Happy (belated) mother's day to all of you mommas out there! 

When I was a kid, I knew my mom definitely read the best stories, made the best lemonade and was obviously the best PTA mom that Belmar Elementary had ever seen. When I went off to college, my mom became my favorite phone call, my encourager in all things and a dear friend. I became more thankful for the nutritious family meals that my mom prepared for us every single evening, more grateful for the hundreds of concerts/recitals/games/tournaments that she endured for me and my brother, thankful for the hours that she spent quizzing us on our spelling words and even more hours teaching us how to be decent people. 

This mother's day I am even more grateful for my mom now that I am a wife and special-ed teacher of sorts, myself. These are a few things that she's taught me along the way (and why she wins the best mom award each year.)

1. I never knew how great Mom was at being a wife until I became a wife myself. I am still learning how to be servant-hearted to Chris when there is a pile of dishes in the sink or when ESPN is on. (I guess Mom does have a few decades of wifehood on me.) But now I can see the millions of times that she served me and my brother by serving my dad first. 

2. If you go to St. Thomas Catholic Church in Amarillo, TX, you know that my mom could be its patron saint. I feel sure that she has volunteered for every committee and has headed up quite a few of them.  In about 30 seconds I came up with this list of involvement: sunday school teacher, bible study leader, funeral dinner committee chair, youth choir fundraiser, Eucharistic minister, parish council member, Alter Guide president, women's retreat chair, gift-shop person, adoration participant, RCIA sponsor, godparent, not-to-mention all of the other untitled things she has done for our church. I remember as a kid waiting for mom to finally finish gabbing with so-and-so or running to grab the key to sell something in the gift shop, or selling raffle tickets for the next youth fundraiser. My dad used to joke that the "rapture" had happened and that mom was the only one taken.. me, my brother and dad were left behind. ;) All that to say, her example has really stuck with me. I hope that I will become an active member of my parish, a servant to my brothers and sisters in Christ.

3. My mom went back to work as a special-ed teacher when I was a 7th grader. I knew she was a good teacher then but now that I am a working woman myself, I appreciate her dedication even more. Her example inspires me to work harder for my clients and to expect to work diligently each day. I am grateful that I have had her example of how to be a working mother.

So as motherhood draws closer for me I hold her example closer so that one day I may pass on her legacy of motherhood to my children. I often think of the song "gentle woman" when I think about my mom; it's no coincidence that she is named after Jesus' mother, Mary.

Gentle woman, quiet light.
Morning star so strong and bright.
Gentle mother, peaceful dove:
Teach us wisdom, teach us love.