“Honor your father and mother,” which is the first commandment with promise. (Ephesians 6:2)

Mother’s Day, (no matter how wonderful and love-filled it is with our children, friends, and relatives), has a little blue cloud in it if you aren’t able to talk to your mother. You may have had a mom, momma, mother, grandmother, or some other title of selfless love; I had Mama. My sister, brother, and I were blessed to have our Mama until she was just short of her 78th birthday. We’d have kept her forever, but for her sake, God gave her a blessed rest.

My own children generously spent their time, and their money, to give me a sweet and fun-filled weekend of togetherness. I couldn’t ask for more. They tell me with their words and actions how much they love and appreciate me, so there is in no way, anything missing in my Mother’s Day pleasure — it’s my mother’s Mother’s Day that I miss; that has a little blue in it.

I miss her tattered old housecoat. I miss her glistening eyes as she tried to make me understand how much she loved us. I miss her asking for “just a little bitty bite of that”. I miss her grand roast beef, carrots, potatoes and chocolate pie. I miss the beautiful impatiens she invested way too much money and energy in each spring. I miss the way she leaned nearer me in church to hear me sing even though I gave her that look that said, don’t embarrass me. I would give a pretty to have her there leaning near me again. I miss her one and only tone-deaf tune as she sang her lullaby Bye-oh Baby Bye-oh, as she rocked her grandbabies. I miss the genuine, from-the-heart advice, given because she cared more than anyone in the world could care. I miss, oh how I miss, seeing her drive up the driveway, knowing that whatever she saw, heard or sensed, she was going to say something positive and encouraging, and make us believe we were the best thing since sliced bread. I want so badly to tell her how loved and missed she is. But then, I feel quite sure she knew it already.

If we had the perfect life, with a thousand top-notch children, friends and relatives, and not a thing missing, except our mother, we would without a doubt, feel the missing part. Because we only get one — the one and only — Mama.

If you are fortunate enough to still have your mom in your life, cherish her. Enjoy every opportunity to spend with her, and give yourself the gift of her life-earned wisdom. If you have seen her pass to the next life, live to honor her memory. Live life with all the joy and love that she would want you to.

Have a wonderful week. Trisha