Day 275 in making my way back to you, Mick(ey)!

Happy Mother’s Day, Dear Readers!  Whether you are the mother of strapping boys or pretty girls or strapping girls or pretty boys or fuzzy four legged babies, or anything else, I wish you a Happy Day!

For those of you who lost your mom early on, or whose moms weren’t there for you in some way, this can be a painful reminder of what you don’t or never had and for that I do commiserate.  So I want to talk about the moms in my life:

1. Mom-Elizabeth May (Peggy) Heath Taskila–She was always a warm body to cuddle with.  She always had a hug and a kiss for me, good times and bad.  She was, for her children, an example of what unconditional love looked like.  It made it all the easier to believe that God could love me unconditionally, too.  Mom was always in our corner, going to battle (often with Dad) for us, and she was our biggest fan and cheerleader.  It didn’t matter where we stood in the pecking order, she was FOR us.
2. My Sister-in-Loves–Trudy and Patsy–they have been sister, mother and friend at times, and I love them dearly!  Thx, Sisses!
3. My Friend Extraordinaire Joan–she has been friend, sister and mother to me.  I couldn’t have lived so far from my family for all of these years (about 30) without her.
4. My High School Chorus Teacher–Miss Trolla–She so believed in me, long before I knew I had any self-worth at all.  She taught me how to sing and gave me a foundation that has served me well as I direct the Contemporary Band at our church in worship.  She never married and had no children of her own, so she made of us her children, and she wasn’t afraid to put us in our places when we strayed too far.  She was the BEST of coaches, and an example of a strong, independent women!
5. My Aunties–Phyllis, Violet, Yvonne, Ruth, Alice, Annie, Verna, Helmi, Viola, Vivian, Josie (hope I didn’t forget anyone)–always willing to engage in conversation and throw in a hug to boot.
6. My Mother-in-Love–Estella Oja Jarvi  You taught me so much about being a mom and being a welcoming hostess.  We’re thinking of you today.  Thank you for helping me to raise two amazing people!
7. My Bestest Friend Jean (friend, sister, and mother when I needed one)–I’ve learned so much about being a mother from watching you.  To me you are the picture of a Christian mother, and I know you learned it from your mom.  Here’s to bread and butter on a sunny summer day.  Love you, my friend!

Thank you, to all of you, for making me know beyond the shadow of a doubt that I am loved, and thank you all for letting me love you, too.

So dear readers, I pray you have a blessed day wherever you are.  Remember to take some time with the Creator, the Mother and Father of us all.