Early Mother's Day Thankfulness

Today, I pause to say "I love you", Mom.

Some nine years ago, we nearly lost her due to complications in breathing after repeated bouts with sinus infections that descended into her lungs.  She was in ICU for over a month while recovering, on a respirator for a lot of that time.

Of course, no one wants to think about losing their Mommy, but one can scarcely realize the blessing of a Mommy without having lost or nearly lost her...

As I have mentioned before, I lost my first wife suddenly nearly six years ago.  It was watching my children -- particularly our then 7 year old and 11 year old -- that I relived the near loss of my own Mommy with a lot of guilty feelings mixed in.  Guilty feelings because I still had my Mommy to call up and ask questions about whatever or to relate whatever is going on in life.  And, of course, my children no longer had that opportunity...

Today, my Mom had a sinus surgery that is long awaited and probably long overdue to help relieve her of the constant sinus problems...  She came through the surgery with little or no packing, and has little pain at this point.  We are anticipating great things in her future!

I also pause today to say "I love you" to my wife, Dawn.  Thank you for becoming the Mommy to my children -- all of them.  My adult step-daughters and adopted daughter that live in Texas as well as to all three of our children in our new blended family.  Thank you for helping me give them all a "normal" family, even though all three of them can barely remember that time before they lost their "real" parent...

Having step-children, I have often contemplated through the years that Jesus knows just exactly what it is to be a step-child and to live in a blended family.  And, of course, God knows what it is to adopt children and choose to love them in spite of the fact that we are not His "begotten" children...

Anyway, I am truly thankful today that I still have my Mommy... And, I am truly thankful that my children have a loving Mommy-figure...