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I try to mix up the humor and the serious, and the excitement over what my God has done for me. And this blog has been 18 months in the making. At least.
I know I blogged this in the very beginning of my blogging, but the Lord was just not done yet.
Early last year, my Mom suffered a stroke, but we did not know at the time that is what it was. Not even her drs knew for sure. I just knew that my Mom as I have always known her, was gone. Oh, she didn’t die from it, but a big part of her did. She was changed in ways that were not even evident then. Over the course of that year, she went on to have 2 more strokes, a heart attack, and 3 weeks later, full kidney failure. Her 60th year was not a good one.
Physically, there were a LOT of changes: very weak, very tired all the time, inability to walk on her own, etc.
But the biggest change for me and my heart, was the PERSON that my MOM was, just was gone. Her vibrancy was gone. Her smile was gone. Her laughter was gone. Everything that made her WHO she was, was simply gone. For a daughter who absolutely adores her Mother, it was honestly more than I could handle. I could never admit it at the time, but it was just too much for me.
I remember one day early on, my Dad called and said I needed to come over. No reason, I just NEED to come. I was ill prepared for the sight that greeted me when I walked into the house. I can only equate it to an almost comatose person sitting in the chair. No expression of any kind. No big cheer she usually would give when I’d walk in. Nothing. She turned and just looked at me. Who it was staring at me, I have no idea, but it was NOT my Momma. I decided that day I had to take pictures of my Mom.
And in my heart, I KNEW with such a heavy heavy heart, that these would be the last photos ever taken of my beautiful, sweet Momma. I knew it was important to capture my sister, Ally, with my Mom because she was young, and I wanted her to always remember her. They have such a special bond….
And I even knew I had to have one with Momma too…gosh, and I’ll even post it for you….
And my only daughter…..
And my Dad…they’ve been married FOREVER!
This has been the longest, darkest time ever in her life. She sat in a chair unable to do anything for many months, but out of that time….I’m here to say, God has worked a miracle that I never imagined would happen! I do not limit God, but I’m practical if that makes sense. Maybe that’s doubting, I don’t know, but the woman in those pictures, and the woman that came with me to do pictures last Saturday are 2 totally different!
God has restored her almost 100%! She can walk, she still occasionally stumbled, still, but it’s so far from where she’s been! She LAUGHS! She’s TOTALLY alert! And the greeting when I walk in is back! “Well HEY there!” I can hear it right now sitting in my chair in the office at my home. “Well HEY there brother Austin!” “Hey, Chandler, whatcha been UP to?” “There’s MiMi’s girl….” Things I never thought I’d hear again…and there they are….
That unforgettable smile….those eyes that twinkle with so much JOY….her absolute total beauty….
Photos I never thought would happen….
Lord, there are no words in the human language to express my absolute JOY and thanksgiving that YOU have restored my Mom. You have replaced our mourning with SINGING and I cannot stop telling people what You’ve done for her! She is the most beautiful lady to ever walk this earth, and I thank You for giving her back to me. I cannot live, cannot function, cannot breathe without her. She is my best friend, my confidant, my laughter on days I don’t think I can go another step. I thank You for her. In Jesus name….
My beautiful, sweet, loving Momma…..SHE is my Thankful Thursday….I thank God for her….
Page said:
What a beautiful story and what a beautiful person your Momma is. She’s a good friend and a godly woman, whose friendship I treasure. You did a great job on those pictures!
Bobbi Jo said:
What a wonderful way to share about your mom. This is truly a beautiful and touching post. Thanks for sharing the pics. I love seeing pictures of other peoples families.
Grammy said:
I am so glad she is ok now. What a true blessing. You should share this post on more than friend too. I have a link to it on my thankful Thursday. Post.
Debra said:
Praising the Lord with you for your mama’s recovery! Missing her smile must have been quite a hard time. This is a lovely tribute to your Mom…thank you for sharing it with us this TT.
Jill said:
Ok, totally crying tears of joy with you!
This past year my Mom almost died twice. I unlike you did NOT have a good relationship with my mother all of my life. Yet, I went for 8 weeks daily to take care of her and I had moments to share His truths with her.
God did not allow my Mom to go where she was taking herself. Oh NO! Our God is mighty to save and grabbed my Mom by the hand, held onto her over the past six months and the Holy Spirit spoke love to her through me.
I invited my Mom to go with me two weekends ago to the Harvest Crusade with Greg Laurie. She and my Step Father came. That night I cried because I knew they were not accepting Christ there. I trusted God’s plan just felt sad over the event being loud music that night for the teens and not what it was the night before.
Although she did not accept Christ that night. She asked about going to church. This past Sunday my Mom went to church. Then on Monday we got to pray her to Jesus!!!!! My Mom is now my sister in Christ. I have not cared about the past for a while or the pain we shared – now I can tell you it is GONE only His love is left and I can rejoice in the new life He is giving to her and us!
Thanks for this post. Thanks for your love for you Mom! Thanks for sharing!
IN HIS amazing GRACE!
Jill
Jennifer said:
Praise The Lord! What a beautiful and amazing story about your mom, the journey that you all have taken but most of all…God’s Faithfulness!
He is always faithful and He works in His time, not ours…I learn that more and more everyday.
Praying for God’s continual blessings on you and your precious family.
Jennifer
Laurie Ann said:
May the name of God be praised for restoring your Momma’s health! How awesome is our God?!? He’s *that* awesome! I loved loved loved this post! Happy Thankful Thursday.
Lori @ Front Porch Legacy said:
Well look what you’ve done gone and made do…cry my eyes out for my Mama!
So glad I dropped by on this beautiful Thankful Thursday.
Melanie said:
Oh, Dana.. the tears are flowing as I read your beautiful post about your precious Mama! I can see the difference on her face in the pictures you posted… so, so beautiful! Thank you, Lord!!!!
Shanda said:
I am rejoicing with you!! You really can SEE the difference in your mom between the older photos and new. God is good. He is gracious. He knows what we need. I am thrilled that you and your children can enjoy living life with her.
Enjoy each precious moment and keep taking those photos!!
Hannah said:
My Savior, He can move the mountains!!! My God is mighty to Save!!! Amen!!!! Praise the Lord for your mommy and your beautiful family!!!
Melissa, Multitasking Mama said:
Wow, you can tell the difference in the pictures! What a mighty God we serve!
Denise said:
So much to be thankful for! God is so good! So very good!
Blessings to you and your family!
Nancy K. said:
Dana,
Thank you for sharing your deepest most thoughts concerning your mother and showing us in pictures.She is a dear friend and I can truly see through her smile how she is getting stronger each and every day.What a blessing it is to have your mother back and to see her wonderful smile.I know the picture with her grandchildren and dear Ally are so very special to her.Thanks for taking the pictures and sharing them with us.Your mother has shared your blog with me and has wanted me to read it.I’ve been reading it for awhile but haven’t posted till now.Just wanted to let you know that I read and really enjoy your blog!
Nancy
Rachel said:
This post had me crying with joy for (with) you!
God is SO good.
Isn’t it precious to see what He is able to do and how very much He loves us?
He is far mighter than any diagnosis or any sickness.
I am so very thankful for your time with your mom and for God blessing you with MORE!