52 blessings grateful Fridays - Mothers

Today, I give thanks for my dear little nephew and Godson -

Happy 6th Birthday 'Champion' (my brother calls him this) ...
and it is with sadness I remember my friend ~Christine~ ... I wrote this last May

Chris (37) passed away on Friday 11th May 2007 after losing her battle with life , following a brain haemorrhage 3 months ago not long after giving birth to her much awaited little boy, William. Chris joined an internet forum after her twin daughters stillborn @21weeks on 4th & 5th July 2005.Chris received much support from friends she made there. She also gave comfort to many people including myself. She had a great sense of humour and also compassion towards others.

On the 1st anniversary of losing her twin daughters Chris got a BFP - and was overjoyed to be pregnant again. She welcomed the support on her online friends during her pregnancy. We chatted often on MSN and a few times on the phone.

Chris gave birth to her son, William Earle, @35wks2days on 8th February, 2007. A very precious little fellow. It was a week or so after his birth she became ill. She has spent the last 3 months of her life in hospital.

Oh I think about her precious lil' man, -'Junior',her never getting to know him or nuture him and him not getting to know her.

Today, may we all find the time to hesitate and remember how blessed we are , may we take the time to laugh, love and cry with those we love and whom love us

Sadly this year the first anniversary will fall on Mother's day ...

I received this by email from another dear friend today ... and it was a timely reminder of giving thanks for all Mothers - Deb's own (life long foster)Mother passed away 8 years ago on Boxing day.

It is also the inspiration (mine) for my husband's Mother's day gift ... I am unaware of the author as it was circulated by email.

BEING A MOTHER

After 21 years of marriage, my wife wanted me to take another woman out to dinner and a movie. She said, 'I love you, but I know this other woman loves you and would love to spend some time with you.'

The other woman that my wife wanted me to visit was my MOTHER, who has been a widow for 19 years. The demands of my work and my two children had made it possible to visit her only occasionally.

That night I called to invite her to go out for dinner and a movie.

'What's wrong, are you well?' she asked.

My mother is the type of woman who suspects that a late night call or a surprise invitation is a sign of bad news.

'I thought that it would be pleasant to spend some time with you,' I responded. 'Just the two of us.'

She thought about it for a moment, and then said, 'I would like that very much.'

That Friday after work, as I drove over to pick her up I was a bit nervous. When I arrived at her house, I noticed that she, too, seemed to be nervous about our date.

She waited in the door with her coat on. She had curled her hair and was wearing the dress that she had worn to celebrate her last wedding anniversary.

She smiled from a face that was as radiant as an angel's. 'I told my friends that I was going to go out with my son, and they were impressed,' she said, as she got into the car. 'They can't wait to hear about our meeting.'

We went to a restaurant that, although not elegant, was very nice and cozy. My mother took my arm as if she were the First Lady.

After we sat down, I had to read the menu. Her eyes could only read large print. Half way through the entries, I lifted my eyes and saw Mom sitting there staring at me. A nostalgic smile was on her lips. 'It was I who used to have to read the menu when you were small,' she said.

'Then it's time that you relax and let me return the favour,' I responded.

During the dinner, we had an agreeable conversation, nothing extraordinary but catching up on recent events of each other's life. We talked so much that we missed the movie.

As we arrived at her house later, she said, 'I'll go out with you again, but only if you let me invite you.' I agreed.

'How was your dinner date?' asked my wife when I got home.
'Very nice. Much more so than I could have imagined,' I answered.

A few days later, my mother died of a massive heart attack. It happened so suddenly that I
didn't have a chance to do anything for her.

Some time later, I received an envelope with a copy of a restaurant receipt from the same place mother and I had dined.

An attached note said: 'I paid this bill in advance. I wasn't sure that I could be there; but nevertheless, I paid for two plates - one for you and the other for your wife. You will never know what that night meant for me. I love you, son.'

At that moment, I understood the importance of saying in time: 'I LOVE YOU' and to give our loved ones the time that they deserve. Nothing in life is more important than your family. Give them the time they deserve, because these things cannot be put off till 'some other time'.

Somebody said it takes about six weeks to get back to normal after you've had a baby ... somebody doesn't know that once you're a mother, 'normal' is history.

Somebody said you learn how to be a mother by instinct ... somebody never took a three-year-old shopping.

Somebody said being a mother is boring ... somebody never rode in a car driven by a teenager with a driver's permit.

Somebody said if you're a 'good' mother, your child will 'turn out good' ... somebody thinks a child comes with directions and a guarantee.

Somebody said 'good' mothers never raise their voices ... somebody never came out the back door just in time to see her child hit a golf ball through the neighbour's kitchen window.

Somebody said you don't need an education to be a mother ... somebody never helped a fourth grader with his math.

Somebody said you can't love the second child as much as you love the first ... somebody doesn't have two children.

Somebody said a mother can find all the answers to her child-rearing questions in the books ... somebody never had a child stuff beans up his nose or in his ears.

Somebody said the hardest part of being a mother is labour and delivery ... somebody never watched her 'baby' get on the bus for the first day of kindergarten or on a plane headed for military 'boot camp.'

Somebody said a mother can do her job with her eyes closed and one hand tied behind her back ... somebody never organized seven giggling Brownies to sell cookies.

Somebody said a mother can stop worrying after her child gets married ... somebody doesn't know that marriage adds a new son or daughter-in-law to a mother's heartstrings.

Somebody said a mother's job is done when her last child leaves home ... somebody never had grandchildren.

Somebody said your mother knows you love her, so you don't need to tell her ... somebody isn't a mother.

Pass this along to all the 'mothers' in your life, and to everyone who ever had a mother. This isn't just about being a mother, it's about appreciating the people in your life while you have them....no matter who they are.

My husband loves the idea and I know his mother will too ... bet the first question she asks him though is - was this your idea ?

Ps. I will update my Revive our heart Challenge tomorrow ... it's been a busy week and today was busier yet.
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