. No one says “thank you,” “well done,” or “break time.” You sacrificed your sleep, your body, your freedom for the children you love so deeply. You wouldn’t trade it, but sometimes, you wonder if everything you’re doing is mattering to anyone at all. You smile a lot, but you scream sometimes, too.
Please don’t forget:
YOU SHAPE LIVES.
The songs and lunch notes and tea parties and compliments are molding eternal souls.
There is nothing more important.
And I’m proud to call you a sister.
