Mother’s Day

Mom. That’s a title I have always been fiercely protective of. Gail is my mom and there’s no changing that. Years ago after finding my biological family, she even told me I could call my birth mother, “mom.” She’s an incredible woman. Both of them are grand in their own right. Sharon made the choice to give me up for adoption. She gave me the gift of a life I can’t imagine any differently. I’m thankful to know her now and to call her my friend. Gail (& Randall) did the raising and boy are they tired. While physical birthing labor wasn’t felt, the growing was. Sorry, mom! Gail has been an example of striving to honor God in all areas and is the most patient woman I know. Seeing her in elements of a classroom and just as a woman has taught me in ways I hope to pass along someday. She walks in an integrity that I respect greatly. No wonder I’m so protective, right?!

It’s interesting and God ordained that I have that fierce sense of loyalty and protectiveness because it gives me a perspective stepping into the role one day of being a step mom (or bonus mom..whatever you want to call it). It is not lost on me that I’m getting to live out a life that another woman prayed to live and strived for and it quite frankly breaks my heart. However, I am so thankful for the honor to be walking in this journey with Blaine and Amelia. No, we aren’t engaged but I digress. Amelia and I have gotten a lot closer over the last few months and I can tell she wants to keep me around. This weekend I am in MS to celebrate my oldest niece, Maddie, graduating from Ole Miss with a degree in Bio Chemistry (WHOOP WHOOP) so Amelia gave me a card she made at school and a gift that’s a 3D printed pocket locket in the shape of a heart since I will be out of town Sunday. I asked her awkwardly if it was in honor of this weekend or what and she said, “yeah, kinda. And Jenny Day.” Y’all, the amount of tears I have cried over this has been many because I never want her to feel as though she has to call me by anything other than Jenny (or Jen Jen) but the fact that she thought of me during that time at school is something I never want to forget. I am so grateful for this adventure and while I’m exhausted a lot of the time facing new challenges, I’m honored and humbled.

All this to say, no matter what your role is in the lives of others this Mother’s Day, know that you have the chance to make a difference. Each season of life is used to teach and prepare us for the next but to also help us love on other people. Children of all ages watch closer than we realize and now is when I should apologize to the friends whose kids I’ve taught phrases like, “snitches get stitches.” Cheers to one day being a mom and to the ones I have!