Friday, May 7, 2010

Special Women in my Life

As mother's day is approaching, I can't help but think about the women that are and have been so important in my life. They helped to mold me into the woman I am today and encourage me to be the woman the Lord is still molding me to be.



My mother Alice was for most of my life a single mom. My dad died when I was 9 and she raised me on her own. My mother due to physical difficulties never worked outside the home, so we struggled.....but I never wanted for anything I really needed. My mom was a fantastic cook, baker, and homemaker. She loved her parents and siblings immensely. I was 29 when my mom went home to be with the Lord. She was thrilled that she got to see her first grandchild.


My Grandma, my mom's mom....was from the old country. She was all about the home and cooking and cleaning. I can remember her braiding my hair and making hats from the newspaper. And I remember her crying with me as I was losing my second baby. I adored her.


My Aunt Barbara is like my second mom. She was so different from my mom in that she worked outside the home and was very active at church and outside activities. She can make a game out of a stick...seriously. The best advice in my life came from my Aunt Barb. She is elderly now, and slowing down, but she still has her opinions on life.


My Aunt Ida is my mom's oldest sister. She is quiet but loyal. I can still remember her coming over and playing table games with us. She is still living at 91 years old and a faithful example of a Godly woman.



My Aunt Doris is with the Lord now. She passed suddenly and at a fairly young age. She was always giving me responsibilites....and I appreciated that so much. She taught me how to outwardly show love to my husband...and she was fun. She used to hide Banana twinkies in the freezer when I babysat for her! I still miss her.


My Aunt Esther was the creative one in the family. I LOVED spending time with her. We would gather around the piano and sing, sing, sing. She always had a craft going and still does. I still remember our yearly luncheons at Christmas when table decorations were not so available...they were wonderful! Her daughter Connie and I were more like sisters than cousins.


My Aunt Nancy....oh my goodness! I smile just thinking about her. She was the fancy one in the family. Back then, she had to make fancy from burlap, but she could do it. She has a laugh that would just light up a room.

I hope you are still with me, but I want to pay tribute to a few more women in my life.

My dear friend Rose. She has been my friend for 35 years. Oh, we have so many precious memories....during the good and the bad. We decorate our homes long distance! She is a faithful friend.
My friend Kathy. No one can make me laugh like Kathy. I can call her at 4 in the morning when I am sick and she will comfort me. We can be totally honest with each other and still love each other!

My friend Candy. We haven't been friends for a real long time, but she has been faithful to me through my cancer ordeal. We can go out and pretend there is no cancer...or, she can listen to me cry if I need to. I feel blessed to have a friend in my state to do girlfriend things with!

And there is my blogging friends. You know who you are. Those that have reached out to me even beyond the written page. You have added dimension and hope to my life when I desperately need it.

So I am so blessed. I waited a very long time to enjoy mother's day. There were days I thought it would never happen for me. But it did! And I really love celebrating that day with my children and grandchildren. I only pray that I will be an example to other women as the women in my life have been to me. I ask the Lord daily to make me be the woman He wants me to be
I hope you have a wonderful day full of memories too! Happy Mother's Day!

18 comments:

Julie Harward said...

You are a beautiful example to me! I can see where you got your beautiful eyes from..you Mom! So sad that she died when you were only 29..but it looks like you have had your life enriched by many good women! Happy Mothers Day! Come say hi :D

xinex said...

hat a great tribute to all the important women in your life, Ceekay. Wonderful post. You look just like your mom. Happy Mother's Day! Come and sign up for my giveaway...Christine

Cindy (Applestone Cottage) said...

This is so very, very touching Ceekay! You look a lot like your Mother and I am sure you miss her so much. It sounds like you had a lot of great women in your life!
Happy Mothers Day,
Cindy

Connie said...

I absolutely adore that picture of Aunt Alice and Richie. How perfect.

Do you remember how Grandma would sit on her little stool in the corner of the kitchen, and she'd twiddle her thumbs and watch the family....every once in awhile laughing silently at something funny going on?

I look at thos pictures of your mom, Grandma, Aunt Ida, and my mom - and get the biggest kick out of them (the pictures)...you sure can't tell they're related, can you? (Ha!)

Thanks for the trip down memory lane. Happy Mother's Day, cuz! Love ya.

Blondie's Journal said...

Ceekay~~~

This is such a wonderful and touching tribute to all of the women in your life that helped to make you who you are today. You are so blessed. Have a Happy Mother's Day, sweet friend!

xoxo
Janie

The Decorative Dreamer said...

Beautiful post! Thank you for sharing your story with us! God bless, and Happy Mother's Day!

Sandra said...

What a beautiful post! I see so many special women in your life. What a blessing:)
I know how you must have felt when your mom passed. I was only 21 when my mama passed and it was so hard on my two siblings and I.
I hope you have a wonderful Mother's Day full of love. :)
Blessings,
Sandra

Gayla said...

I have only known you a short while... and not really, of course... just through your blogs... but I see a bit of all these wonderful women in what I know of you. Isn't that wonderful? There used to be a religious song, "These are the Women I Came From." I don't know who sang it, but the title always made me do a mental roll call of my women in my life. Your post is a treasure, as are you! Hugs...

Anonymous said...

Hi Dear Ceekay! Oh, what a wonderful tribute to all these lovely ladies who have influenced your life. I'm sorry your mom passed away when you were so young. You do look like her! You have been an inspiration to me! Your faith, love for life and love for the Lord shines through. God bless you, Ceekay and I want to wish you a very Happy Mother's Day!
Be a sweetie,
Shelia ;)

Lisa said...

Cheekay,
I am crying reading your post. I am thinking of all the wonderful women in my own life, now gone. My sweet Mommy died on Mother's Day 2 years ago. Mother's Day is always bitter sweet for me now. You look just like your sweet Mama. I'll bet you hear that all the time. No wonder your so special, you had some great influence growing up. Happy Mother's Day. Lisa

Cottage Rose said...

OH Ceekay; What a beautiful and touching Mother's Day tribute,,too all the Lovely women in your life... How Blessed you are indeed.... I am so Blessed to have you as a dear friend...... Happy Mother's Day

Hugs;
Alaura

Unknown said...

OH! Happy Mother's Day to you CeeKay!
What a perfect tribute. All the women in our lives make us who we are. :)

~Liz

Rebecca said...

Good Morning and Happy Mothers Day!
You were so fortunate to have so many lovely women in your life! I didn't have any Aunts except one through marriage and she live far away. What a blessing...you are.
Rebecca

Patti said...

What a beautiful post Ceekay! You have and had some amazing women in your life and I am sure they feel the same! Have a wonderful Mother's Day!!! Enjoy!

Karen said...

All the women who made up lives - wouldn't it be fun to have them all in the same room again and spend the entire day chatting about everything you wished you'd asked but never did? The answers they would provide - how awesome! Someday . . .

Enjoy your day CeeKay.
LOVE YOU TONS!
Happy Mothers Day!
{{hugs!}} Karen

Rettabug said...

Honey, you are one of the BEST examples of how God wants us to live our lives. I feel honored to *know* you & have been amazed at the courage & grace you have exhibited throughout this ordeal.

I am SO glad you're here to celebrate Mothers Day & I loved your tribute to all the women in your life. Well done!

gentle Hugs,
Rett

Debbiedoos said...

What an awesome post...I love old family photos and you have some great ones to share. Hope you enjoyed your day, and thanks for stopping by and your kind comments.

{Bellamere Cottage} said...

So beautifully written....How wonderful that you had so many caring, special and loving women in your life.....they each gave something special to you....ahhh....and that's why you're so special....

So glad that you had such a wonderful Mother's Day....and just look at all of those fabulous gifts... :-) I love pressies too.

Huggies and Lovies!
Spencer

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