dear mothers, you inspire me

To mother (verb): to look after kindly and protectively.

I wish the dictionary had some spectacular definition describing a  mother, but all of the definitions fell short of who a mother truly is. However, the verb, to mother, embodies the person who I describe as a mother [i mean, if a mother could be described in six words].

This is for all of the mothers who look after their children, their families, the world. For those who look after kindly and protectively. You inspire me.

Some people are people watchers, I'm a mom watcher. I see moms in both public venues and in the privacy of their homes, and I observe. I observe when moms lose patience, get angry, give up, and take defeat. But I also observe: patience, kindness, discipline, playfulness, excitement, care, protectiveness, and love.

I wrote this a couple months ago,  but couldn't figure out how to end it. I couldn't figure out how express the impact of the mothers in my life. Your children make me a better person. They have shaped who I am today. They have taught me patience when I thought there was none left in me. They have taught me how to laugh in life without harming another person’s spirit. They have taught me how to make messes and get dirty, even when I’m wearing my nice clothes. But I see how you have shaped them. So in turn, it is you wonderful women who are making me a better person. You invest in my life. You care about my well-being. You tell me to text you when I get home after a late night of babysitting.  You give me the right medicine when I am sick. You ask me the hard questions about my life. You care about my spirit, my mind, my body. You have taken me into your families. You have mothered me when my mother was far away. 

You inspire me.

*I began to write this a couple months ago, but I didn't finish it. The mothers in my life during one of my hardest seasons, were so incredibly supportive and caring. Through many conversations, text messages, and  social media comments, I felt so loved. One day, I was overwhelmed with how much "my moms" invested in my life. After babysitting, I had a long conversation with one incredible mom. She had asked me how I really was doing, and in turn I told her. An hour later, my heart was full. Full of love, full of advice, full of stories, and most importantly full of how wonderful my God truly is. So I began to write this. Then recently, the world lost this wonderful woman, this inspirational, bright light, who loved the Lord with all her heart. So I finished what I started. 

Thank you Brenna for inspiring me, for investing in me, for caring for me, for mentoring me, for loving me, and for trusting me with your children. I wish you could read this, you are missed.