The Most Beautiful Mom
I used to go to Summer camp when I was a kid. I went to Kanakuk K-7, K-West, K-2, and Brookhill through the years. I honestly had great experiences learning about Jesus, but I was VERY READY to see my parents and get back into air conditioning. I will never forget at Kanakuk there is a parent's night before the day we actually would leave and as all the parents were streaming in, I was anxiously awaiting the first glimpse of my mom and dad. A memory that sticks in my mind was when I was younger at K-7. As all of the parents were coming in, I caught a glimpse of the most beautiful mom. My heart beat out of my chest as familiarity flooded my heart and the feeling of calm came over me that only my mom could give. She was and has been my safe place all of my life, the most beautiful mom. I thought in my head about how much I was glad she was my mom and how nice she always was to everyone and couldn't wait to introduce her to my friends. I was glad that she genuinely was happy to see me and curious about every detail of camp. I hugged her and smelled the familiar smell of her perfume and heard her contagious laugh as she was talking. Even though we had been apart, her fingerprints were all over my life when we were apart. From MULTIPLE letters every single day, to care packages, and a perfectly organized trunk filled with every supply I could possibly need and then some, just in case.:)Not only that, but I was ONE out of FOUR trunks and kids to send letters to that she had done. Back then, I did not think of that, because with all that she did, it felt like I was the only child with full focus on me. How she did that, is truly a testimony to her hard work and deep love as a mom. She gave her all and then some for the four of us and she still does today.
My lunch was always packed in elementary school with a napkin that said how much my mom loved me or wishes for a terrific day with fun flowers drawn around the words. I missed her while I was at school, because she was the best mom, the most beautiful mom and I liked being with her. I love how she sent her love with me even when we were apart. It makes me tear up just writing this, remembering all the ways she let me know how much she was thinking about me and how much she cared. It makes me realize how much she had to depend on God and depend on Him for strength to love so selflessly and sacrificially, all four of us. She showed us Christ everyday in the way she never put herself first, but was always thinking of others. She still is that way, she never takes a break from serving others with passionate devotion.
When I was little, I remember being at the park and not wanting to leave my mom's lap. I loved to lay my head on her chest, hear her heart and listen to her voice. I really did not want to play, instead I wanted to be with the most beautiful mom. I have memories of sleepover parties throughout my childhood and when I got home I felt relieved to get back to my mom. As fun as a night away was, it was more fun to be home. She would let Abby and I ask more than one person to spend the night all the time. Our house was a regular sleepover party and our birthday party even bigger. My mom became a mentor to friends and my dad a father figure to those that did not have one. They opened their hearts, home, and love to anyone. They even picked a house perfect for more friends to be able to come over. Somehow, even though my parents were some of the most morally strict, our life felt so full of joy, not full of limitations. They did not constantly force us to think a certain way, or make our decision for us. They let us have freedom to learn how to lead, but at the same time kept a standard of living in our house that they knew was for our good. When living for Christ, it becomes more and more apparent the joy that living out his commands brings. It has brought me such freedom and joy and their example and boundaries helped me have so many less regrets than I would have had. Their example showed me how a marriage could stay together, how siblings were meant to be each other's allies and not enemies, and that it is not about living a moral life, but knowing God and becoming more like him in the process. Instead of living for self, it caused me to see how my actions affected others and especially could hurt myself. My mom spent so much time teaching me scripture. She even read the Bible and wrote notes and prayers with me in mind that she gave me my senior year. This is how I know that the first verse she ever taught me was James 4:8 "Draw near to God and He will draw near to you." This truth has been dear to me and the truth of it never stops amazing me every time.
I talk to my mom everyday. She is my best friend, my ally, and my helper. She continues to make life fun, show me what truly matters, and selflessly serves anyone God brings in her path. As a grandmother instead of viewing it as her time to be done with children, she has taken it to a new level and loved her grandbabies with a fierce and sacrifical love. She has gone to Chuck E Cheese and bounced at the trampoline park countless times and this alone shows her dedication! ha! My relationship with her is a testimony to all the ways she has loved so deeply and strongly. She forgives quickly, she is compassionate, she is strong, hard working, organized, godly, sweet, and caring. She wears so many hats, but manages to make everyone feel special. She had four kids before thirty and made scrap books for every one of them. She documented our lives with countless pictures when iphones were not even a concept and pictures had to be developed. I always say, with my kids if I could just repeat my childhood with them, then I would be so happy! I realize that I cannot repeat my exact childhood, but the values and the things I learned from my mom can and do shape what I do now with mine.
Happy Mother's Day to the most beautiful Mom, SHANNON PATE! Thank you is an understatement. So much of who I am today is because of you. Thank you!!!!!!!!
My lunch was always packed in elementary school with a napkin that said how much my mom loved me or wishes for a terrific day with fun flowers drawn around the words. I missed her while I was at school, because she was the best mom, the most beautiful mom and I liked being with her. I love how she sent her love with me even when we were apart. It makes me tear up just writing this, remembering all the ways she let me know how much she was thinking about me and how much she cared. It makes me realize how much she had to depend on God and depend on Him for strength to love so selflessly and sacrificially, all four of us. She showed us Christ everyday in the way she never put herself first, but was always thinking of others. She still is that way, she never takes a break from serving others with passionate devotion.
When I was little, I remember being at the park and not wanting to leave my mom's lap. I loved to lay my head on her chest, hear her heart and listen to her voice. I really did not want to play, instead I wanted to be with the most beautiful mom. I have memories of sleepover parties throughout my childhood and when I got home I felt relieved to get back to my mom. As fun as a night away was, it was more fun to be home. She would let Abby and I ask more than one person to spend the night all the time. Our house was a regular sleepover party and our birthday party even bigger. My mom became a mentor to friends and my dad a father figure to those that did not have one. They opened their hearts, home, and love to anyone. They even picked a house perfect for more friends to be able to come over. Somehow, even though my parents were some of the most morally strict, our life felt so full of joy, not full of limitations. They did not constantly force us to think a certain way, or make our decision for us. They let us have freedom to learn how to lead, but at the same time kept a standard of living in our house that they knew was for our good. When living for Christ, it becomes more and more apparent the joy that living out his commands brings. It has brought me such freedom and joy and their example and boundaries helped me have so many less regrets than I would have had. Their example showed me how a marriage could stay together, how siblings were meant to be each other's allies and not enemies, and that it is not about living a moral life, but knowing God and becoming more like him in the process. Instead of living for self, it caused me to see how my actions affected others and especially could hurt myself. My mom spent so much time teaching me scripture. She even read the Bible and wrote notes and prayers with me in mind that she gave me my senior year. This is how I know that the first verse she ever taught me was James 4:8 "Draw near to God and He will draw near to you." This truth has been dear to me and the truth of it never stops amazing me every time.
I talk to my mom everyday. She is my best friend, my ally, and my helper. She continues to make life fun, show me what truly matters, and selflessly serves anyone God brings in her path. As a grandmother instead of viewing it as her time to be done with children, she has taken it to a new level and loved her grandbabies with a fierce and sacrifical love. She has gone to Chuck E Cheese and bounced at the trampoline park countless times and this alone shows her dedication! ha! My relationship with her is a testimony to all the ways she has loved so deeply and strongly. She forgives quickly, she is compassionate, she is strong, hard working, organized, godly, sweet, and caring. She wears so many hats, but manages to make everyone feel special. She had four kids before thirty and made scrap books for every one of them. She documented our lives with countless pictures when iphones were not even a concept and pictures had to be developed. I always say, with my kids if I could just repeat my childhood with them, then I would be so happy! I realize that I cannot repeat my exact childhood, but the values and the things I learned from my mom can and do shape what I do now with mine.
Happy Mother's Day to the most beautiful Mom, SHANNON PATE! Thank you is an understatement. So much of who I am today is because of you. Thank you!!!!!!!!
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