Forever Mother. National Photo Month, Day 13

Mom and me in 1954. Mom made both of our dresses in this photo. She was an accomplished seamstress.

When I became pregnant with my daughter--my first--I was 29. I had a career. I had hobbies and interests--I was occupied with hiking, biking, fishing, gardening, photography, sewing, crafting and frequenting auctions, estate sales and garage sales. 

I recall telling my mom that I hoped things wouldn't change too much after children. To this day, I remember her words:  "Once a mother, always a mother. You can never go back." 

So true. Our three children are grown--scattered around the country. They're all doing their own thing, as I did at their age. None is married. All are in relationships.

I love my children. I'm proud of them. I will stand by them always. Mom was right. No matter that they're adults now. I can never go back. I will always be their mother.

I lost my mom in 2006. Sometime after I started blogging, I began to connect the dots. It became clear to me that who I am at my core and who I have developed into was no accident. Sure, the genetics could be considered a happy accident. But the nurture part was BIG.

On this Mother's Day, I am sharing something I wrote about my mother after she passed on. If you follow my blog, you, too, might recognize some of her influences on me.

Our Mom

She was an only child, a farmer’s daughter

She was born in Minden, Neb., home of Harold Warp’s Pioneer Village

On the farm, she milked cows, dressed chickens and slopped hogs

And, she churned butter, baked bread and washed laundry by hand

When we were girls, Mom was our Girl Scout and 4-H leader

She always loved nature, respected the environment and taught us to do the same

She liked to tent camp when we were kids

She loved the mountains of Colorado, but was afraid of heights

By choice, she became a working mom long before it was fashionable

Still, she made time to sew stunning Barbie clothes and prom dresses (and many other great things)

She taught us to cook and bake (that didn't stick for me)

She always enjoyed traveling, especially with her children and grandchildren

As an empty nester, she took up tole painting and became quite an artist

She lost her dad early in her adulthood and took loving care of her mom until her mom died

She let her creativity shine through in her daily life

She passionately watched birds and had a special fondness for cardinals and hummingbirds

She didn’t like snakes!

She taught us to believe in ourselves and to make our own decisions

She tackled every challenge head on

Throughout her life, she remained a voice of reason

For as long as she could, she gave back to the community as a volunteer

She deeply loved our dad, her two girls, our husbands and all of her grandchildren

But, she never meddled in our lives

She was unique and special and she was ours

Footnote:  My one sibling, my dear sister, is as much a reflection of our mother as I am. We are a couple of lucky women, indeed, to have such a wonderful role model and mother.

Make it a great Mother's Day!

Linking to:

Sunday Blog Love
Sunday's Best
Sister Sunday Link Party