Happy Mother’s Day!!

Mother’s Day has arrived!  I’ve shared before that a village raised me.  I didn’t just magically become the person that I am today.  This is the perfect opportunity to salute the women that have molded and guided me.

It should come as no surprise that Bible Study Mama is first on my list.  She carried me for nine long months.  She nurtured me and guided me through my teen years.  God bless her!  Recently, I’ve discovered that she gives a great massage.  I couldn’t let her go if I wanted to.  Especially now that I know she was holding back her special gifts.

You might know this already, but my grandma rides for me.  When I lived out of state, I didn’t have to keep up with the weather.  If inclement weather was coming my way, my grandmother would call and sound the alarm.  She would know that it was raining before I did.  She is a champion for me and believes the best of me.  If I want it straight, I go to her.

Then, there is my Aunt Linda.  I grew up in her home.  Family portraits of me and her two older kids grace the walls of her house.  I alternated between calling her mama/Aunt Linda.  She has loved on me all my life even though she’s not into touchy feely stuff…LOL.  I convinced her youngest daughter that she was actually adopted.  The proof was on the walls all around her.  (I’m a little terrible.)

My aunt Doris also picked up the slack for me.  She was a hard-core disciplinarian.  She didn’t play, and I had no choice but to respect that.  Staying at her house was a special treat.  She had a water bed.  Tell me one thing that’s cooler than that.  I’ll wait.  She is an extraordinary seamstress and knitter.  When I wanted to be Snow White for the school’s book character dress up day, she went to work.  I had a beautiful costume.

Aunt Gail is a big champion for me as well.  She tells me that I’m the best kid to come through the family.  She didn’t have to whoop me or fuss at me.  She has no problem hugging me and telling me that she loves me.  If I need her, she shows up.  Really, they all show up.

There are many other women that have had an impact on my life.  If I named them all, this would be a never-ending blog.  My community has stepped in and carried me through many difficult points in my life.  And they’ve rejoiced with me in my happiest days.

Of course, one of my mother figures is no longer with us.  My Ma Patra.  I wish she was around today.  I want to know how she would react to some of the shenanigans that we have experienced.  I really wanted her to see the first African-American president.  She always thought it would never happen.  I want her to meet my husband and squeeze on my babies.  She would let me know if my babies were ugly.  And then still love them anyway.  She would let me know if my husband was ugly…on the inside and the outside.  I miss her.

If your mom is still alive today, let her know how much you appreciate her.  Love on her while you can.  Certainly, I have been reminded of how precious life is.  Here one second and gone the next.  If your mom is gone, it’s okay to feel that pain.  To grieve the loss.  Happy Mother’s Day!  #wepreach