(Mom and I at Kiki’s Surprise 50th Birthday Party in 2009)
Happy Birthday to my wonderful mother who turns 71 today! I’m glad you got to go to Wisconsin, mom to be with the other August birthday grandchildren, but count on some birthday spankings from me when you return. Hee hee. I love you so much, and I thank God that He blessed me with a wonderful mother like you. I hope you enjoy your special day.
Love,
your favorite child 
A friend shared this with me recently. I thought it was good, so I am posting it here.
Deserts
by Adina Dubois Barnett
This weekend was one for a lot of reflecting. I thought a lot about deserts. And philosophers. And the combination. Why is it common for wise men to take time to pray and fast and just be by themselves in the desert?
The discipline-control-freak in me wanted to take off for the nearest desert and figure it out. But that led to another question. Why are there so few mothers who are recognized philosophers? Have you ever heard of a mother wandering off in the desert to find herself and being in any way lauded? They are usually considered nuts who abandoned their children for selfish reasons. Maybe that is true.
As a mother I can’t run away and figure out the important questions in my brain. I have to figure it out as I’m running. Sometimes, however, motherhood reminds me of a desert. There’s the scorching of my selfish desires as I work towards a purer, more altruistic vision; there’s the searing heat of soul-searching in order to make sure that what I am doing out of freedom won’t result in bondage for my child down the road; the thirst is palpable… thirst for knowledge, thirst for guidance, thirst for the best way to do everything because each small detail can make a big impact. Sometimes desert snakes startle me. Sometimes dust storms blind me. Sometimes I feel like it will be a 40 year journey and I will murmur and complain and never figure out how to mature, like many of the children of Israel. But, every once in a while, I find an oasis and see a leaner, more self-disciplined, reflection of a person with Living-Water-tuned-senses that is slowly shaping.
If motherhood can be like a desert, surely righteous children are as worth it as a Promised Land.
1. 
My mother – Mom turned 70 in August, and I am thankful that she is still around. I truly have been blessed with a wonderful mother and am thankful for the sacrifices she made for all of her kids over the years. She taught me a lot just by having a good attitude about situations in life that were not pleasant and would have made others complain. I love you mom, and I’m glad you’re coming over for Thanksgiving!
2. 
Our dog – Misty is a great little pooch. When I am at home, she is my shadow. She follows me down the stairs each morning and likes to sit in the recliner and be close by while I’m praying. She is hilarious at Christmas time, for she loves to open gifts and has been caught snooping around the tree a time or two. All we have to do is put a gift on the floor in front of her, and she will savagely tear at it until it is open. We certainly love our Misty pooch. 
3. Good health – The only times that I have stayed overnight in a hospital were when I was born and when I gave birth to my two children. I’m very thankful for that, because I don’t enjoy hospitals. I’ve heard the saying that “when you have your health, you have just about everything”. It should be “when you have a relationship with God and have your health, you have just about everything. I’m thankful right now that I have both. (even though I am battling a cold as I write)
4. Laughter – The Bible says that “a merry heart doeth good like a medicine.” I’m thankful I have some “good medicine” in my life , and lot of it comes via my husband, son and daughter.(mostly my son) I don’t think it’s good to be too serious, and I have had times in my life where I start to spiral downward, because I’m consumed with life’s situations and not taking time to laugh and enjoy life. Thank you Lord, for the gift of laughter!
Okay, I’m going to tell you something that may surprise you. A couple of years ago, my husband and I were spending some leisure time with another pastor and his wife. The pastor’s wife and I were looking around in a quaint litte shop, when she came across a book which she picked up and began reading. She was laughing, so I came over to see what she was laughing about. The book she had picked up was entitled Walter The Farting Dog. I started reading it with her, and we were both standing there laughing hysterically. Flatulence can be inappropriate at times, but other times it is just plain funny. That book was a real gas.
When we came back from church this morning, the two baby mourning doves were out of the nest and sitting on the porch rail. It was such a neat site that my husband and I rushed inside and got our cameras.
I wonder how much of a bond, if any at all, that these baby birds form with their parents. It’s a whole lot different for humans to experience the “empty nest.” I’m not there yet, but should the Lord delay his coming and our lives down here continue, I know that one day this will be my lot too. What a bittersweet thing that will be. For the kids, I’m sure it will be exciting, maybe a little scary, but mostly exciting as they go out and experience a lot of “firsts”. For me as a parent, I know it will be somewhat difficult after having raised them and spending so much time together. But this is the nature of a parent. In a sense, we work our way out of a job. I am not done yet though, so while my two precious young uns are still around, Lord, help me make the most of it and cherish every minute. One day these 2 kiddos that God chose to bless us with will leave the nest, but I will ALWAYS hold them in my heart.
I received this from my sister-in-law a few weeks ago and just thought I would share it. May it encourage you as it encouraged me.
It all began to make sense, the blank stares, the lack of response, the
way
one of the kids will walk into the room while I’m on the phone and ask
to be
taken to the store. Inside I’m thinking, ‘Can’t you see I’m on the
phone?’
Obviously not; no one can see if I’m on the phone, or cooking, or
sweeping
the floor, or even standing on my head in the corner, because no one
can see
me at all. I’m invisible. The invisible Mom. Some days I am only a
pair
of hands, nothing more: Can you fix this? Can you tie this? Can you open
this??
Some days I’m not a pair of hands; I’m not even a human being.. I’m
a clock
to ask, ‘What time is it?’ I’m a satellite guide to answer, ‘How do you spell hippopatomus?’ I’m a car to order, ‘Right around 5:30, please.’
I was certain that these were the hands that once held books and the
eyes
that studied history and the mind that graduated summa cum laude -
but now
they had disappeared into the peanut butter, never to be seen again.
She’s
going, she’s going, she’s gone!?
One night, a group of us were having dinner, celebrating the return
of a
friend from England. Janice had just gotten back from a fabulous
trip, and
she was going on and on about the hotel she stayed in. I was sitting
there,
looking around at the others all put together so well. It was hard
not to
compare and feel sorry for myself. I was feeling pretty pathetic,
when
Janice turned to me with a beautifully wrapped package, and said, ‘I
brought
you this.’ It was a book on the great cathedrals of Europe. I
wasn’t
exactly sure why she’d given it to me until I read her inscription:
‘To Charlotte , with admiration for the greatness of what you are
building
when no one sees.’
In the days ahead I would read – no, devour – the book. And I would
discover what would become for me, four life-changing truths, after
which I
could pattern my work: No one can say who built the great cathedrals
- we
have no record of their names. These builders gave their whole lives
for a
work they would never see finished. They made great sacrifices and
expected
no credit. The passion of their building was fueled by their faith
that the
eyes of God saw everything.
A legendary story in the book told of a rich man who came to visit the
cathedral while it was being built, and he saw a workman carving a
tiny bird
on the inside of a beam. He was puzzled and asked the man, ‘Why are
you
spending so much time carving that bird into a beam that will be
covered by
the roof, No one will ever see it. And the workman replied,
‘Because God
sees.’
I closed the book, feeling the missing piece fall into place. It was
almost
as if I heard God whispering to me, ‘I see you, Charlotte. I see the
sacrifices you make every day, even when no one around you does. No
act of
kindness you’ve done, no sequin you’ve sewn on, no cupcake you’ve
baked, is
too small for me to notice and smile over. You are building a great
cathedral, but you can’t see right now what it will become.
At times, my invisibility feels like an affliction. But it is not a
disease
that is erasing my life. It is the cure for the disease of my own
self-centeredness. It is the antidote to my strong, stubborn pride.
I keep the right perspective when I see myself as a great builder.
As one
of the people who show up at a job that they will never see finished,
to
work on something that their name will never be on. The writer of the
book
went so far as to say that no cathedrals could ever be built in our
lifetime
because there are so few people willing to sacrifice to that degree.
When I really think about it, I don’t want my son to tell the friend
he’s
bringing home from college for Thanksgiving, ‘My Mom gets up at 4 in
the
morning and bakes homemade pies, and then she hand bastes a turkey
for three
hours and presses all the linens for the table.’ That would mean I’d
built
a shrine or a monument to myself. I just want him to want to come
home.
And then, if there is anything more to say to his friend, to add,
‘You’re
gonna love it there.’
As mothers, we are building great cathedrals. We cannot be seen if
we’re
doing it right. And one day, it is very possible that the world will
marvel, not only at what we have built, but at the beauty that has
been
added to the world by the sacrifices of invisible women.
This is beautiful and makes a ton of sense. To all the wonderful
mothers
out there!
Mom and I dipping our tootsies in Kiki’s pond. (taken May 2008)
I just wanted to wish my wonderful mother a very Happy Birthday today! You would hardly know that she is 69, because she hardly has any gray hair and is quite active. I feel very blessed to have had her as my mother, and I’m thankful for the years that God has allowed us to be together. Hope your day is wonderful, mom!
when I took my daughter home from the hospital after her birth, that the day would come when she would be able to drive a car without having me in it? Come to think of it, they never even gave me an instruction manual upon our departure. Alas, the day has come, and Jen is driving for the first time by herself. She drove to a youth service tonight about 20 minutes away. I did real good. I waited about 15 minutes until after she should have been there……………………………………..and then I called. Her response? “Oh, mom.” I guaranteed that I wasn’t going to call her every time she goes out in the car, but cut me some slack. This was her first time. I realize though that this child who is really on loan to me from God is in His hands, and I simply must rely on Him to watch over her. God wants me to trust Him with this area of my life too, so……………………………………….I will.
Special Note : For all you who love Jamba Juice, go to this link, put in your name, e-mail address and zip code and you’ll get a coupon, good through July 30th for a buy one get one free smoothie. There, you can’t say that I didn’t tell you.
http://www.jambacentral.com/therealdeal/?utm_source=jamba&utm_medium=hp&utm_campaign=bogo
Yesterday was a significant day for me, but today is my daughter’s red letter day. On this date, she completed her behind the wheel driver’s training requirement for California residents. She needs only to get a few more practice hours in with her dad and I(50 total), and she will be able to get her license. In addition to this, she is also working her first day at her first real job. (She doesn’t consider the filing she did for her dad as a real job.) In fact, my husband just left a few minutes ago to take her to work. I was going to take her, but with a puppy dog look in his eyes he said, “Please would you mind if I take her?” I’m glad he’s taking her though, because I know he’ll be giving her those fatherly reassurances to help her be more at ease.
Sometimes it’s hard to watch the kids grow up. I am excited for Jen in a way, because I remember what it was like for me to start working, have my own money and be able to drive. All of those “firsts” of entering adulthood can be pretty thrilling. Yet, there is that part of me too that would like to have her stay little a while longer and keep her from experiencing hurts and disappointments that are an inevitable part of growing up. I know I have to let go eventually and let her make her way in this world, and her getting a job is probably a good first step. The day will come when she will step out completely from under our care, but I know she will always be under the tender gaze of her Heavenly Father. In that, there is comfort. So……………………………………………………………………………go Jen! Do your very best at your job, and bring home all the icecream you can. LOL
The day before Mother’s Day was a special occasion to get together with my mom and sisters for a shopping trip. We were accompanied too by my daughter Jen, Ann’s 2 kids Abby and Brady and my sister Karen’s future daughter-in-law, Molly. After walking through the mall, visiting different shops and trying on clothes, we were treated to a feast prepared by my sister Karen’s son, Jeremy. I was amazed at the spread he put out. He grilled salmon, chicken and tri-tip. He also had a large vegetable tray, fruit tray and sushi. We ate together and had a nice time of relaxation in Karen’s beautiful backyard. Mom and I were feeling a little crazy, so we decided to dip our feet in the little pond in the yard too. Ah, it was refreshing. Although I only live about an hour from my sisters, my oldest brother and mom, we really don’t get to see them very often, so this was a real treat. Below are some pictures from our time together.
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I just wanted to wish my mom a very Happy Mother’s Day! Mom, I’m so glad we were able to spend the day together yesterday. It was fun shopping, eating together and dipping our tootsies in Kiki’s backyard waterfall. Thank you for being the great lady that you are and for the profound influence you have had in my life. I really believe there have been many times that your prayers have made a difference for me and our family. I so appreciate you giving me a good example to follow. I love you, mom!
your little ‘lynnie
P.S. Happy Mother’s Day to all you moms out there.
To My Dear Mother
I’m thankful for your love so true
That through the years remains the same,
Given to me in Jesus’ name.
Unending gift for me, from you,
Clearly shown in each word and deed
Often reached out to meet the need.
With a bond much stronger than glue
Your love held us all together
In bright days and stormy weather.
‘Twas sure and steady, saw us through
It taught us God would be enough
When life’s sharp twists and turns were rough.
It always brought God into view
I felt secure in how you trod.
Your hand put in the hand of God.
Written 5-9-08
