Dear Mom: What I’d say if you were here…

When you have a loved one in Heaven, there are times you miss them more than others. Mother’s Day is one of those times for me; my mom left this world 14 years ago. Today I’m participating in a wonderfully encouraging band of sisters to bring you letters of hope and encouragement for the hearts of mothers everywhere. My letter is one to my mom- a letter of hope  You can check out all the beautiful letters here. Dear Mom:

While it’s been 14 years since you went to Heaven, in many ways it feels like yesterday. As Mother’s Day draws closer this week, I find myself pondering all the things I wish you knew and what I’d say if you were here.

I’d be sure to tell you that I get it so much more now than I did even 14 years ago. This thing called motherhood certainly  contains its challenges and yet you made it look much easier than I ever dreamed. Oh, no doubt, things weren’t always perfect by the definition of the word. But things were so very perfect when it came to loving hearts and investing in souls.

I wish I could tell you that I still remember the day you made a “bowling” game of doing laundry. And how I really wish I could find the time to sew like we used to do, but my heart aches so greatly each time I pick up the sewing machine you bought for me. Then I know what you’d say to that: “Just find the joy in whatever you are doing.”

I’d love to tell you how much I appreciate the beautiful dresses you sent to me while I was in college and how I still read the letters you sent when I need an encouraging word, even 20 years later.

And how I messed up your Christmas present that one year and have wished thousands of times that I could have had a do-over.

I’d love to tell you that now that I have seven kids of my own, I’m still trying to figure out how you did it with nine. And I wish I could ask you how in the world you managed to get  a meal on the table so quickly and yet have it taste so good.

It would be  fun to catch you  up on the little faces of all your beautiful grandbabies and show you the unique talents and skills of each one. Sometimes I get the feeling that you already know them- I don’t know how or why.

Mostly I would want to say thank you again. Thank you for the sacrifices you made, the older clothes you wore so that your children could have something new…the lunches of bread heels for your sandwiches and chip crumbs from the bottom of the bag…the yard sales you held to recycle and make new…the amount of time you committed to your family day and night. It all mattered because I know how to do the same from seeing you live as an example.

The hope of this letter lies in the legacy you left behind on this earth. A legacy of love and faith. A spirit of knowing that life holds much beauty as long as you take the time to see it and each day should be enjoyed as a gift from the heavenly Father.  A legacy that speaks volumes to moms everywhere…

We can only leave legacies when we purposely choose to do so.

I love you, Mom, and can’t wait to see you again.

Rachel As part of the Dear Mom tour, our group wants to bless you with some giveaway love.  All you have to do is enter in the Rafflecopter at the end of each post throughout the “Dear Mom” tour. We’ll pick a winner on Mother’s Day evening. The contest is open to US residents only. One winner will be chosen for each prize. a Rafflecopter giveaway