I would like to interrupt my not-yet-started Spring Break Series of posts to make a very important announcement:
Today, in the UK, it's Mother's Day! And although I am miles away from both my Mum (that's British-speak for "Mom") and my Grandmums (is that a thing?), they are still shaping my London life.
Today, in the UK, it's Mother's Day! And although I am miles away from both my Mum (that's British-speak for "Mom") and my Grandmums (is that a thing?), they are still shaping my London life.
This is my Grandma Betty, and I love her! This woman is a hoot! So much of my life has been spent in her house, so many memories have been made there. She's shown me the joy that can be found in funky-looking Christmas trees, the best collection of salt-and-pepper shakers you've ever seen, and a stash of comics from the Sunday paper.
She's always amazed me with her savvy couponing and her endless wit (not to mention her insane capacity for crossword puzzles), and she's taught me how to love others by just paying attention to the little things they love, which I've experienced through surprise gifts of exotic postcards or pomegranate juice. I love her, and I love learning from her! I look forward to many more lessons in the future!
She's always amazed me with her savvy couponing and her endless wit (not to mention her insane capacity for crossword puzzles), and she's taught me how to love others by just paying attention to the little things they love, which I've experienced through surprise gifts of exotic postcards or pomegranate juice. I love her, and I love learning from her! I look forward to many more lessons in the future!
My dear, dear Grandma Emma. We've lived on opposite sides of the country for most of my life, but coming together with her is always so good to my heart. This woman is strong. She taught me the meaning of being sassy and classy. She taught me to hold out for a boy who respects his mama (and has offered to fight off all the fools that don't). We can laugh together picking turnip greens, sing together at the piano in her living room, or just relax in loving silence on her incredibly comfortable couch, recovering from a big meal. Because of her, I know the value of just taking time to take the day in slowly, and of thanking the Lord for everything that comes in it. I sure do love her!
So. There's this woman named Lisa. She's pretty wonderful. She also happens to be my very own mother.
People always say that I look like my dad, but I am so happy when I look at pictures and see bits of her in me. Hopefully my heart will look like hers as well.
I don't even know where to start when it comes to all that she's given me (you know, aside from life, and all that). This is the woman who introduced me to Muppet Treasure Island, Veggie Tales, and the Importance of Being Earnest. The woman who bakes delicious maple scones (let's face it, she bakes delicious everything), makes chocolate for gifts at Christmas, who orders fish and chips almost every time we go out to eat. This is the woman who inspires me by not only running her own business, but by using that business to love on whoever walks through her salon's doors.
But most of all, this is the woman who showed me Jesus my entire life. While he was just some character in Bible stories at Sunday School, my mom showed what he was about by loving the way he loves--sacrificially and unconditionally. She was (is) an illustration in the book of the greatest story ever told, and I am grateful for that.
I realize that this is a broken world. Not everyone gets to grow up with loving mothers in their lives, mothers like Betty and Emma and Lisa. For whatever reason God let these women be a part of my story, I am so, so thankful. Happy UK Mother's Day, all.
People always say that I look like my dad, but I am so happy when I look at pictures and see bits of her in me. Hopefully my heart will look like hers as well.
I don't even know where to start when it comes to all that she's given me (you know, aside from life, and all that). This is the woman who introduced me to Muppet Treasure Island, Veggie Tales, and the Importance of Being Earnest. The woman who bakes delicious maple scones (let's face it, she bakes delicious everything), makes chocolate for gifts at Christmas, who orders fish and chips almost every time we go out to eat. This is the woman who inspires me by not only running her own business, but by using that business to love on whoever walks through her salon's doors.
But most of all, this is the woman who showed me Jesus my entire life. While he was just some character in Bible stories at Sunday School, my mom showed what he was about by loving the way he loves--sacrificially and unconditionally. She was (is) an illustration in the book of the greatest story ever told, and I am grateful for that.
I realize that this is a broken world. Not everyone gets to grow up with loving mothers in their lives, mothers like Betty and Emma and Lisa. For whatever reason God let these women be a part of my story, I am so, so thankful. Happy UK Mother's Day, all.