The first time I listened to this song–really listened–I cried. Not the big blubbery emotionally-manipulative-country-song kind of crying. The kind when you hear truth and you know it and your heart is so full and it sort of leaks out your eyes just a little bit. It’s a beautiful song, but it’s this bit that gets me every time:
And she’s chosen to believe in the hymns her mother sings
By most standards, my mother has lived a quiet life. Many of her endless numbered days have been spent rocking sleepy infants or chasing screaming toddlers, shuttling children to and from school and practices and friends’ houses and summer jobs, running my father’s businesses from her home office, balancing too-small budgets to make sure bills were paid and each high school graduate could attend college, mailing out innumerable care packages and wedding invitations and Christmas cards and thank you notes, driving countless hours to comfort heartbroken children or snuggle newborn grandbabies, collapsing exhausted into bed at the end of each busy day with a heart full of that strange combination of worry and gratitude that is mother-love.
She lives this quiet yet busy life with courage and generosity, humor and kindness. She acts with confidence, admits defeat and discouragement at times, but always moves forward in humility and faith.
This, all this, is why those lyrics move me to tears. Because her life is the hymn my mother sings. And I choose to believe.
Happy Mothers’ Day to all the women who give us something to believe in.
Amen, and amen. She is indeed an amazing and inspiring mother. We have big shoes to fill, dear sister. I love you. Happy Mothers' Day.
My goodness, your mother is beautiful. As was this post. Made me blink furiously at the end.
Emily: Thankfully we've got a good example to learn from. Love you too.
LJ: Isn't she though? And thanks.
I feel so honored, and humble. My eyes are leaking. . . a lot.
Yes, well, I love you…a lot. So there.
I dont even have a comment to add. Everything that needed to be said was said in this post. Mom is someone I will always look up to on how to be the perfect mother. I agree that we do have big shoes to fill. I hope you had a happy mother's day. You are an amazing mother too. Love you.
Love you too, sister. You're a pretty dang good mama yourself!
Every time I see this picture I have to double take to make sure it is indeed Terry with the babes and not Mary. Every. Time.
Poor Mila is going to be so confused as she gets older. Which grandma is which?