Sunday, May 09, 2010

Mother’s Day

What a day…as I am typing this I can hear Luke babbling in the den with his daddy, an hour or more past his bedtime.  Wyatt just called me into his room for the third time.  Just to talk.  He’s his mother’s child, for sure.  I am glad to steal these few moments away to reflect on the gifts from today.

My boys have been amazing.  Scott learned quickly (and I mean really quickly) that days like today are celebrated big time where I come from.  Birthdays are totally blown out of proportion, or not if you ask me.  He’s an excellent learner…or just excellent.  Either one.  I take no credit. ;)

So, it began on Thursday with a special delivery of hand-dipped chocolate strawberries just. for. me.  And, yes, there are still 2 left.  I am making these babies last!  My husband is also very good at knowing what I love and what would be a totally selfless gift (seeing that he doesn’t like strawberries).  I’ve indulged about twice a day for four days straight now.  Love!

I’ve received several sweet notes and a beautiful card, too.  But, what’s really spoken to me today are the details.

Like waking up and seeing that my beloved tiger lily is blooming for the first time today.  It was a gift from Mary Clare’s family a little over two years ago.  I had never met her mommy, Kerri, personally at that time but we had exchanged emails and I had spent many sleepless nights on 7C catching up on their blog.  Like my Annabelle, Mary Clare was born with HLHS, too.  She is another half-hearted, big bowed baby girl that instantly claimed a spot in my heart.  If my memory serves me correctly, they were at the beach when Annabelle went to be with Jesus and had a family member in our area bring a flower to the funeral home.  Like many of the other flowers we received, we planted them the following week taking ample time to pick just the right spot for them to grow.  We have a wall of hydrangeas that are full of blooms, our yellow daisy’s in the front flower bed that are very happy, a pink dogwood tree, a truly southern crepe myrtle at the top of the drive, our tiger lily and many more.   

First, I must share a funny little story.  Although, we have a lucious garden now we have never been green thumbs.  Ever.  Scott actually ran over the tiger lily the first year with the lawn mower.  If it wasn’t already dead, then we just knew it was then.  Poor guy, he felt terrible.  He had totally forgotten it was there and just ran right over it.  Apparently, they like to be run over because it returned last year with a vengence.  Oh, and this year it’s nearing four foot tall already with over 20 blooms!

So, imagine my delight this morning when I go to the kitchen window to grab a glass of water and look out to see the tiger lily finally opening it’s first bloom.  I was in tears…knowing where it’s from, who gave it to us, why it was given and that, of all days, GOD opened it’s petals today.  It was the details that blessed me the most.  HE is in the details!

Then, when it seems like the perfect day to sit home and avoid church…we go.  Not that there was ever a thought not to go.  The sermon was on God’s Promises.  Today’s emphasis on having to go through something to truly see God’s hand in our lives.  He never promises us that we won’t get burned, but he does promise us that HE will be there for us…that He loves us and that He will change us for the better when we allow Him to work in and through our lives.  Oh yes, friends, I was in it.  And, I was fine, emotionally speaking.  Until our pastor shared his final scripture reference…1 Corinthians 10:13.  I lost it.  Once again, the details bless me the most.  Remind me that HE cares and that HE is holding me in the palm of His hand.

Almost 15 years ago, my mother knew that she would eventually lose her battle with cancer.  It was inoperable and chemo wasn’t touching it.  As a family, we chose for her to be at home where she could still be involved in our daily lives.  Daddy would video my sister playing basketball and we’d all pile up in their bedroom to watch the game again later that night so she could see her youngest daughter in action.  I would regularly climb into her hospital bed with her and she would ask me to sing to her.  We read the bible together, prayed together, and mostly just talked about life together for the last months we had her with us.  While we were at school, she was busy making sure that every last detail was attended to.  Including our Christmas gifts for that year.  She met Jesus face to face on December 16th and just 9 days later, my sister and I opened gifts she had long before planned for us to receive.  The most sacred to me is my handcarved wooden keepsake box.  She had them install a brass plate in it and engraved a special note to me…and a scripture verse…1 Corinthians 10:13.  The exact verse that was shared in worship today.  Oh, HE is in the details!  I told Scott on the way home from church that only GOD could have prompted my mother to engrave that verse for me knowing full well that that it would be shared today nearly fifteen years later…on Mother’s Day.  When I need her.  When I miss her immensely.  And when I am most thankful that she is the one loving my baby girl.

We rounded out our day by enjoying lunch with Scott’s mother, visiting Flower Town and changing out Annabelle’s hairbow, playing baseball outside (me included and I have the bruise to show for it), and having heart-to-heart conversations as a family.  Wyatt misses his baby sister the most on days like today, too.  And, he opened up to Scott tonight about something that neither he nor we have spoken about in two years.  It crushes us to see him still deal so heavily with his grief.  Nothing a 6 year old should even be aware of.  God is still good…even in the valleys.  And HE has shown it to us today through His little details…

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8 comments:

Our Family said...

Rebecca, I am in tears right now. The gifts that your mom gave you (both literally and figuratively) are amazing. What a gift to have her holding Annabelle right now, celebrating Mother's Day with God. I think of you all so often and I look forward to the day when we can meet face-to-face. God bless you and your sweet family.

Love,
Bernie

Unknown said...

Rebecca, I am just sobbing reading this post. Because I've had an evening like this today, too, and I am just blown away by God's love. So thankful you have seen Him in the details today, too. Happy Mother's Day! Much love- annie

Lesli said...

Rebecca,
Oh yes, God knows how to keep showing us how much He loves and cares for us all the time.
Your mom was an angel on earth. I loved her and her friendship. You and Jennifer are so blessed to have had her as your mother. I know you know that. I remember sitting with her while you all were at church and keeping her company.
As I write this,I am missing my mom immensely too. I know she is in heaven with my dear friend Beverly.
You have precious children. We still have Annabelle's card on our refrigerator.
We are two very blessed ladies to have had such wonderful mothers.
You are an amazing young lady. Thank you for sharing your thoughts and faith.
Love,
Lesli

Shannon said...

Wow, tears here too. I'm so glad we have such an amazing God who knows exactly when His special, perfect details are needing to be seen. As difficult as it must be, what comfort to know your mother is holding that precious girl on Mother's Day, and always.

Good job Scott! :) Bible study must be working, Ha! ) And such willpower you have to make those strawberries last so long!

Evie's Story said...

What a sweet post and beautiful joys found in your day. He who carries our burdens knows our every need. How precious when we can see those gifts directly from his hand!

Kacy said...

Oh Rebecca, you are so right. Just today, about 20 minutes ago, I opened my mail and found the MUSC letter that I have been dreading to find. It is the confirmation letter and admittance instructions for Mary Clare's heart catheterization for June 2. I immediately broke down and was in tears thinking about her 3rd surgery quickly approaching. All of those emotions that we, as heart moms, feel came flooding back to me. Anger, sadness, helplessness, all of it.

Through my tears and trying to keep busy, I jumped on my computer to make reservations in Charleston for June 1, but felt compelled to check on my sweet Annabelle's blog only to find your Mother's Day post. Thank you for uplifting me today and reminding me of what is truly important, the simple beauty in life. He is in the details. Thank you for reminding me of that.

Danielle @ Living Out Loud said...

Rebecca..... I'm always inspired and amazed by the way God touches you just on the special days when you need to feel his comfort most. What an amazing gift your mother gave you... she must have been an incredible mother to have raised such an amazing daughter! I'm sure they are both celebrating YOU together on this special day!

It sounds like Scott adequately and appropriately spoiled you... good for him! My hubby has learned too and surprised me with a gift certificate to a spa.... something I never do, but very much need these days :)

Happy Mother's Day, friend!

Jeannie (HAPPY HEART) said...

Rebecca- I have tears as well. Wow! God is certainly in the details. Somehow, I just know that your mom knows what a beautiful woman you have become.(Inside and Out) You are special!