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Become Love

by ‎05-10-2018 05:44 PM - edited ‎05-10-2018 06:01 PM

I have appreciated this quote from the first moment I saw it:

 

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How my mother became love is anyone’s guess.  It must have been her destiny.  I can’t say that her upbringing and most impressionable years encouraged a young woman to become love.  I can’t say that it was her first marriage, or raising two kids by herself.  I believe God made her the way she is.  I believe she was meant to enrich the lives of everyone she meets:  A blessing to our family, and her patients – for whom she cares just as deeply about!

 

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My mom has the sweetest soul – always seeking to find the good.  Her work ethic is unparalleled.  She returned to school once I went away to college, and has been tireless about making the most of her second act.  She’s sentimental and nostalgic.  She misses Memaw, and wants to be for her own grandkids, the kind of role model my brother and I had.  But the truth is, Memaw wasn’t all that affectionate.  We knew she cared, but she wasn’t one to offer a hug and squeeze you like it was the last time she’d have the chance.  That’s how I feel when Mom hugs me.  That’s what I see when she wraps her arms around my nephews and niece.  They don’t know yet just how incredible she is… how big her heart is.  They’ll see it in time.

 

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It’s always been easier for me to just say “Happy Mother’s Day!  I love you, Mom!”

 

But on this Mother’s Day, I wanted to share publicly how much I appreciate you, Mom, and how I’ll never take for granted the sacrifices you’ve made to help me reach my full potential.

 

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Mom told us countless times:  “If you can read and follow directions, you can do anything in life.”  Socioeconomically, there was a lot of daylight between our family and most others.  I didn’t attend the most prestigious schools, or have connections to people who could open doors.  Yet, I always felt empowered.  Mom laid out a simple way to achieve my dreams.  She also gave me permission to chase them.  She’d say, “You can’t have roots and wings.”  Making a serious run at a career in television would mean leaving our town of about 1,000 people.  She could have asked me to stay and pursue a different path.  She could have sprinkled in a bit of guilt along the way to nudge me to come home.  Spending more time together would mean the world to us both.  But she knew I needed to fly.  She tells the story of how, when I was a little girl, I had an outburst... Out of nowhere, I exclaimed, “I’m gonna make something of myself someday!”  She must’ve laughed inside at how serious I was about it, but the moment stuck – and I think that’s why she has lifted me up even when it wasn’t easy.

 

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Mom, I love you unconditionally.  I send that to you this Mother’s Day, along with the plants and Copper Chef pieces you asked for! 

 

Thank you for being THE BEST.

 

Love,

Mary