Where do I start . . .
I've been thinking about writing this all week and have even starting this blog a few times, but didn't know where to start, yet have so much to say about who my mom was and the legacy she leaves behind.
I miss my mom so much, for some reason, last fall until now it has hit me a little harder. I'm not sure if it's because my baby sister Joelle and older brother Julien got married last year, or that Jocelyne had a baby girl. Our family is growing and mom would have LOVED every single part of it.
She was an amazing mom!!! Even though she was strict, she was kind, gentle and loving.
The wisdom she shared about life was far beyond what you would ever learn in school or even receive a degree in. I remember the training as she fostered children in our home - she always used different situations as tools to teach us kids.
Mom was passionate about music and loved to sing. When she sang, it was more than just singing for her - her heart's desire was to minister to those who were hurting through music. She loved to worship God.
Mom had a burden and heart for young moms - she would always take the babies and put them to sleep when the moms were so tired and overwhelmed - it was her special gift.
She fought a good fight and even though we think that cancer had won the battle -
it didn't!!!!
God was in control of every step of her fight with cancer. I still believe that God is a healer and will stand on His promises. It doesn't take the pain or lose away, but it gives me hope that I will see her again.
This is the last family picture we took, a year before she passed away.
I choose to be thankful,
Thankful for the time I had with my mom.
Thankful for all that she invested in my and my siblings
Thankful for the love and respect she had for my dad
Thankful for her unconditional love, even when we as kids disappointed her
Thankful for her instructions and teaching
Thankful for her discipline, even when it hurt :)
Thankful for the joy she had - she loved to laugh
Thankful for the legacy she left behind
Thankful for her relationship with God
Thankful for being a Godly example as a mother and wife
Thankful for being my MOM
What a beautiful tribute Janelle, and what a wonderful lady she was. I see her in each of her children and through you, a part of her lives on. Gorgeous family pic too. Happy mother's day :)
ReplyDeleteI LOVED IT!!!!!!!!! Thank you for writing it, so many times I think about her and think about how much people are missing out not having been able to meet her especially Philip cause I think he would have loved and vise versa but I just pray that I will be even HALF the wife, mother, friend, mentor, baby whisperer LOL, ect that she was and hope the legacy lives on in us.
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