Sunday, May 11, 2008

I love my mom!

Mom entered a new phase of life this week: KID-FREE! An exciting time, of course. A time of self-redefinition. A time for new opportunities. A time not to have to provide for anyone else.

And just like any season of change ... I'm sure it's hard! I mean, she's been doing this parenting thing for 29 years without a break! And for that season to be over? I've been doing the parenting thing for almost four years, and it's so hard to try to imagine a season beyond that!

And just like any season of change ... she enters it with grace and determination. I think she's going to wear "empty nest" just beautifully! This season isn't going to change, so we might as well look pretty. :)

And just like any season of change ... she walks through it with God as her guide. Many unknowns out there! Questions such as, "What now?" are not weighted down with worry and self-pity, but are directed to God with faith that He gives answers!

Thank you, God, for my mom! And thank you, Mom, for being you! I love you!

9 comments:

Deborah said...

I thank God for your Mom too! What a sweet tribute to her.

Anonymous said...

Amen to what you and Deborah both said. I'm hoping that since your Mom has an "empty nest" that will allow some time for another St. Louis visit! :)

Elizabeth said...

I was going to type the exact same two sentences as Deborah! We must be related or something.

You have an amazing Mom! Happy Mother's Day to you, too, Kimberly!

Emily said...

I love your mom, too, Kim! She is still the best boss I ever had and is such a wonderful lady. I know you're proud of her!

Tiffany Rose said...

yep! You've got a pretty awesome momma!! :)

Anonymous said...

Oh my! Thank you for your selective memory – perhaps not selective, but remembrances viewed through the lens of love are so much sweeter!

I have played a lot of roles in my life – elder’s daughter, principal’s kid, student, performer, minister’s wife, hostess and employee. I have enjoyed it all, but the best “gig” of all was being a mom! How utterly exhausting and completely fulfilling it has been to celebrate each victory from birth to adulthood – watching you learn to crawl, walk, feed yourself, ride a bike, go off to school, deal with a broken heart, deal with wins and losses in sports, music, and life in general. The end of that maturation process produced a beautiful, warm, sensitive, strong, Christian woman.

Being a mom transformed my prayer life, but I believe the prayers will continue long after my children leave home. I remember Grandma Eubanks saying that every day she prayed for each of her children and grandchildren by name. I took a lot of comfort in knowing she was praying for me each day. That’s a tradition worth holding on to!

So what is next? God only knows, but I can tell you that the next step has begun with a major house cleaning! Perhaps it is mundane chores that help us through transitions in life. As I was sorting through the linen closet tonight (Swing Kings playing in the background) I was thinking about Mary Magdalene and the other women who, after Jesus was buried, went ahead and did the functional chores of tending to the deceased body. When transitions occur in our lives we can curl up and die or we can keep putting one foot in front of the other and keep going. Just doing the mundane chores of life led the women to the tomb where they were the first to see that Jesus was resurrected! I doubt if I will be witnessing any resurrections in the near future, but I do trust God with my future. “He’s always been faithful to me!”

I don’t mean to blog on your blog, but I just had to respond to your kind words. I love you! XO, Mom

John, Kisti, Maren & Silas Felps said...

That is just precious, and what your mom wrote just about had me in tears! You two should write a book together;)

Anonymous said...

Oh, my! I have read your entry and all the comments, and tears are flowing. I am overwhelmed with thanksgiving to our Wonderful Father for the faith of our precious child, Carol, and her daughter Kimberly. Thank you Kimberly. I love you.
Mamaw

Anonymous said...

Both of you strong women of God have given me so much strength for today. Thank you for both of your comments. Yes, my sister is pretty amazing. I believe her heart has always been turned toward God. It's so beautiful that she passed that humble posture on to her children. I love you both so much!