Monday, May 6, 2019

A Mother's Day Message For Nel and Jess

Now that my daughters are raising children of their own, they are feeling all the deep emotions of motherhood, and with that comes utter joy to complete exhaustion. 
 
Nel sent me a couple pictures recently, and in her own words she said, "I thought these two pictures pretty much sum up my transition to motherhood this semester.  The first is the beautiful view from my campus office...and the second is the view where I've actually been working for the last four months haha."
 
 
 
Nel and Jess, I never told you this story, and thought it was a good time to share it with you....
 
One day, I was out grocery shopping.  I had my kids with me, and I was a bit frazzled running around taking care of things.  It must have shown on my face because a polite woman spoke a few words to me.  She was an attractive lady with dark brown hair.  She was in her 50's or 60's, and with a peaceful smile she looked at me and said, "this is the best time of your life."  I didn't know what she meant or why she said that to me, but I do now.
 
Oh, I remember the days well, but I was younger, I had more energy.  But there's something to be said about a mom in her 20's taking care of a baby also.  When many 21 year olds are out wildly celebrating their special day, I was home nursing you, Nel.  But you were my best friend - what more could I want?
 
 
And you were my Yummy.
(Jess' nickname).
 
 
I do remember how tiring it was to keep up
with small children.
 
Sometimes they crawl
in the most unlikely places.
 
 
They mischievously get into
the diaper wipes.
 
 
They spill milk all over themselves.
 
 
Just when you think they're
taking a nap,
you walk in the room and see this.
 
 
This little girl loves to play
dress up.
 
 
And Jess, you did too.
 
 
How incredible it is that
they trust you with everything.
 
 
They eat their own cupcake, and want some of yours.
 
 
And when you're tired and teary-eyed from the long day's work and being around unappreciative and thankless adults, you get a precious smile like this, reminding you just how important and loved you are.
 
 
"They know me in a way no one ever has.  They open me to things I never knew existed.  They drive me to insanity and push me to my depths.  They are the beat of my heart, the pulse of my veins, and the energy in my soul -
they are my kids." ~unknown
 
Danelle and Jessica, thank you for being good mothers to my grandbabies.  And just like the woman I ran into many years ago, this dark haired woman in her 50's, with a peaceful smile on her face is telling you the same thing...."this is the best time of your life."



Happy Mother's Day!


32 comments:

Sandi said...

"She was in her 50's or 60's, and with a peaceful smile she looked at me and said, "this is the best time of your life."

:-)

She wasn't kidding, was she?

It's me said...

❤️🍀❤️🍀❤️🍀❤️🍀❤️. Love Ria 💋💋💋

Debbie Nolan said...

Ah Sheri - such a lovely post filled with the perfect words for Mother's Day. Thanks for sharing your wonderful wisdom. Hugs!

Carla from The River said...

Sheri,
This post was perfect. It brought tears.. they grow up so fast.
This is a special Mother's Day for me. Sam will be flying back to Wisconsin on Thursday.
xx oo
Carla

Karen said...

What a lovely post!! Your daughters and granddaughters are beautiful. I know you are so thankful for them. I love those photos and sweet smiles. Have a wonderful Mother's Day.

Pilar said...

Such beautiful photos Sheri! Your words are the perfect expression of love for Mother's Day. Wishing you, Jess, and Nel a wonderful upcoming Mother's Day :)

Louca por porcelana said...

Oh my!Absolutely wonderful post,Sheri...To be a mother is divine...Imagine a Grandmother!I love my Mom much more after that!Adorable post!

Jeanie said...

This post is simply exquisite, Sheri. You couldn't have said words better in any other way. Wishing you all a beautiful Mother's Day.

~Lavender Dreamer~ said...

Oh my...you have me teared up reading this! I was so young when I had my boys but I sure did enjoy that time. I played with them..even when they were teens. I played basketball and rode bikes with them. I'm glad now that I was young enough to enjoy it all. It's wonderful to have so many memories and watch them enjoy this time in their lives with their little ones. Thanks for a beautiful post my friend. You've made me happy through my tears! Hugs, Diane

Susie Swanson said...

Awe, what a sweet and precious post my sweet friend and so true. I remember my mom telling me the same thing when I was 19 years old and had my sweet son. This brought tears to my eyes along with the sweet photos. hugs and Happy Mother's Day to you and your daughters. xo

Chatty Crone said...

This was just a beautiful, beautiful blog. It meant so much to me just reading it - I just know your daughters will love it - and understand it - they will understand it on one level now and another level in 20 years. You know what I mean? It is so true - this is the best time. Happy mother's day to all!
sandie

nonie everythingsewing said...

How beautiful and touching. There is nothing better then being a mom.

Nonie

Rose said...

Oh, Sheri, if I wasn't sitting here with Roger, I would be in tears. It stresses him to see me cry, even when it is just over something beautiful. I often look at Sarah and wish I had had her for my mom...honest to goodness...she is such a good mom, and her sister is so good with Lorelei...they are both so much better at mothering than I ever was. But I did and do still love them with every ounce of my being.

The Joy of Home with Martha Ellen said...

Sheri, your girls are so lucky to have such a sweet mother. I just love this post and all the pretty photos of your girls as children and your grandchildren. It all happens so quickly. You are so right, my friend. Those are the best days. Have a great mother's day.

Susan said...

Awwwwww, that was a sweet post, Sheri. Bet your girls loved it, too. You are such a kind, loving, and thoughtful Mom and Grammie. Hope YOUR Mother's Day is super, too. Hugs. Susan

Laurel Wood said...

Sheri, Such a sweet post. You are blessed with beautiful daughters and granddaughters. Treasure every day. xo

Castles Crowns and Cottages said...

Hello dear, dear friend.

I have no children, but I do have lots of students. Seeing your photos and writing has reminded me of how different the perspectives are of mothers and teachers. As a teacher, I want and actually need order, so when children are just being children, it's hard for me to allow that. However, how important it is to let them be themselves! Oh how little I know about being a woman...God bless you all on this bittersweet celebration.

lian said...

olá Sheri:
seus posts são sempre muito lindos !!
adorei a mensagem.
Um Lar , está nos planos de Deus !
e as mulheres tem este dom de transformar uma casa em um Lar.
POr isso deve ser o melhor tempo de sua vida.
É o tempo que você soube valorizar , pois era único, para que o amor florescesse !
Parabéns por sua linda família, o amor floresceu e trouxe tantas bençãos para você !
grande abraço.
:o)

Marilyn Miller said...

What a precious Mother's Day blessing to your daughters. Love the quote and your words, they are all extra special.

Susie said...

Sheri, I love this post...love it. I absolutely love what that lady said to you. I once said in front of my father in law, "I will be glad when the twins(my youngest) are out of diapers and off the bottle."...my father in law said, "Don't wish your life away." Oh, I can not tell you how many times that has popped into my thoughts...he was so right..it went by too quickly. Some times young people get caught up in the hustle bustle of it all...when they need to just life and love it, while the babies are small and still with them. Blessings to you my sweet friend, love you, xoxo, Susie
p.s. Happy Mother's day to you and your daughters too.

Kelly-Anne ♥ The Diary of a Country Girl said...

Oh, Sheri...what a beautiful post, something your daughters will treasure. I absolutely love what you shared about your motherhood journey... So sweet and special!
Blessings to you!

baili said...

i don't know why but i can't hold my tears falling through my eyes so i pushed the keyboard little further dear Sheri!

this is AWARD WINNING POST i must say !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

you have amazing skill to speak your beautiful mind Sheri :) and words that come from your lovely heart go straight into my my heart
they touch my soul!

thank you for such treasure post my friend !

yes motherhood is most precious state for a woman and only she can feel it that how the whole world and life turn into completely different way for her when she becomes a MOM!

i believe that peace and beauty of this world is related to such wonderful mothers :)

How can we thank our creator enough for sending such BEST TIMES in our life !

hugs and more and more blessings to you my dear Sheri!

you have serene precious face that reflects your kind gentle soul's beauty and warmth!

and these cute images enlightened my horizons !

Pilar said...

You're welcome Sheri! This was such a sweet post. Just like you with your daughters, I'm close to my mom as well! Oh btw, I was shared a mental health awareness post on the blog.

The Liberty Belle said...

These photographs are just precious! There's nothing quite like motherhood. It is simultaneously the most wonderfully fulfilling experience and the most challenging.

Debby Ray said...

Oh my Sheri...what a most beautiful and heartfelt post to your dear daughters. Surely they must have bawled their eyes out when they read this! If that doesn't make them know how special they are now that they are mothers, nothing will...what a gift this was to them from you! And may I now wish all three of you...Happy, Happy Mother's Day! ♥♥♥

Vicky Cahyagi said...

Your photo was memorable and every photo has long story. Yes, the photos about your daughters, so you made great article about your daughters. Happy Mother's day. I follow your blog now. Thx

Lowcarb team member said...

What a beautiful post.
Happy Mothers Day to all.

All the best Jan

Jemma@athomewithjemma said...

Hello Dear Sheri and Girls!
Wishing you all a lovely, sweet and happy Mother's Day. You are all just as precious as you can be and the love and respect that you have for each other and these children warms my heart and soul. I see so much joy and so much goodness.
Being a Mother & Grandmother has been the best part of my life and thank you for sharing your love of Motherhood with us!
With love,
Jemma

Pam said...

What a sweet post that is. Your girls are lucky to have you, the memories you show and the knowledge you have to share. I think you have raised some amazing girls and they too will go through a lot of what you did. Having you there will help to make those rough times better.

Coloring Outside the Lines said...

Oh it surely is the best time! Althought ...my grandbabies were pretty sweet to hold and rock. Now I have to wait for great grands, but it won't be long! I hope you had a wonderful Mother's Day!

busyandfab said...

This is so sweet, hope you had a wonderful Mother's Day celebration. We were out of town with my boys and my mum, it's a bit hard dragging my elderly mum around and with a pre-schooler as well but it was the only way and I'm happy I had my Sunday like that. Thanks for the inspiration that it's the best time of my life, so good to see your blog again.

Mercy
www.busyandfab.com

TARYTERRE said...

what a lovely tribute to motherhood. it brought tears to my eyes. happy belated mothers day to the three of you.