I have distinct memories of moments in my life that I shared with each of these women and lessons learned from their teaching.
I remember being a freshman in high school in Abilene and our youth group was doing a "life on the streets" mission campaign. Students who signed up were dropped off at the local homeless shelter where our belongings were taken from us and we were to pick out new clothes from the shelter's closet of donated clothes. I was horrified at the thought of spending my weekend in such a way. None of my friends were doing this weekend event and I absolutely did not want to do it! I wasn't sure how my mom had even gotten around to signing Patrick and myself up but she did. I told her I didn't want to go, I begged and pleaded and I was pretty sure I had gotten her to let me off the hook until I saw she had packed my bad and literally took me kicking and screaming. Yes I was in highschool and yes I was crying when she dropped me off. I was so mad I don't think I even told her bye. Patrick on the other hand embraced the weekend ran right over to his pack of friends. The weekend was not easy. We were separated into groups and all dropped off at the city limits in the wee hours Saturday morning with the goal of walking back to the shelter if we wanted breakfast. I was in flip flops and freezing but too proud to take shelter shoes. We visited camps around the city of homeless communities and delivered food to many. At some point I began to let down my guard and embrace the message of the weekend. Gods love was covering those people as much as it was me and I was no better than any one of them. Sunday we all worshipped together at the shelter and shared a meal. When my Mom came to pick me and Patrick up I told her how grateful I was that she forced me to go. That weekend is one I will always remember but even more than being forced out of my comfort zone I remember how my Mom knew I needed that experience. She knew that it would impact my life in many ways forever.
My family moved to Nashville the summer after my 5th grade year. My mom was attending PA school and working so a lot of our care was provided by Nana and Grandy. My 6th grade year at a new school brought along a lot of new experiences. One of which was my first school dance. My Nana took me to shop for a new dress for the dance and I remember feeling so special that I got to be out shopping with my Nana. Our tastes differed a bit but we managed to find a nice black spaghetti strapped dress at Wet Seal. Nana insisted that every girl needed jewelry to complete an outfit and helped me pick out a black chocker necklace and black bangles (that look was really in then!) After we pieced the look together in the store we went in search of shoes. Would you believe my Nana bought me my first pair of platform shoes?! I remember thinking I had the coolest Nana in the world. She helped me get ready for the dance and fixed my hair. Spending that time with her just the two of us, shopping for a special occasion is one I will never forget. I have been so fortunate to have an extra special relationship with my Nana that goes beyond the usual grandparent/grandchild bond. She has always been a listening ear, shoulder to cry on, friend and truly Grand Mother to me!
Growing up my Mom had to work alot since she was the sole provider for my brothers and I. This meant that we weren't able to go on many family vacations with her since she couldn't miss work. If it hadn't been for my Aunt Tammy then we wouldn't have been able to go on vacations at all. We would have spent summers, spring breaks, and christmas breaks at home but she didn't let that happen. For as long as I have known Aunt Tammy has taken the three of us on as her own, loved on us, disciplined us, and encouraged us when my Mom wasn't able to. She took us to the mountains with her kids to be with our other cousins during the summers, to visit Nana & Grandy during Christmas Breaks and to San Antonio for spring breaks. Looking back I now realize what an undertaking this was for her to add on 3 kids to her own 4 but she never made us feel like a burden. Always a welcome addition to her clan. I have been so fortunate that my relationship with her has only matured in love and guidance through the years. At every major milestone and every regular day in my life she is standing there encouraging me and helping to guide me. I am forever grateful for her love! For accepting me as one of her own and treating me as such. For loving Everett as her own. As much as I know she loves me, I know it all stems from her deep love and affection for my Mom, her sister. A Bond that runs deeper than the rest and has seen its share of rocky roads but it's a love that conquers. I have always counted myself extra special to be on the recieving end of that bond and to be the one to be named after my Aunt Tammy! She is truly my other mother and one I couldn't survive without!
So Happy Mother's Day to these Moms in my life and so many other's out there who all deserve to be truly celebrated!
Growing up my Mom had to work alot since she was the sole provider for my brothers and I. This meant that we weren't able to go on many family vacations with her since she couldn't miss work. If it hadn't been for my Aunt Tammy then we wouldn't have been able to go on vacations at all. We would have spent summers, spring breaks, and christmas breaks at home but she didn't let that happen. For as long as I have known Aunt Tammy has taken the three of us on as her own, loved on us, disciplined us, and encouraged us when my Mom wasn't able to. She took us to the mountains with her kids to be with our other cousins during the summers, to visit Nana & Grandy during Christmas Breaks and to San Antonio for spring breaks. Looking back I now realize what an undertaking this was for her to add on 3 kids to her own 4 but she never made us feel like a burden. Always a welcome addition to her clan. I have been so fortunate that my relationship with her has only matured in love and guidance through the years. At every major milestone and every regular day in my life she is standing there encouraging me and helping to guide me. I am forever grateful for her love! For accepting me as one of her own and treating me as such. For loving Everett as her own. As much as I know she loves me, I know it all stems from her deep love and affection for my Mom, her sister. A Bond that runs deeper than the rest and has seen its share of rocky roads but it's a love that conquers. I have always counted myself extra special to be on the recieving end of that bond and to be the one to be named after my Aunt Tammy! She is truly my other mother and one I couldn't survive without!
So Happy Mother's Day to these Moms in my life and so many other's out there who all deserve to be truly celebrated!
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