Mothers, Flower Petals, and Sentiment

May is the month dedicated to graduations and our wonderful, beautiful, so much smarter than us in every way mothers.  I have had the blessing of being raised by not just one but two amazing women: my mother and my grandmother.

Both of these ladies have been through so much in life.  I have watched them and learned from them for as long as I can remember.  And they both know and trust the Lord in everything.  They are prayer warriors and very giving of themselves... sometimes to their own detriment.

They are both hard workers and often feel guilty when they take time for themselves to simply relax.  But they won't stand for I or anyone else they love working themselves into the ground.

My mother and grandmother are very protective and nurturing.  Lionesses when they believe it necessary.  Angels of mercy more often than not.

They have their faults, no doubt about that.  But their love and their actions overshadow their human flaws.  

I often wonder why I was blessed to know and be the object of their love.  And I wonder how I could ever live up to their examples.  I often feel too selfish in comparison to them.  My life is so different from their experiences.  

Even so, I wanted to bless them with lovely cards this year.  Only I didn't like any of the cards I found in the stores.  What to do?  

I remembered that tucked away amongst my favorite books sat a box with hidden treasures.  I had long ago began drying and saving flowers and their petals.  This year seemed to be the right time to take a few out and do something special.

Each petal and flower represent a time and place very precious to me in my memories.  And I thought it would be nice to use these natural representatives of my love in home-made designs for my cards.

For Grandmother

For Mother

I am so thankful for the relationships I have with my two mothers.  I sometimes become melancholy when I recognize that they are aging.  And that fills me with a determination to enjoy and cherish them as much as possible today while we are still together.

Much love to all you darling mothers.  Blessings upon blessings to you for all the love you give us, your children.

Oh Lord of beauty and light, 

thank you for the incredible blessing of mothers,

 who sacrifice,

who nurture,

who teach through word and deed,

that life is more than living for oneself,

and for instilling in young hearts and minds,

the seeds of your divine love.

~ Sincerity

" She opens her mouth with wisdom and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue. She looks well to the ways of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness."  ~ Proverbs 31: 26-27