A celebration for the one who taught me how to celebrate

I showed this picture to my mom and she said, “Gack! That hair . . . and what’s with the pants?” Personally, I kinda love it. In literature, it’s a little thing we call foreshadowing. Just a few short months after this photo was taken, it would be the three of us against the world. Together we would come dangerously close to the sharp, jagged rocks of life and learn to adjust to the ever changing currents.

Of course, it was through those rough patches my mom shored up the belief that we should celebrate in all phases of life. That life is made up of the little things, and those are pretty great, too. That there may very well be laughter, even amidst the tears.  That brighter days are just over the horizon, you’ve just got to keep going.

Looking at this picture I realize we never would have intentionally walked down the path set before us. But I’m glad we did. It proved the true metal of my mama — even amidst hardship and disappointment, she gave us some of the greatest gifts a mother can give.

Gifts I’ll be putting into practice this weekend, I might add. My aunt and uncle will be in town for our annual Mother’s Day Extravaganza. There will be an abundance of food, lots of lively conversation — maybe an eye-roll or two — and plenty of laughter.

I fully intend to frolic for three whole days . . .  just as soon as I clean the house.

So, to my mom — thanks for teaching me the importance of laughter; showing me how to celebrate, in good times and bad; and proving that you truly can get better with age. God was exceedingly gracious when he gave me you.

To all you mothers out there, may you have at least one day that’s full of all you love most.

And to all of us, a heart of happiness and the grandest of memories in the coming days.

Happy Mother’s Day | Happy Weekend, to you!