Mother’s Day – Expressing Gratitude and Thankfulness

I received this floral arrangement yesterday, a Mother’s Day Gift from our three children.    One of the downsides of retirement in Florida is not enjoying this special day with them.  Four years ago, we moved 2,000 miles away from our offsprings.  While we miss them, each year the “separation anxiety” lessens.

This Mother’s Day, I express gratitude and thankfulness to God for blessing  me with three wonderful children, five grandchildren and, of course, the greatest Hubby.  

Given my recent posts, believe it or not, this one isn’t about me.  This is about three mothers; and, each played different roles in different seasons of my life.

Unconditional Love – Happy Mother’s Day MAMA

Mama you blessed me with unconditional love from the day I was born until your death in 1967.  Though, I wish you had stayed with me longer, I am grateful for our years together.  You left, but I kept the memories and these memories will always keep me connected to you. “As is the mother, so is her daughter.” (Ezekiel 16:4)

Maternal Tenderness – Happy Mother’s Day CARRIE

I was only 25-years-old when MAMA died.  While no one will ever replace her, I will be forever grateful for the gift of Maternal Tenderness from my mother-in-law .  She helped to fill the “mother void” in my life until her death in 1980.  She will always have a special place in my heart. And, I cherish the many memories of our times together.

Led By Examples – Happy Mothers Day Shirley

This is a photo taken on June 25, 1988, at my eldest daughter’s wedding ceremony.  Realizing, my sister-in-law would not live to attend her own daughter’s wedding, we invited her to share the mother’s role with me.  Having survived breast cancer for more than five years, she was undergoing treatment due to a recurrence two years earlier.  Six months after the wedding, she died in our spare bedroom.  So grateful God gifted us with the opportunity to serve as caregivers during the last months of her life.

I was “Led by Examples” of this beautiful woman from the age of 17 when I married her brother through middle-aged.  Though only four years my senior, she was my mentor, advisor and counselor.

On March 8, 2008, when I was diagnosed with breast cancer, I relied upon examples of her strength and courage as she battled this condition to carry me through a lumpectomy, chemotherapy, radiation and life after breast cancer.

My ability to deal with a health condition for which there is no cure is because I was “Led by Examples” of a brave Breast Cancer Warrior, a sister-in-law, who fought to survive, but lost the battle.

I honor these three mothers who are no longer with me on this Mother’s Day.

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I also honor my two daughters for being outstanding mothers to three of my grandchildren.  I am ever so grateful for their unconditional love, nurturing, and support.  

Pamela Thomas-King, M.D.

Kimberly Eccleston, Attorney-at-Law