Happy Mother's Day!

Since losing my Mom I have really struggled with Mother's Day.  It has not been a day of peace for me but a day of mourning. I have mourned the loss of my Mom--especially when I was with my niece and nephews.   I have struggled with my dream of being a wife and a mom not being realized.  

But...I'm sure you were sensing there's a but coming...this year is different.  I'll start with Friday.

On Friday I had the privilege of sharing one of my PLN friends with my school for the first time.  Cheryl Fisher came to our school Friday with her guide dog Sanka and her husband Ed and inspired our TK-2 grade students with her stories, her joy, and her faith.  I'm still floating from the experience, and I hope many more teachers are able to have this same experience with their class.  The expressions on their faces and their attentiveness during her talks were priceless gifts.  Those of us who have taught for any length of time know what an amazing accomplishment that is in the month of May:)

On Saturday I had the privilege of attending Mass to see many of my students from last year receive their first Holy Communion.  These Masses always remind me of how blessed I am to be able to share my faith with my students.  Watching these children make their public commitment to Christ inspires me.  I am grateful that I am able to share how Jesus has helped me with challenges I've faced and the loss of loved ones in my life.  When I made the decision to financially risk going back to school to switching careers the one thing I was certain of was that God wanted me in a faith based school.  My Mom was one of the few people who understood my certainty.  Yesterday I was reminded of why I listened to that still small Voice.

Today I am looking forward to worshipping with my small but strong church family.  I can't explain the peace I feel this morning as anything other than His perfect peace.  Last Sunday I officially became a member, and it felt like I was finally home.  Since losing my Mom I think I had felt I was spiritually homeless.  Since discovering my church, my village, I am finally home.  

Imagining what my Mom would say to me today:

"Ellen, enjoy this beautiful day.  My love for you is still with you.  Hug your brother and my grandkids for me.  Work hard till your principal tells you this school year is complete, savor your summer, and celebrate the small miracles you are given each day.  You are more blessed than you can see, expect the unexpected, and remember Honey, with God all things are possible!"

Happy Mother's Day, Mom! I love you!

P.S.  The first photo is of my Mom as a child at the Jersey shore.