Today we celebrate Mother’s Day. Here is a beautiful photo of my mom, Mary Shank. Mom just turned 82 in February.
I am so grateful to have my mom here with all of my big, loud, loving family. She and my dad have been married since 1951, and they both really enjoy our family, their church, serving others, going to their home on Lake Erie in the summers, and doing things together.
Their energy is amazing!
My parents have 5 children, 16 grandchildren and 20 great grandchildren! Whenever we come in, my parents offer anyone food and something to drink. Iced tea, even in the winter is probably their favorite drink. Our home was the gathering place for all of our friends as we were growing up. Mom was always known for her homemade noodles she rolled out and left to dry on the table. She turned them into delicious chicken noodle soup! She taught all of us how to make them.
My mom has a beautiful singing voice, and has sung in the church choir since she was a teenager. She still sings in it today. Mom plays the piano and organ, and taught me a love of music. She is a speed reader and can read more than a 300 page book after dinner, before she goes to bed! Reading stories was a big thing in our family, along with Sunday night homemade popcorn. All things that came to us from my mom.
In January 2014, 8 of us from my family went to Europe, including mom and dad, for a trip of our lifetimes! Mom and dad walked and walked and walked everywhere we went. If you’ve ever been to Europe, you know you are walking on narrow, cobblestone streets much of the time. There is so much beauty and history everywhere you go, you don’t want to miss a thing!
I was amazed at both of my parents and how well they did on this 15 day trip!
My parents taught me about God, about love, about forgiveness, about family, about showing and telling people how we appreciate them, never go to bed angry with anyone, always make it right before you go to sleep, and many other things.
Family is very important, and even if there are disagreements, we all learned to forgive each other.
My mom lost her mother when she was just in her early twenties, of a sudden heart attack. My grandmother, who I never met, died in her sleep.
My mom found her in bed the next morning.
I am so fortunate to have my parents all of my life, and to have them be as healthy as they are. This is at the top of my list of things I appreciate!
I have had many tender moments with my mom over the years. I am the only child that moved away from Toledo, Ohio, my hometown. Therefore, I stay with mom and dad when I go to visit. I get all that precious time after everyone has gone home at night and in the morning when we are having breakfast and doing our inspirational readings.
My relationship with my mom has deepened as the years have gone on. As I learned to appreciate and love, more deeply, our relationship has grown. When I have needed my parents, they have always been there for me
There isn’t a time we talk on the phone, that my parents and I don’t say “I love you”.
So, as Mother’s Day comes this Sunday, and I am not with my mom in person, I know she knows how much I love and appreciate her.
I love you Mom, more than any words could ever express! Thank you for giving birth to me and raising me to help me be who I am today!
I wish for all of you, if you still have a mom here on earth, that you will find some way to express to her, how much you love and appreciate her too. If your mom has passed over, you can still send your love to her. I know somehow she will feel it!
Blessings to all of you,
Connie
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