With Mother’s Day almost here, I find myself, as so many do, thinking back over the years, realizing just how blessed I am that God chose my mom just for me and me for her.  I look back over my childhood and the years that have followed and am humbled by God’s gift to me…the gift of calling, Mattie Lou Baker Huckabay, my mother...my mom. 

It’s so easy to get caught up in the daily rush of life and forget how blessed I am to have a mom who loved me and my brother, Glen, with every ounce of who she was the moment she first held us and still loves us with every ounce of who she is today, at 96 years young.  I realize how very blessed I am to sit here and write about her in the present, knowing that the fact that I can still talk and laugh with her is truly a gift from God, not to be taken lightly.

I look back and fondly remember sitting almost under her sewing machine, coloring, drawing, and playing with my dolls as she sewed, quite often for me but for others as well.  A very talented, self taught, seamstress, she created one beautiful piece after another.  I was so blessed to have my very own designer and tailor, so to speak.  The day that I asked my mom to make my wedding gown, she cried with joy, that I wanted to wear her creation as I walked down the aisle on one of the most important days of my life. She lovingly created the perfect gown for me. Something I will always cherish.

My mom has a wonderful sense of humor.  To this day, she can tell a great joke and never ceases to amaze anyone visiting with her with what a quick wit she has, always bringing laughter and joy to her conversations. She can make anything suddenly have its own personality.  A leaf on the ground that might otherwise be passed by, at her suggestion suddenly has a funny little face on it, or a birds’ song will have a message most would not hear, as she comments, “That bird must be on his way to church. Do you hear him say, Preacher, Preacher, Preacher, over and over again?”  A rock she might pick up will take on the character of a frog or possibly another of Gods' creatures. She truly has an amazing way of appreciating Gods' creations and, thankfully, has taught me to do the same. I would not trade that gift from her for anything.

For many years, my mom wrote poem after poem, honoring and remembering people, places and events.  On a recent visit with her, she actually recited, word for word, her most prized poem, one she wrote as the result of the horrific events of 9/11, titled “The Day the Heavens Wept”.  It is a beautiful poem that stirs my heart, and that of any reader, every time.  What a talented and gifted lady she is.

My precious mom truly is an amazing lady.  She lived through the Great Depression, watched the love of her life go to war and waited five long years for his return, marrying him shortly after, selflessly cared for her children, stayed by our dad’s bedside through a lengthy illness, never once complaining, survived open heart surgery of her own, all the while trusting God for guidance, wisdom and strength.  What a wonderful example she is and what a precious legacy she has created for us to follow through all these years.  I am so thankful and blessed to call her my mom. ~ Happy Mother's Day, Mom. I love you with all my heart. ~ Happy Mother's Day to all!