Once again it’s Mother’s Day, a time to honor and love on our mothers with a little extra pizazz. For some of us this is also a day we miss our mamas (a little more than usual.)
It’s not easy being motherless on Mother’s Day when our mothers have gone on to Heaven.
Last week a new-ish colleague in my sister’s office in Wilmington (NC) announced, “Cindy is going to visit her mom this weekend.”
Another colleague piped up, “That will be a very long trip!”
As long and far away as Heaven seems, the memories and legacy of my precious Mama’s life are instantly close filling my heart and with her love, hope and joy. Last year I shared a letter written to Mama @ her Heavenly address (you can read it by clicking here: A Letter to Mama on Mother’s Day.)
This year to honor Mama here’s a poem I wrote for Mother’s Day years ago while working overseas. I sent it to my sister who printed it out & put it in a frame as a giftie for the actual day. Several folks requested a copy after I shared it @ Mama’s Memorial Celebration service (under sibling pressure that we all share something) so here it is again today.
The Woodward Family (a long time ago!)
The Mystery of Magnificent Motherhood
On Mother’s Day we celebrate the mystery of Motherhood. From the outside, Motherhood doesn’t seem all that mysterious but just simply mastering of responsibilities and physical tasks. Responsibilities that include raising children to know right and wrong, not to hurt themselves, to study, and to grow from turbulent twos through the terrifying teens into functioning adults. Physical tasks involve delivering babies (washing them, carrying them, helping them walk) cooking, cleaning…
These, admittedly, amount to a great deal of work.
Magnificent Motherhood, however, is a mystery that involves more than just responsibilities and tasks. To understand this mystery, special qualities are required:
Magnificent Motherhood is SACRIFICE.
Selflessly sacrificing (all the time) & the last piece of chocolate cake.
Magnificent Motherhood is JOY.
Joy even when illness strikes, the pots overflow, & we act unruly.
Magnificent Motherhood is BEAUTY.
Beauty seen in us (even with pimples) & nurtured in our surroundings.
Magnificent Motherhood is GENEROSITY.
Generously sharing special gifts, checks, and Mr. Madison’s fudge.
Magnificent Motherhood is MUSIC.
Music composed in a heart overflowing with the joy of Jesus.
Magnificent Motherhood is ACTION.
Hugging us, holding our hands, and helping us through each crisis.
Magnificent Motherhood is PRAYER.
Unceasing prayer – faithful communion with God (often on our behalf.)
Magnificent Motherhood is FAITHFULNESS.
Faithfulness to God (1st) and 58 years (!) with the Fabulous Fossil (our Papa!)
Magnificent Motherhood is LOVE.
Love shared from an inner spring that never diminishes…
It’s actually very simple.
The Mystery of Magnificent Motherhood is
MY MOTHER,
Virginia Francis Johnson Woodward
With love & appreciation from her daughter,
Virginia : )
p.s. As many of you know, my precious Mama loved chocolate (where my chocoholic genes come from?) Wish I could bake a big chocolate cake for her, but here’s a memory of sharing one of our favorite chocolate desserts – Carrabba’s Sogno di Cioccolata.
A daunting chocolate challenge…
Not too much for MY Mama!
Roses in the Rubble 
Blessings and love to all Mothers this Mother’s Day weekend💕😊
Blessings back at ‘cha, GH, for this day, week, month! Hugs! 🌷☀️🤗☀️🌷
🤗🤗
Lovely post! ❤
Thank you – it’s hard missing my mom, but her love lives on… 🌹🌟💜🌟🌹
❤
Such a sweet post!!
Thank you, Michele. My mama loved sweets (especially chocolate) – and she was sweet on the inside, too. Blessings!!! 🍫🌟💜☀️🍫
Great poem Virginia and wonderful post!
Thank you, Steve. I miss my mama (so much) but her love is with me still. Blessings to you, Muffin & all your special critters! 😎🌟💜🌟😎
Thanks Virginia, I hope you have a great day!😃😺
Thinking of you and Dwight on this Mother’s Day 2019.
Praying for joy, peace and Woodward laughter that rings to Heaven.
Carol-Jo – it’s hard missing our moms (not just on Mother’s Day but every day!) We did enjoy lots of laughter though this weekend as my sisters came to the ‘Burg – life is a gift! Much love & hugs! 🤗🌷🌟💜🌟🌷🤗
Dear Virginia, what a lovely poem you wrote to your beloved mama! Thank you for sharing it with us ❤ Much love and many blessings as always! Big Hug!
Thank you, Patty. I miss my mama (so much) but the legacy of her love is ever present in my heart & life. Without her prayers & encouragement (& Papa’s) I would not have launched into life overseas serving God & others (& stayed doing it for many years!) Blessings & hugs! 🌟🌹💜🌹🌟
What a lovely tribute Virginia. Happy Mother’s Day!
Thank you, Arlene. Motherhood blessings to you this week (& hugs, too!!) 🌟💜🌟🤗🌟💜🌟
You were named after your mama? How special is that?!! Loved your tribute to her on this Mother’s Day, Virginia. I’m blessed to still have my mama here — the more time goes by, the more precious our times together. I hope you eat some chocolate in your mama’s honor today!
Debbie, we definitely honored our mama Sunday (re:chocolate!) My parents named me Virginia after my mama & her aunt & grandmother + my papa’s mother was also a Virginia & his oldest sister, too. Enjoy the times with your precious mama – life is a gift! Hugs, Debbie! 🌟💜🤗💜🌟
Lovely thoughts!!
Thank you – I miss my mama, but the legacy of her love is my heart has not diminished, Blessings! 🌹🌟💜🌟🌹
Beautiful tribute…beautiful photos.
So grateful for many photos that fill our home with memories, as the legacy of our mama’s love continues to fill our hearts. Motherhood blessings to you, Mama Duck! 🌟💜🤗💜🌟
lovely tribute and the picture is beautiful!!
Thank you, Michele. I miss my mama (so much) but her love, prayers (so many over the years) & example of faithfulness continue to encourage my heart & life. Lots of hugs & motherhood blessings to you! 🌟💜🤗💜🌟
What a tribute your life is to your mother.
Thank you, Michele, for making my day (week, month!!) Hugs!! 🙂
Hey, Virginia! Nominated you for the Sunshine Blogger Award. Details in my post for today. 🙂
Thank you for thinking of me! Blessings on your blog — and YOU!!! 🙂
Such a heartwarming post Virginia❤️
Thank you — I miss my mama!!! Blessings!
I miss my mamma too😥
🌟💞🤗💞🌟
Your moms blessings will always be with you.
Thank you for that comforting thought — although I miss her, her love is with me, still. Blessings!