A Special Mother’s Day

“Making a decision to have a child–it’s momentous. It is to decide forever to have your heart go walking around outside your body.”

From the moment we discovered we were going to be parents, we were in awe of God’s blessing. The awe has continued as the months have quickly passed by. Here we are at a little over 4 weeks from our due date and can hardly wait to meet this little soul God has been forming so carefully within.

One afternoon recently, William came home from work and announced that he’d be taking me for lunch on Saturday to a special place. “Where to?” I wanted to ask, but knew I couldn’t ’cause I just had that feeling I shouldn’t.

Saturday, April 24th, came and so did my jitters…what did he have up his sleeve? I knew I could certainly cry at the drop of a hat, thanks to my current happy state of pregnancy emotions, and didn’t want to be unstable. We left at the appointed time and drove out of town, William asking as we drove, “So where would you like to go, Love?” Italian food didn’t sound too bad to me. Interestingly enough, he pulled into a familiar event hall across the road from an Italian eatery. Smiling, he said, “What if we go here for lunch, and I’ll take you for Italian some other time?” I saw numerous cars and began recognizing some of them. “Oh Darling,” I said, “I’m going to be emotional!” He sweetly gave me “permission” to be as he escorted me into the hall that by then had filled with beautiful ladies and a slight sprinkling of men who had accompanied their wives. We walked through the open doors in to the most cheerfully set tables with all the soft, pastel colors present in the decor, and such sweet, smiling faces there to join in our celebration.

Of any shower a first-time mother could dream of, I felt this topped it off! My dear mother and father in-law were the hosts, planners, and heart behind it, and true to their gifting, they left no detail undone. I told William that it was the most meaningful and sweet shower I had ever attended!

My dear sis, Tina (William’s sister), is a cake designer and baker whose cakes are truly the best in taste and appearance. With such love and creativity, she made 5 different designs of baby-themed cakes. These were the center pieces for the tables till time to cut and serve the cake. For favors, there were little bundles of Jolly Ranchers at each place setting—a personal favorite of William’s. Sweet little plants of Snapdragons laced the tables decor and were apart of prizes ladies were able to pick as the shower progressed.

To start the shower, Mom suggested I go take a seat at the old piano in the room and play from a list she had prepared of lullabies and children’s songs. The ladies were to see who could guess first what I was playing. Each game was fun as William and I looked on and marveled once again that this was happening to us! One game, the ladies were to see how many names they could create using only the letters from William’s and my name. There certainly were some interesting combinations! I think we’ll stick with what we’ve picked out.

Each lady was invited to either share with me a written verse of blessing or helpful advice, and they were able to pick from very fun stickers provided at each table and decorate their blessing card to give William and I. These meant much to us, along with the kindness that was poured out through gifts for our baby and the nursery. Once home, we carried it all to the nursery room and cried more happy tears! What kindness has been poured upon us and our joy has been multiplied.

Recently, I turned the page on my first Mother’s Day desk calendar, a gift from our cousins Bob & Helen, and here was the incredible promise I found there:

“This is what the LORD says—He who made you, who formed you in the womb, and who will help you: Do not be afraid….I will pour water on the thirsty land, and streams on the dry ground; I will pour out My Spirit on your offspring, and My blessing on your descendants.” Isa. 44:2-3 NIV

This promise is certainly one we’re clinging to with joy! What grace is ours in Christ, even at this place of bringing our first descendant into the world!

On this special Mother’s Day in William’s and my life, a day I so deeply miss my mother, longing to share this time of my life with her, I dedicate this post to you, dear Mom Straight, a woman whose heart is so full of caring love and who delights in her children and grandchildren immensely. Your love and care for me as your daughter-in-law is a deep comfort. I’m so blessed to call you, “Mom.”

Happy Mother’s Day to all Moms in the world!!!