I used to hate Mothers Day! Until this weekend when Poppa God spoke very clearly to me that it was actually a choice I had! We all have choices to make.
Why did I hate Mother’s Day?
Because I felt I’d been cheated!
I felt I’d missed out on the fairy tale of having that sweet experience of having a loving mother to protect me from all the bad things in this world.
I did not have that at all so for many years I’d felt sorry for my self! Ahhh poor little me!
Yes, it did and has greatly hurt that I didn’t get to have that better experience; however, please allow me to share three (3) important things my mom did teach me!
1. Look for Hidden Treasures
My mom is now in a nursing home so being an only child I’ve acquired her personal effects. Last fall I was going through one of her many totes of stuff and found one stuffed full of my things!! Yes! My things!
There were baby bottles, a cloth diaper with diaper pins. Many little outfits… some of which she’d sewn herself from the feed sack material she got with huge bags of feed for the goats she raised. Those goats helped provide meat and milk for her, my grandmother and me!
And several pairs of my little shoes. There were several of my toys and books. And gobs of pictures! From birth all the way into my young adulthood. Oh goodness! I’m looking forward to creating a scrapbook of her memories with me!
Those my friends were hidden treasures I will forever cherish!
I grew up thinking my mother didn’t love me because of all the abuse that happened to me. But I believe she loved me the best she knew how, from the way she’d been taught.
Sidenote: I’ve gained more truth down through the years of how she too suffered abuse as a young child for many years!
2. Perseverance is Key
My mom was a hard worker. She worked cleaning peoples houses and often times being treated disrespectfully! But she worked. She also went back to night school when I was around nine years old to get her GED. Later she went on to obtain her CNA training!
She helped around the old home place raising huge gardens, raising goats and chickens all the while with very little help or money. Yep we were poor but I lived through it and learned a lot!
She kept going!
I have learned it takes hard work to overcome the lies of an abusive childhood!
I did not give up!
3. What NOT to do!
I was about 14 years old. We were standing in the kitchen. It was summer. I’d asked to go hang out with some of my friends. She told me ‘no’ and I smarted off so she hauled off and slapped the fire outta my left cheek.
I remember so clearly thinking that when I grew up and had kids and a family they’d always know I loved em!
In looking back there are many choices I’d made differently in my motherhood, yet I did the best I knew how to do! Without a doubt I know God helped me to grow!
I did not pass on that generational curse of abuse!
I did not withhold my love!
I did not not tell my son how much I loved him and how proud of him I was and am!!
I am choosing to celebrate today being a momma to a fabulous son and all the spiritual children Poppa God’s blessed me with!
I’m choosing to celebrate the mother I have dispute all the imperfections!
Because of her I am alive and experiencing the amazing life I’ve been blessed with!
I have an over the top husband and family!
I am one majorly blessed woman!
I pray you mothers today no matter what your circumstances will have a sweet peaceful day!
Pamela Richards-Woodall 