In my opinion, every day is Mother’s Day! Once you become a mother, there is not a day that goes by that you are not constantly thinking about your children and grandchildren. This is my 37th Mother’s Day and I remember the first one like it was yesterday.
My twins were born two weeks before Mother’s Day and after a 10-day stay in the hospital we came home just a couple of days before the Big Day. I prayed for twins and my prayers were answered, so everything after that was just icing on the cake. Being a mother is something for which no one can train. There are a zillion books on the market, but nothing is a perfect match for training you to be a mom.
My Mom who is 90 this year set the bar high on mothering skills. Actually she misbehaved as much as we did, and still does today! We had fun every day and she was right in the middle of it. There are so many things I remember her doing for us including mixing Kool-Aid from the little envelope package, making popsicles using the Tupperware molds, and baking a cake every Sunday afternoon. While all this was going on, she made all our clothes for my sister and me and cooked supper every night. Bless her heart, my siblings and I must have dropped our school thermoses once a week and mom would buy the new glass liner and make the repair. Then pack the kindergarten snacks every day. My how things have changed.
My boys were so much fun. There was never a dull moment in our lives. While they are twins, they had very little in common growing up. Brian was pasta and decadent desserts. Eric was meat and potatoes with brownies for dessert. Balancing that was always a challenge. Dinner time was when we shared our stories of the day. Moms are never prepared for the heartaches, discouragements, and disappointments. We do well with accomplishments and A’s on school work, but helping a child work through tough times is a navigational feat. And no one could ever have described to me the protective instincts of a mom. At times I knew I could defeat an army for my kids!
One of my favorite mornings was when it was raining and we decided a walk would be nice. We put on our raincoats over our summer shorts outfits and grabbed our umbrellas. We walked around our neighborhood stomping puddles on each other! It was just a lively competition. I would love to do that today with them and add the grandkids to the fun.
Each child is unique with gifts and talents that only they have. Embracing that is the key. My boys are still different and that is a great thing. Their talents complement each other as they lead our company. As they grew into young men, I realized the things I messed up on and the things I think I did right. I told them as they grew up, “no one will ever love you like your mother.” I believe that is the truest statement ever made. My mom’s love is unconditional and I know this every day. If my boys don’t remember anything else, I pray they will always remember that.
Mom I love you. Thank you for being a role model and for loving us unconditionally. Eric and Brian I am proud to be your mom. I love you.
Comments 19
Thank you for sharing your photos with us, I hope you had a wonderful Mother’s Day, I am a little late commenting on your post because I just got home from spending Mother’s Day with our eldest granddaughter in Charleston SC where she lives now. I am very sad to say I could not spend it with our daughter because we lost her in 2014, so Mother’s Day can be sad for me, but both my lovely granddaughters always make me feel so loved and appreciated, especially on Mother’s Day. I have lots of wonderful memories of our daughter growing up and as a Mother herself. Holding those memories close is always so wonderful. I hope all Mother’s and Grandmother’s had a wonderful day and had a great time remembering all the beautiful days bringing up their children and watching them grow. Being a Mother is the best job in the world and God Bless every Mother in the universe.
Oh my goodness what a sweet tribute to MOTHERHOOD! I have twin boys and I have those same pictures with those same adorable smiles. In one of our photo’s I am actually under the sheet holding them up as they were premature babies and didn’t yet have the strength needed for the pose. They are now “48”, strong, handsome, hardworking and we’ll respected in there work. But, I’m most proud of the way they love and care for their families. And, they know how much their Mom loves them…I am so blessed.
Thank you for this lovely post Phyllis! The photo of you as a new mom holding your baby boys is precious and your joy is quite evident. I’m teary-eyed reading this as I reflect back on the sweet moments I shared with my babies (now 25 and nearly 18) like playing in the rain, blowing bubbles in the summer, painting bird houses in the spring, snuggling while reading together, etc. and I wish I could do it again. You are so right about the fierceness of a mother. Wishing you, your mom and all the lovely moms who are part of the “Ribbon/Victoria” community a wonderful Mother’s Day!
My 91-yr.-old mother went home to be with the Lord the last day of 2017. This Mother’s Day will be different without going through all of the Mother’s Day cards in the store to find just the right one for such a precious Mama. There have and will be times of sorrow but I am so thankful for having such a wonderful Mama who loved the Lord and loved us like no one else…mothers have been ‘programmed’ with unconditional love…loving us inside out, upside down and all around. How blessed to have had that in this life. We still have my 91-yr.-old mother-in-law so we are planning a dinner at her house for her and her siblings (92 and 88 yrs. old) and their children to come to after church this Mother’s Day. That will help to focus on the things that we can still be thankful for in the ‘here and now’. Thank you for sharing your memories and the pictures of your twins. You were doubly blessed!
That is such a nice remembrance! It is always the little things which are the most memorable, too. I love my mom so much. Happy Mother’s Day, Mom!
Phyllis, I love your stories! Have you kept journals of your memories along with the photos of your sons ? No one shaped my life as strongly as my mother. She was a wonderful listener and encourager. She inspired us and delighted us in so many ways. I knew I wanted to be just like her when I grew up. My husband and I have 2 children. Raising them has been the most fulfilling calling of my life. I love being a mom! And my husband loves being their dad.
Happy Mother’s Day to you & your Mother! I didn’t have twins, but my son was born in February of 1982, so it is also my 37th Mother’s Day. Five years after my son I was blessed with a daughter. She was baptized on Mother’s Day. This Mother’s Day is my daughter’s 1st Mother’s Day. I am also blessed to be spending this Mother’s Day with my 88 year old Mother.
I wish you and your mother a Happy Mother’s Day. My mother is 92 now and although she never worked outside the home, (it was enough work raising us!), she now has a thriving career as a painter. She was discovered at the age 90 and has now had four art exhibits. I feel fortunate still having my mother here, when so many of my friends have lost theirs, and try to spend as much time with her as I can.
You brought back a fun memory of taking my adorable sweet two year old to Walmart one day after a rain. I saw the big puddle about the same time she did. “Lisa, don’t jump in the –” SPLASH! An older gentleman had been watching, and he was laughing. “I knew she was going to do that!” She was so delighted, I couldn’t be mad.
What a nice story. As a mom of identical twin boys plus a sister who wasn’t even two when they were born I am blessed. Happy Mothers Day!!!
Thank you for sharing your sweet memories with us Phyllis. Mothers are a real blessing from God and I am so grateful for mine everyday. Happy Mother’s Day.
Sweet post, Phyllis. You are blessed.
Ribbon Friends, I pray that each of you enjoys a very special Mother’s Day Sunday…
Oh how cute your boys were and what a lovely post! My son’s birthday is May 14th, always around mother’s day and some years right on Mother’s Day. Everything you expressed, Phyllis, is so true. Happy Mother’s Day everyone!
What a lovely post and the picture of you and your twins is incredibly beautiful, Phyllis! I became a mother just a few weeks before you did. Our son and his lovely wife just had a beautiful baby girl this past March–our first grandchild. When I hold her, I try to “soak in” just how she feels laying against me so I can “feel” her when I’m not with her. What a thrill! Happy Mother’s Day to every nurturing lady out there whether they are a mom or not!
What a sweet story. Happy Mother’s Day Phyllis!
Thank You for sharing this lovely post concerning your twin sons. I am a twin, too. I have asthma and many nights I could not sleep and my mom would stay up playing cards with me. My maternal grandmother moved away when I was quite young. I did have contact with her but it was not the same as living near to each other. I did not know my paternal grandmother as she died when my father was a boy.
HAPPY MOTHER’S DAY
Marion
Phyllis,Happy Mother’s Day to you and your Mother. My mom and my maternal grandmother influenced quite a bit. My mother was always there for me. She always bought me a book when we were out shopping. My love of books is because of her. My maternal grandmother made everything special. She would make all my costumes for my school plays. At Christmas she would pile all my presents on her little table. She made doll clothes for my dolls and other goodies. She was very handy and talented with crafts and sewing. Unfortunately my paternal grandmother passed away before I was born.
Joan
My Mom was a great role model. She loved to read and influenced my twin sister and older sister as well. My maternal grandmother moved across country when I was three, so I did not have too much contact with her.. My paternal grandmother died when my father was a child. Phyllis wishing you and your mom a Blessed Mother’s day.
I loved hearing your story about your twins! I am a twin myself. Happy Mother’s Day to you!