Working Mother
Any mother who gets out of bed
Mom's Dictionary
- CAR POOL: Complicated system of transportation where Mom always winds up going the furthest, with the biggest bunch of kids, who have had the most sugar.
- JACKPOT: When the kids stay at friends homes for the night.
- INSIDE: That place that will suddenly look attractive to kids once Mom has spent a minimum of half hour getting them ready to go outside.
- DRINKING GLASS: Any carton or bottle left open in the fridge.
- BATHROOM: A room used by the entire family believed by all ( except Mom) to be self-cleaning.
- PURSE: A handbag in which Mom carries the checkbook and keys she can never find because they're buried under tissues, gum wrappers, a plastic container full of cereal, toys from a fast-food restaurant, a teddy bear, football, wall paper samples, a grocery list and several outdated coupons.
- KISS: Mom medicine.
- JOY RIDE: Going somewhere without the kids.
Blonde driving down the road
Reflections from Karan:
I have wonderful memories of two extraordinary women who loved, encouraged and shared their lives with me. My mother and a mother by marriage, my mother-in-law. Two women who were opposite, yet each had talents to give and freely share. The one bond they had in common was their love for God, and for me.
As I have gotten more mature, I can see more clearly how God has made impossibilities, possible. He had a plan before I was born, and knew what I would need to grow closer to Him.
Psalm 139:13-
13. You made all the delicate, inner parts of my body
and knit me together in my mother’s womb.
14. Thank you for making me so wonderfully complex!
Your workmanship is marvelous—how well I know it.
15. You watched me as I was being formed in utter seclusion,
as I was woven together in the dark of the womb.
16. You saw me before I was born.
Every day of my life was recorded in your book.
Every moment was laid out, before a single day had passed.
He saw me and loved me, when others thought I was a mistake, He had a plan. He knew the mother I need to help me through life. (Although when I hit my teens, I was sure he had given me someone else’s mother.)
My mother, Frances:
1. My mother taught me to love and trust God.God was always a part of our growing up years; mother was faithful teaching us God’s word and His values. She had a childlike trust in the God; He is the one she lived for.
Mother worked in real estate, and at times I was fearful as she drove around the city, often going into dangerous areas. She always told us not to worry; no harm would come because God was taking care of her. And He truly did.
2. Mother taught me to love people and never give up.
Mother was always busy, learning new things, and sharing her new knowledge and anything else she had with others. She took in anyone who needed a place to stay; I know many missionary families found a home with her, sometimes for as long as a year. She loved the adventures, and would receive letters from all around the world.
Mother was never judgmental of people, and would accept them just way they were. But most important, she was never afraid or shy to tell anyone about God’s love. Mother never gave up, she was a survivor, joyfully serving God and touching lives with kindness and comfort.
3. Mother taught me to dream and laugh.
My mother was eccentrically independent with a generous heart, and loved a good deal, so thrift stores, Salvation Army, garage sales and flea markets were thrilling when she found the perfect bargain.
She always saw beauty in everything. I loved the times we spent at San Diego Bay ,having shrimp sandwiches or fish tacos with a blanket on the grass at Shelter Island. We would watch the boats sail peacefully by, as we visited and just enjoyed each other’s company. We shared our thoughts, dreams and hopes, and occasionally a funny story,with our hurts. But most of all we would speak of our blessings.
How I miss her laughter, her wonderful smile, and beautiful green eyes. I admired her strength and accomplishments against insurmountable odds. Mother often said,“With God nothing is impossible.”
We knew mother loved us, and loved God too. She trusted Him, leaned on Him, and believed His promises would keep her through the ups and downs of life. She taught us daily about God’s grace, forgiveness and love. Through her life we could see how God faithfully protected and care for our needs.
Mother-in-law Hedevig
When I moved to the family ranch in Canada, I was thrilled to have a welcoming mother-in-law who had raised three boys, and was delighted to add a girl to her family
1. Hedevig taught me about hospitality and cooking. (neither of which I knew hardly anything about)
She was a tall, kind, and a gentle Danish woman who loved her home and family. She taught me how to cook, clean, bake those wonderful Danish pastries and pies.I learned to can food, make jams, jellies, pickles, and how to freeze and blanch vegetables. I learned how to garden too.
There was never anyone turned away from home, generous hospitality, delicious meals and beautiful table settings.
Our homes were on the same property and we would see each other daily. She was a wealth of knowledge and made learning fun. She became my second mother, mentor, and friend.
2. Hedevig taught me about patience and to enjoy special moments.
As the years past, three daughters were born to our family, and they loved their grandmother very much. I fact every day after school they would stop at Grandma’s for cookies and tea, play a game of Sorry or Trouble, and then come home. She always had a listening ear, and encouraging word and many hugs. It was as though
it was their special time to have Grandma all to themselves.
Over the next few years, she endured severe illness, and as the family, we rode the roller coaster of extreme disappointments. My daughters would still visit Grandma after school every day, however they would set the cookies on the table, make the tea, set the games up, and she would come and set with them and watch as
they played. Over a cup of tea, sweetened with laughter they enjoyed their time together
3. Hedevig taught me about Grace and music appreciation
She was a beautiful pianist, organist and singer. And that gift was passed on to her children and grandchildren. I loved to listen as she sat and played the piano for hours in her home. I would go over to her house on the corner of ranch yard, and quietly enjoy my own concert. It always brought comfort to her soul as well as mine.
She endured great physical pain and showed grace throughout the illness. Always knowing God loved her, and had faith he had a perfect plan for her.
My mother’s gifts, have given me a lifetime of wonderful memories that are worth more to me than silver and gold. I have been blessed.©
Lovingly, Karan