Mother's Day

Today is Mother's Day. In church, the pastor used a passage in Deuteronomy where Moses was giving his final instructions to the children of Israel before they entered the promised land. Basically, it was to remember the Lord and all He had done for them. It is similar to what we do as parents when we send our own children out to live on their own--we tell them to remember all we put into them so they will be successful and moral individuals. Well today, we are to remember our mother's. I am happy to report, all of my boys called me to wish me a Happy Mother's Day...so they remembered.

I wish I could say I remember my mother. I was so young when she died, that I do not remember her. Lately, I have reflected on what it must have been like to be a child that young and loose your mother. I guess I think about it because my own grandchild are close to the age I was when I lost her. (I had just turned three.) I had never really thought about it before until I had grandchildren. I don't remember thinking about it much when my own kids were that age--probably because I was too busy with them. So today I am remembering her. I don't think I look too much like her except for my nose and I must have gotten my green eyes from her since my dad's are blue. I don't have very many pictures of her, but I do have a few that I treasure.

My mother: Mildred VanDomelen Norcross

My Parents on their wedding day: Fred S. and Mildred Norcross

I think I look more like my father than my mother. I have noticed I have some of the same facial expressions as he did. Those who knew us when were little, said I look like my father.

My brother, Tom, and me with my mother

Today, I also remember Warren's mother, Katie. When she was alive, I always thanked her on Mother's day for raising Warren like she did. He is a fantastic husband and a great father, and I know it was at home that he got his roots.

And I also want to say I am so grateful to God for allowing me to be a mother. I think it was motherhood that brought me the greatest satisfaction in my life. I loved every stage my children when through and even remember wishing I could hold on to certain moments, but we cannot, they grow into the next stage. As I am going through old pictures for the DVD for Mark and Amber's upcoming wedding, I have had a lot of trips down memory lane. I am very proud of each of the boys.

I would like to share some memories I have of my boys helping me.

Ian: I broke my arm when everyone was away. Mark was at NMMI, Warren and Luke had gone to a Promise Keeper weekend for men in Washington, DC. Ian was the only one who could help me. He came over to make sure I was situated when I finally came home from the ER. He did little things for me that I could not do myself.

Zach: When I travel through DFW, I stop by TGIFriday's to see Zach. He always feeds me well and sends me on my way.

Mark: I had to go to California when Warren's brother, David, died to clean out his apartment. Mark was between jobs, so he could come spend a little time with me. When he arrived at David's apartment, he was appalled at the mess. He said to me, "You're not staying here are you?" I told him, no, but I did not like where I was staying, which was not much better. He told me he would find a hotel close by and book it for me. He was true to his word. I so appreciated him taking care of me. He, also, was the one who drove me everywhere when my arm was broken. He was learning how to drive, so it worked well for both of us.

Luke: When I go to visit Luke and Jordan, we do some fun things...Luke takes care of me by showing me a good time. When we go out to eat, we have to eat dessert first. (just to make sure we have room for it). We take in a baseball game... I love baseball...and we go to all the fun plant stores or gardens...so I can see the flowers and collect seeds. I have yet to get him to stop to gather seeds on the Interstate highways though...maybe one of these days.

I love being a Mom, and Warren keeps telling the boys, I will always "mom" them, so get used to it. I love my family! I had a great mother's day...well, except for when I stepped on a nail. That was not too pleasant.

I am most thankful that I have daughters-in-law who love my boys.