Thoughts on Mother's Day

It’s Monday afternoon and I’m still recovering from a quick weekend trip to Memphis. Three of our grandbabies and their parents were flying in for the week and we only had the weekend to spend with them. It just so happened that it all fell on Mother’s Day weekend and by the time we left on Sunday afternoon, my heart was overwhelmed. My daughter asked me not to cry until I got in the car because it would cause a chain reaction, so I held myself together, not just until we got in the car, but until about an hour and a half into the drive home. But once it started, I couldn’t make it end. I’d dry my tears for a little bit and then feel the sting of knowing it’ll be another three and a half months before I'll see them again. And those babies grow A LOT in 3 months! 

Mamas, if your kids are little, cherish every moment with them. It’s an honor and a privilege given to us by the Lord to raise them and love on them and nurture their little bodies and souls. I know it’s hard. Goodness, how I know! I know you just need a few hours more sleep, to be able to go to the bathroom alone, to shower without fingers sliding under the door and somebody repeatedly screaming “MAMA” at the top of their lungs. I know you need even just a few minutes of quiet time with Jesus, but if you go to the prayer closet, it won’t be long before you’re needed to clean up a mess or wipe a little tushie. I don’t necessarily miss this season of life because we did our job as parents. But I do miss the squishy hugs and sweet kisses. I miss the sound of their sweet little voices talking about their day…until I had to listen to all the minecraft talk, in detail. I thought I might go crazy during those years. I miss the family dinners where we sat at the table as a family and ate together, even though everybody didn’t like the same foods. I miss family vacations where little eyes were filled with awe and wonder. But we raised those little kids to live and love, and leave the nest. And now I get to sit back and watch them raise their babies while I just love on them.

I will say, I didn’t realize just how quickly time would get away from me, and I sure didn’t realize that we would all move away from one another. I remember dedicating them back to the Lord and telling Him– “they’re Yours. I trust You with them.” And I don’t regret that for a second because they are His anyway and He definitely knows better than I do. But my Mama and Gigi heart wasn’t quite ready for this level of trust. What I meant in my head was different than what I meant in my heart. It’s easy to say, “I trust You, Lord” when you’re watching them grow up and you have your eyes on them too. When you can still grab them up and squeeze them tight. When their little chubby hand still fits in yours. But it's another thing altogether to pack their belongings in a car or a Uhaul van and drive them across the country where you're an entire plane ride or 2 days of driving away. And you still choose to say, “I trust You, Lord.”

I won’t lie, it’s still the hardest thing to say goodbye each time we part. It NEVER gets easier. I hoped that it would, and I find myself begging God to move them closer. I do throw in that “if it’s Your will” part…if only I could bend His will. In all of my fussing and sadness, God always humbles me and reminds me that even though I can’t squeeze them and love on them everyday, we’re blessed that we still have them here on this earth, as I know so many families who will never get to squeeze their babies this side of heaven. So if you’re a mom (or a dad) who still has your babies close by, don’t take for granted the times you get to see them or hug them or even just sit next to them. I did it for years and now my heart longs for one more minute to visit face to face, one more hug and whispered I love you. For now, we’ll cherish the moments we get to spend and enjoy meals around a table, even if it’s not ours, we’ll enjoy visits to the zoo to see the flamingos with overtired babies, and we’ll hug and laugh and run and play when we can. And never tire of the whispered “I love yous” from the kids and grands. 

On a lighter note, this made our third trip to Memphis and our third trip to the famous Huey’s. This trip was more about family than sightseeing, but if you ever head that way, check out Huey’s midtown. It’s a super neat place with great food and a cool story. There’s a crutch that lives in the ceiling and the walls are beautifully colored by those who have visited. As far as food goes, I got the Bluff City Burger with fries and my husband got the Old Tyme A1 Burger with onion rings. Both were incredible and way more food than we could eat! Enjoy these pics!

All my love, 

Angie