Josiah is non verbal. He has never spoken a complete sentence. He doesn’t frequently say anything remotely decipherable. At times he makes vocalizations. I’ve heard him utter something that sounds a little like ‘mom’ if you listen close enough. I love when he makes those vocalizations. It’s not often.

But Josiah does not need words to let me know how much he loves me. It is evident by the way he lights up when I enter the room. It’s obvious when he crawls up into my lap and wraps his little arm around my neck. It’s very apparent when he smiles that smile of his that fills his whole face and fills my heart with joy. That’s enough for me. I however, do have a voice. Today I will use it to honor my mom. She is after all, rather amazing!

My mom is the one who taught me about love. She loves and cares for everyone. Everyone loves her back. She is a hugger. I used to warn my friends, “When you meet my mom, she will hug you.” And she always did. It’s one of the things I love about her. I’m a hugger now too.

My mom is a selfless caregiver. She takes care of people. She always has. She always will. My first realization of this occurred when I was quite young. My mom would get my 3 older siblings off to school and then she and I would drive over to my grandparent’s house. My mom took care of her mom who had crippling arthritis. My grandmother was bedridden. My mom took care of her. My mom took care of me. My mom took care of my siblings when they returned home from school. My mom kept our house spotless. And my mom put dinner on the table for her family every night.

It amazes me she did so much for others and so very little for herself. Neither she nor I realized it at the time, but she was modeling for me how to be the kind of mother I would someday have to be. She taught me it is more blessed to give than to receive. She taught me that giving brings joy. She taught me to serve. It’s one of the things I love about her.

My mom was very involved in the lives of all of us children. She went to PTA meetings. She went to Little League games. She went on class field trips. She was our Girl Scout leader. She planned fun camping trips for our family. She sewed matching outfits for my sister and me when we were little. She made amazing homemade fudge. My mom did it all. She was always there for us. It’s one of the things I love about her.

One of my favorite memories is riding the bus with my mom after a long field trip back to school. I was probably 7 or 8. I snuggled up next to my mom and fell asleep in her lap. I don’t even remember where we went on that field trip. But I remember thinking I was so lucky to have my mom with me. I remember feeling very special. I remember feeling loved.

People used to ask me what I wanted to be when I grew up. I will never forget my answer. It was always the same. “I want to have 5 children. I want to stay home and bake bread. I want to sew clothes.” Not ambitious goals by many standards. But for me they were lofty. My mom had set the bar high. She had sacrificed for her family for many years. She had done it all with love. She had done it all with joy. She had taught me to want to do the same.

My mom is still caring for others. She works part time at the church. She volunteered with hospice for many years. She knitted sweaters for preemies in hospitals. She has a listening ear when someone is hurting and needs to talk. She has a heart full of compassion. My mom is always looking for ways to help others. It’s one of the things I love about her.

My mom is a blessing in my life. She is still always there when I need her. I am very grateful God picked her to be my mother. I love her immensely.

If you know someone in the hospital, bring them a fleece blanket. If you know someone who has a child with a disability, offer to babysit their child. If your mother is still in your life, let her know how much you love her.

Happy Mother’s Day Mom. Thanks for being such a wonderful example in my life. Thanks for giving so much of yourself to all of us, never expecting much in return. I know it’s not always been easy. I know you sacrificed a lot for your family. I know given the opportunity, you’d do it all over again.

I for one am very grateful and so appreciative for all you have done. You’re the best. I love you. Happy Mother’s Day.