I Get it from My Mama

Something I have learned quickly about having a new baby is that everyone asks who you think they look like the most- or people just give you their opinion on who they think the baby looks like the most.  We pick out features and say “oh they get it from…” and often use those features to predict the future of what baby will look like as he or she grows. 

 

As an adult, we often still reflect the physical characteristics of our families- many of us are undeniable- but I find that more and more I look at my personality characteristics and think “I get it from…”

 

Being “that house” the one where there is usually food on, the door is always open for company- the back door of course, friends are always welcome, and we always have your back… I get it from my mama.

Being “that teacher” the one who works late, takes stuff home, loves her students enough to hold them to high standards, and gives them her very best… I get it from my mama.

Being the wife who supports his dreams, love unconditionally, but gives him a dose of reality when he needs it… I get it from my mama. 

Being the mom who prays continually, sings worship music together, helps practice memory verses, and loves to answer their questions about the Bible stories… I get it from my mama.

 

But not only do I get it from my mama, I have been blessed by generations of women who have made me who I am today.  My Granny taught my mama how to be the woman she is today.  She has shown me what infectious joy and laughter can do for a home.  She has shown me what strength really looks like as she tells about the years of raising little ones as the wife a career air force officer who moved frequently and sometimes had to do it on her own while he was deployed.  She is the origin of many of my go-to recipes, and the generous giver of cookies to my (b).  Some of who I am… I get it from my Granny.

Four generations, my Granny, my Mama, myself, and my (lk)

 My Grandma Anne is no longer with us, but she influenced the first 34 years of my life.  She was particular about many things- how the table was set, how a meal was planned for a special occasion, and how to be the grammar police were particulars that rubbed off on me.  She was also a dedicated teacher who believed in holding students to high standards and she showed me the depths that love will go to as she became my Papaw’s caregiver in his final years.  Some of who I am… I get it from my Grandma. 

I was fortunate to inherit my Grandma's college ring.  I don't wear it all the time, just special occasions, but Mother's Day and my own daughter's first time in church felt like a couple of special reasons to put it on this morning.

 And there were some other very special ones too… my Great-Grandma Anderson who taught in a one room school house and with whom I shared a very special bond until her passing when I was in jr high.  “My Alice” was our childcare provider growing up and is why I love to run barefoot, eat sugar cookies, and where I learned to love other people’s children as my own because her actions taught me that family didn’t have to be blood.  All my aunts had only sons- so as their oldest niece I learned to arrange flowers, how to do my make-up, and the value of having some favorite hymns memorized.  I was fortunate to have friends who “momed” before me and showed me all the “real” sides of motherhood as well as told me what to pack or not pack in a hospital bag.  So much of who I am as a woman and a mother… I get it from those mamas.

 

I look at my own kids and think about all they see in the women who they love.  Friends like Miss Angie, Miss Ann, and Miss Lissa who are teaching them that family doesn’t always mean blood.  Aunts who each have special rituals with them (even if the request is most often to bring their uncles along).  Showing up at Granny’s house usually means you will be showered with love and fun just for walking through the door.  Mama K has expectations, but will still fix you meatloaf anytime you ask for it.  Nana runs “the cookie house” and always has sweet treats ready.  But more than that, they are seeing examples of faith, perseverance, and love of family. And I often wonder what they see the most in me.  I often fear they will remember the times I lost it and yelled, the days I couldn’t keep it together and just sat to cry, the disheveled mess our home is often in, or the many ways I have failed them.  But I PRAY they will remember my faith and hope in the Lord, my desire to be better every day, my love for their Daddy, and my joy in being their mom.  I pray some day they will grow up to look at a blessing or two in their life and be able to say… “I get it from my Mama.”

 

Happy Mother’s Day!