My Mother My Soul

We all have our own vision of what a good mother is, and we could all share those special stories.  Perhaps your mom had a great sense of humor, sewed your clothes, maybe she was the best cook or baker, or possibly you could bend her ear, and she would listen.....not only hear but listen.  Of course my mom was all of those and then some, minus the sewing of the clothes.  She did, however, have the best friend who sewed clothes for her and my little sister.  What a bonus!  She could also run cars off the road with her crazy way of driving.....not on purpose, of course.  Her tunnel vision on the road led to many a stories where all of kids would laugh at her unintentional behavior.  With a loving innocence she was mortified  knowing her actions led to someone elses car driving off the road.  Her assertiveness with returning purchased items brought embarrassment from childish eyes; however, it pushed me to stand up for myself as a mother in today's consumer world.  What made my mom stand apart, amongst the rest of the great moms of America was her innate quality of making you feel right at home and comfortable in your own skin.  Whether you were her biological child or one she adopted through her kids' friends, her smile welcomed you into our home like you were one of her own.  Betty had a way of making you feel that she was there to protect you and no one was going to mess with her kids, but you never wanted to cross her.  She was a lion with a pussy cat touch, trying to make everything just right.......from our tidied house to the decadent meals to her stylish clothes.  She loved laughter and entertaining and pleasing our dad.  Without a doubt, I felt her love for my dad, and I hope I can pass along her passion, her soul, her spirit to my kids.  When the world would find a way to beat you down, my mom would pick you up and send you on your way.

Being a mother of three, I've gained a whole new respect for my mother who raised five of us, and many of my childhood years, she did it alone and while being sick.  As we have all said in the family, "We turned out okay......" (atleast we think so)  It is she who empowered and encouraged us.  We  were her souls from heaven that she guided in this earthly life.  It was she who would bring the joy of cooking into our home, giving us reasons to laugh, giving us hope for all the good aspects of life and living.  I wouldn't have the faith in God as I do without her example as a mother.  She gave me the reason to believe, leading us through painful experiences as well as the celebrations of life. It is in all the pieces of life that we find our soul and reason for being. On this mother's day, as I walked the Komen Race, thinking of my sister, reflecting on the life I had with my mother and watching Maria and Faith skipping along the walking trail, I gave thanks.  Thanks to God for the joy two young souls will share with one another, thanks for the influences of my sister, Chrissy, as well as my mother.  Thank you God for my mother, my grandmother, my sister and my friend who helped me become the person I am.  Our souls are forever connected, forever one, made possible by the grace of God.  To all the mothers on this day:  you are who you are by the love of your mother.  On this day, I give thanks to my mother, my soul. 


Soul of my soul, you are in me and I in you,
connected by another soul who is
our mother.
Soul of my soul, we are one,
like the the seed that is planted
and grows into another.
Sister of my heart, your seed is
planted in me.
Like the drops of rain, you can barely
separate them as they mix,
forming the waters of this earth,
they blend into one.
Soul of my soul, you have blended with me
and I in you.