To Mom

An Open Letter to My Mother for Mother’s Day

May, 2014

Dear Mom,

This Sunday will be your 63^rd Mother’s Day (I should know) and wanted you to know a few things I’ve noticed as we’ve journeyed through our mother/daughter relationship:

First, I know you have-- and still do--love me. I’m aware that my entrance into the world was unexpected—that you and Dad had hoped you could support him in his graduate studies, but that those plans were altered by pernicious sickness that attended your pregnancy. I know from both of you that the first years of your marriage were lean because of having a baby so soon, but I never knew if for myself. My life has always been very rich with love, grace and blessing. I’m so grateful.

Second, you know me and, of course, my brother and sisters. Through the years, some life situations made it possible for you to be at home with us while others required you to join the work force. Whatever was going on in our family, church or community, you made space and time to talk, serve, notice and respond to our questions, needs and desires. Whether you were preparing meals, driving us to our various lessons or activities or praying with us at bedtime, you were listening to our words, body language and moods. Your way of listening has helped me know myself and has taught me how to listen to my own children.

You have persevered with grace through the difficult times--and you’ve had your shared of those. I read a quote this year about how, out of 100 people, one will read the Bible and 99 will read the Christian. We’ve been reading you at all times, Mom. We’ve read you well in these later years as you’ve worked through grief, bewilderment and recovery from various surgeries, continuing the process of working out your own salvation (sometimes with much fear and trembling!). As I work out my own, I’m grateful that, while my process and venue is often different from your own, you acknowledge and support the work. Every emergent generation looks different from the last, for sure. I’m grateful for your respect in our differences and grateful that you don’t force your good, strong opinions; that you truly value the gift of human freedom—warning when necessary, but always honoring.

Throughout your life, Mom, you you’ve shown great courage—have demonstrated the willingness to embrace abundance and comparative want (I think of you repeating Pop’s words that God always supplies bread if not always jam), to step into many new places as you partnered with Dad, willing to weep with the weeping and celebrate with those who were happy, waiting patiently for the Lord when healing and growth were needed.

You are a gift to me, to my brother and sisters and our families and to the world. I thank God for you, and thank you for introducing me to God through Jesus. In my love for good literature, I am most grateful that you have been such a great book to read—an epistle I continue to read as you, in grace, continue in these later, lovely years of your life.

Thank you for everything, Mom. Happy Mother’s Day!