A Beautiful Quilt from a Beautiful Mother

Every year I try to find the words to express the love I have for my mom. I struggle in vain to paint a picture of her life in words. It always comes up out of focus, and not quite what I wanted to say. She is such a beautiful woman inside and out and has such a desire to help others and live for Jesus. She would do anything for anyone if she truly believed it will help them in some way.

She and my dad, who is wonderful too, raised the five of us kids, along with three foster kids. There were other children that lived with us for little bits of time while their lives for what ever reason was out of its normal sync, and they needed a loving place to land for a while. My mom took care of different senior adults, family members, and some that weren't, not because it was her job, or for any financial benefit, but just because she cared.

When she and my dad had a business, she had a way of getting into the heart of a person in a short amount of time. People who just walked in to look around or buy something would find themselves confiding in her, and would often come back just to seek her council or prayer. She is a prayer warrior for sure, and I'm sure there were many times she prayed for people's problems longer than they did themselves.

She can't do everything she would like to physically at this time. She's had a few health problems lately and her body, which has always been strong, is not as quick to back up her intentions as it once was, but we hope that will turn around soon. However, it hasn't stopped her from doing what she can for others.

I've always wanted to be the kind of mother she is. I know I'll never live up to that. I want to be a daughter that makes she and Daddy proud. That's a little easier goal, because they are proud of me without me having to earn it, but still, I want to live up to their ideals.

I am truly blessed and just to show my mom's special kind of love... while she has been feeling very poorly, she's been working to make this beautiful, hand embroidered quilt for me. Isn't it gorgeous?? Not only is it a thing of beauty, but I can just feel her love surrounding me every time I wrap it around myself. It will be like being hugged in a way only a mother can hug you as you drift off to sleep, and I'll bet I'll sleep just like a baby under it, content and full of the warmth only love can bring.