My Mother’s Mirror

Many years ago my husband and I purchased an old dresser at an estate auction. It was in need of refinishing and the mirror was somewhat distorted and had lost some of it’s silver. Still, it is one of my favorite pieces of furniture in our home.

As I walked past it the other day a memory came to my mind. I heard my grandmother’s voice say, “You look just like your mother.” At the time that she said that I was a young girl and I didn’t see any resemblance.  That was until I graduated from high school. There was a wall in the living room at my parents farm where everyone’s high school graduation picture hung. My parents black and white photos were at the top. Then, one by one, in the order of our birth, my sibling’s and I had our graduation pictures added. When my picture was hung it was then that I realized I really did look a lot like my mom.

Growing up in my family Mother’s Day was a really big deal. Every year my parent’s church hosted a mother-daughter breakfast. After service mom, my sisters and I, my sister-in-law and nieces all went down to the church basement for one of the best breakfasts ever served. The men of the congregation whipped up scrambled eggs and sausage links. There was always a huge plate of fresh pastries from the local bakery and a fruit of some kind. The smell of fresh brewed coffee filled the air. Somehow, even the orange juice tasted better. In the 1960’s and 1970’s we did not eat out that often so, for us, it was a really special occasion. But, the breakfast was only the beginning to this most wonderful day. When we got back to the farm we had mom open her gifts. On a couple of occasions I gave Mom a cherry tree and a flowering crabapple tree. Most of the afternoon we spent time in Mom’s garden.

Beyond our physical resemblance my mother and I shared a love for gardening. The bulk of our conversations over the years was centered around the flowers we were growing or gardening challenges we were facing. In my mind’s eye I can still see Mom’s flower garden. The back border was always a row of hollyhocks or gladiolas. She had several types of sedum’s, zinnias, iris’s and a bluebell from her mother’s garden. The front was edged with light purple and red creeping phlox.

My mother went home to be with The Lord several years ago now. The more time goes on I really see how much alike we really were. I laugh at myself as I pick up my bottle of vinegar water to clean windows and wipe them with a piece of newspaper because that is how Mom did it. I almost always make an evening meal big enough for left overs so there will be at least one night of the week I won”t have to cook..Mom did that. I freeze the carcass of the Thanksgiving turkey so that I can make a base for soup on another day..Mom did that. I keep my geraniums over winter every year instead of letting them die in the fall frost…Mom did that. When I’m dividing plants in my garden I share them with family and friends instead of throwing them away..Mom did that.

There is something else Mom always did…she prayed. She believed that Jesus Christ was the son of God, born of a virgin. She believed that He died on a cross and rose again three days later. She believed that He is still alive today. Whenever something came up, whether it was a need, tragedy, or something as simple as a lost item..Mom prayed. Her actions taught us all one simple but vital lesson for our lives…the answer to everything… is prayer. As a child I heard her say virtually every night of my life, “Say your prayers to Jesus, Honey.”

That simple truth has become her legacy. It is the foundation that I have built my life on.

Now that I am older and my children are grown, I wonder what they would say my legacy was? Did they know that I loved them more than words could ever express? Did I teach them that the only real peace, strength, and contentment is found in Jesus Christ and in Him alone? Will they laugh as they catch themselves saying or doing something I used to? Will they say that their life is better because I was part of it?

How about you, my Friends? You may not have biological children, but, all of us should have spiritual children. Who have you poured your life into? Who have you impacted for the Gospel by living a Godly life in front of them? What is your legacy?

Although I miss Mom; this Mother’s Day I will spend time in my garden and think of her. I will smile as I try to imagine the flowers that she gets to enjoy today. I’ll laugh as I think of the glad reunion that she is having with my dad and two of my siblings. And I will whisper the prayer, “Thank you, Jesus, for allowing me to be called her daughter.” I will seek God the rest of my days here on this planet being her mirror; an image of her…only better. Because each generation should be better if the previous has done their job correctly. And when the day comes that I finally get to go home..the mirror will continue on in my children and grandchildren.

Thank you, Mom, Happy Mother’s Day..I’ll see you soon.