Happy Mother's Day

Today is Mother's Day. Jim and I had an early breakfast at the Bee Skep and then he left for Pennsylvania to visit his mother. My SIL has gone to Las Vegas with her sisters so this is the perfect time for the brothers to get together and do "guy" things as well as spend some quality time with their mother. Mom lives in an assisted living facility. Jim will pick her up around noon and take her to Dale's home where they will cook steak and shrimp for lunch. As much as she loves her daughters in law, I know she will really love this time alone with her sons.

For my part, i plan to have a very quiet day here at home. My list of activities far out distance the time I have to accomplish them, I'm sure. I hope to do some scrapping - maybe I'll even post something this time. I also plan to indulge myself in a long bath. One of my daughters sent me some wonderfully decadent bath products which I intend to use. All this, after my walk. Yesterday was four miles. Today, well, we'll see. I just finished reading the Sunday paper and see Kohl's is having a really nice sale on shoes. My sandals have bit the dust, so I just might try to squeeze a trip to Kohl's in too.

Before I any of those things, I want to take a minute to pay tribute to some of the women in my life.

My Mother-in-law: If you have been a reader of my blog for any time, you know how much I love and appreciate this woman. I've known her since I was a girl and have always looked up to and respected her. Never dreaming that she would one day be my mother in law, I always looked to her as a role model of a real lady. I love you, Mom.

My mother, Lucy Huston: In spite of a life that was at some times very difficult and disappointing, my mom never gave in to self-pity. She always saw the cup half full, a trait she passed on to me and I thank her for. Not only was my mom good to look at, she was also fun to be with. She always had room in her home for my friends and time to be interested in their lives. She was legally blind most of her life but she never let that hold her back. I could write pages about her and perhaps someday I will. Although she (and I) thought she would outlive all of us, we lost her eleven years ago. I know she is in heaven with my Grandma and Aunt Jessie waiting for me. I miss you, mom.



This is a favorite picture of my mom, my sister and myself taken a long time ago.

The Aunts: I am fortunate to have three of my many aunts still living. Each one of them has played, and still plays, a major part in making me who I am today. My Aunt Mary prayed for me for many years that I would come to know the Lord in an intimate way. I will always thank her for her steadfast faith the God would be present in my life. My Aunt Bets is the fun one. Talented and generous, she is the one who always makes me laugh. She was my Dad's baby sister. I just love being with her. My Aunt Letty is my Mom's baby sister. She has always been there for me, loving me as if were her own child, which in many ways, I am. She has always been a constant in my life. To all three of you I say "Thanks". I love you.

I can't write about Aunts without mentioning my Aunt Jessie who passed away before any of us was ready to let her go. She was the most amazing woman. Crippled with arthritis from early age, she looked the world in the face and smiled. She was one of the strongest women I've ever known. Having these women in my life, no wonder Jim always says of me, "Those Reed women are tough". We sure are. We learned that from my dear grandmother. Someday I'll write about the life of Cora Reed, but for today I'll just say, "I love and miss you, Grandma".

The girlfriends: I raise my coffee cup to these women who make my life so worthwhile. They are the sisters, who laugh with me, who hold me in their arms and cry when my world has fallen apart, who speak the truth in love, who have loved my children, cooked me meals, driven me to the hospital, supported and loved me as if we were related by blood. To these women I say, "Where would I be without you?"

The blogland friends: One would think I knew you all personally. You have become such a big part of my life. You are creative, funny, talented, smart, compassionate and honest to name a few attributes of women of strength. I am proud to know you and count myself in your number.

God Bless.