The Devotion and Courage of a Mom

Mom—self-sacrificing and loyal, loving unconditionally, a well of renewing patience.

Daughter, mother, grandmother…generations of gifts passed on and lessons learned.

From my great-grandma, who never said an unkind word about anyone, ever, and whose faith in God was quiet and steady. She treasured a ceramic crucifix that hung on the wall of her tiny cottage and knew her Bible.

From my grandma, lover of flowers and gardens, who taught me how to make chicken and dumplings.

From Mom, whose heroism and sacrifices I accepted as a child, but only understood when I became a mother and grandmother, and owe endless gratitude.

Those gifts were inherited by my spitfire, compassionate, bold, and loving daughter, Anne. On Mother’s Day, I decided to celebrate her as a mother.

I’ve shared memories of Mom on other Mother’s Day holidays, or when a memory triggered her hard work and talents, so what better way to commemorate her lessons than to demonstrate her gifts in another generation.

Mom was timid and sweet as a child, and developed courage on behalf of her husband and children.

Anne was born with a fierce desire to live well and fully. She charged into this world from a difficult birth and never looked back. As a baby, she tasted everything we ate and developed an appetite for fine cuisine. Sociable by nature, she was willing to go anywhere, meet everyone, and absorbed the world around her with that adventurous spirit.

On her first day of kindergarten, she marched into the classroom with a backward wave to her sobbing mother, ready to experience the new setting.

She brought that spirit into every choice she made, and taught it to her daughter.

Anne’s heart is as encompassing as her determination. Kind and faithful to friends, animals, and anyone in need, she’s a source of wisdom and encouragement. Her children adore her. Ask them. Mom knows everything and can do anything.

She does. And can.

She taught herself to cook, knit, crochet, sew, and stood out on every job. Like my mother. Went back to school as an adult, earning a Bachelor’s from Clemson University to work with neglected and abused children, and troubled families. Her compassion and courage made a difference to countless.

She's available to her children and grandchildren without hesitation. They stay with her, thrive in her company, learn from her actions, bloom in her devotion.

I believe Anne can do anything, too.

She grew up in the Heights, in the same house where I was a child. Celebrated the same Halloween customs and fall festivals. Loved our community as I did and surpassed me in courage and accomplishments.

If a mother is defined as a loving, unselfish woman willing to sacrifice personal wants and needs for her children, who works hard to pass on knowledge and abilities to children for fulfilling lives, each one deserves more than one day a year to be honored.

Anne is all of that, and Mom would be even more proud of her now.

As I am.

Happy Mother’s Day, Mom.

Happy Mother’s Day, Anne.

And I won’t forget my spirited, loving granddaughter—Happy Mother’s Day, Katie.

And to all mothers everywhere, here or beyond.

You define heroism and devotion.

Blessings on you all.