I Have a Daughter...

Annie and her little Miss Em...
In 1980 when Annie was three, Carole Melvin put together the program for the Mother Daughter Tea at Sunkist. She gave me the words to a song she wrote called "I Have a Daughter." I practiced and practiced, and the plan was Annie would sit in my lap while I rocked her in a rocking chair and sang the song... The only part of the words I remember are, "I have a daughter who's looking to me, as an example of what she should be..." I remember thinking that those words would either come back to haunt me, or I would live up to them. I wasn't at all sure I had what it took to raise a daughter living out the example that God intended me to be for her. Now, as I reflect on her birthday today, I know how I have failed in so many ways. At the same time, I stand amazed that God has given such grace in that the woman that she has become is living out an example to her own very precious and silly little girl, Miss Em. Annie is a Godly woman and tries so hard to do what is right by her family. She is everything I would have wanted to be for her... God is so good, and I am so blessed to have her in my life, as an example now to me, and to those she is privileged to care for. Oh, during the song I sang to her in 1980, she was absolutely adorable, with all those bouncing ringlets, enjoying her moment and the oohs and awws of the audience as she wiggled and squirmed in my lap!

Happy birthday darling Annie.

15 Reasons...

There are 15 fabulous reasons why I love Miss Penny Jane Martin!
1. She is my firstborn grandchild...and brought peace and joy to her family with her birth...
2. She is unafraid...to sing, to dance, to laugh, to cry...
3. She is willing to share...her locks, her gum, her dolls, her room, her life...
4. She is a submissive daughter...
5. She loves to dance...
6. She loves Jesus...
7. She loves to Praise Him...
8. She is diligent in all her pursuits...
9. She is sweet to her younger brother almost always...
10. She is bright...
11. She loves to read...
12. She accepts "no"...
13. She is full of joy when the answer is "yes"...
14. She cares about old people...
15. She is sweet to her younger cousins...

Happy birthday precious Penny!!!

Happy Mother's Day

March 23, 2010

Dear Friends, Loved Ones,

I think Mother's Day is an emotional day. Some have lost their mothers that were a constant loving force in their lives. Some had Mom's that were not shining examples of what we believe instinctively that Mom's should be. Some have heartache over not having been blessed with children. Some have lost a child and Mother's Day is a very lonely day. Some are raising their children's children. Some are raising their children alone, without the help of a loving supportive spouse. Some have children who have immeasurably blessed their lives. And some are in the trenches taking care of their little ones with little sleep, doing without, and wonder if they will ever catch up!

Today, I honor my own precious mother, my sister, and all those women, Grandmother's, Aunties, dear friends, cousins, sisters-in-laws, and of course, the four Judith Anne's, who have influenced me so over the years, including my daughters-in-law and my own wonderful daughter, and even my five little (and big) grand-daughters.

I was blessed this morning by listening to this little 7-year old girl, Rhema, who lost her Mama a year ago. She sings her heart out...I hope it blesses you, no matter where your own heart and circumstances are this Mother's Day.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PIQl6ygRqhw&feature=related
Love,
Becky