Two Mothers

I have had the opportunity of observing several wonderful mothers up close. Many of them have affected my life in meaningful ways. Two of those mothers have been life shapers for me.

My mom is in her early 80s. As I was talking to her on the phone earlier this week, I realized how "spunky" she still is. She has a sharp mind, is very aware of everything going on around her, and she is still my mom, regardless of how old I am. I had called her give her some good news about our immediate future, and she was the ever proud mom, rejoicing in God's goodness, and making me feel good about how much she cares about me and loves me. She has always been a "mama bear" when it came to protecting her children, and that hasn't diminished even as we've all grown up. I remember a few months ago when we were treated very poorly, mama bear was in attack mode! It's probably good she lives a couple of thousand miles away. It may not have gone very good for the person who had tried to harm her children.

As I reflect on my growing up years, and compare it to Kathy and I raising our own children, I realize how much much my mom did. Not only did she run our household, take primary care of being engaged in our education, teach us life lessons and experiences, but at times she also had to work outside our home to help support us. She was a go-getter and a "won't take no for an answer" woman at a time when Hispanic tradition still had subservient roles for their wives and women. She taught herself to drive during this time period when many Hispanic women did not drive, because the men did the driving. She would load my sisters and I up in our 1955 Plymouth and drive round and round our block, learning to shift the gears in our manual transmission car. It's a wonder we all don't have permanent neck damage from all the jerking around we took as she learned how to press the clutch and shift gears in one smooth motion. Driving gave her mobility and freedom that she needed to do a great job as a mom and wife. I love my dad, and miss him terribly, but if the truth be told, it's my mom who was the bedrock of my upbringing. I thank God for a Godly woman, who is loving, giving, smart and totally engaged in life. Happy Mother's day Mom, you are deeply loved.

The other mom in my life that has been a life shaper is my wife. In my next blog I will write more about Kathy, particularly covering the last couple of years. She has been a true life partner, my lover, my teammate, my supporter, a wonderful mom, and a Godly woman. We have been tested in the last two years in ways that we could never have imagined. To watch Kathy walk with me through this testing has been a wonderful thing. She has displayed strength, maturity, and poise that has energized me and helped me display the same characteristics that have helped us live through this time period with complete confidence in God and each other. In August we will celebrate thirty nine years of wonderful marriage. I am so blessed, we are so blessed. Happy Mother's Day, Kathryn, you are the best!