Thankful

Dear Mom,

Someone blogged about remembering Thanksgiving holidays when they were young. I've racked my brain and I can't think of a single Thanksgiving spent when you were alive. My siblings can remember, but I'm blank.

I can't thank you in person, but I can in spirit for all you have done as you--wife, mother, sister, in-law, friend--all your roles. No doubt there are countless things I'm unaware of--I can only imagine. At sixteen and losing your mother, with eight siblings under you--I'm sure you had your work cut out for you.

Every day I count my blessings--not just on Thanksgiving. I'm blessed with a wonderful family, relatives, and friends. The love I have in my life is abundant and I'm truly blessed. I remember someone said to me, "You're rich!" and this was during a period in my life when I was living below poverty level. I turned around and smiled, "I know."

So mom, thanks for all you've done and all you've taught me.

With all my love.

Honoring Mother's Day

Dear Mom,

If you were alive, I’d make you breakfast, lunch or dinner—or all three, along with your favorite dessert. Although I don’t know what that is. I don’t think you’d be disappointed with my homemade cherry pie—and not the canned cherry pie filling kind—but real red tart cherries. Maybe I’d create you a poem that would go something like this…

For All That You Have Done

Knee pressed pedal, makes the black Singer hum
Sewing flowered dress, for the little one
Ringer washer rumbles, churning the clothes
Squeezing through rollers, water drains from hose

Hauling laundry out, drying on the line
Ironing out the wrinkles, all pressed just fine
Preparing dinner, for everyone to eat
Still not a break, to rest your weary feet

Helping kids with homework, bath, and to bed
There’s this and there’s that, no time to be read
More dishes to wash, and counters to clean
And not to mention, all the things unseen

So thank you Mom, for all that you have done
Despite your short time, I’m the lucky one.

Happy Mother's Day!