A Woman of Courage and Strength: A Mother’s Day Tribute Part 3

A Woman of Courage and Strength: A Mother’s Day Tribute Part 3

Continue with me in my first family history memoir/narrative from A Woman of Courage and Strength: A Mother's Day Tribute Part 2.
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​The Turning Point:

My mom became a Christian and was baptized in 1988 at the church she had been attending, and she then officially became a member of the church. It was at this time, along with the birth of her first granddaughter, my oldest, whom she got to spend every weekend with, that was the most significant turning point in her life. It was a new beginning to all her past regrets and helped her to forgive and move on from her traumatic childhood that she had grappled with most of her life.  She loved her children very much but had a special place in her heart for her grandchildren, they were the light of her life, and she supported them in everything they did. She never missed an activity of theirs or supporting them in some way or another! They were the biggest joy in her life.

My Mom's Church, By HumbleOpinion at flickr.com

My Mom with My Oldest, Her 1st Granddaughter, 1987

Spreading Joy with the Gifts Given to Her: 

​I believe that everyone has a special gift, such as a talent or skill. What do you choose to do with your gifts?

 My mom loved using what she really believed to be her one gift, the gift of creativity, from God (revealed after her death in a personal journal) for the purpose of bringing joy to others. She incorporated this into teaching Sunday School and Early Childhood at her church, and she always thought up the most adorable new crafts and activities for them. She had a hard time showing her love in conventional standards, because of her childhood, but you could see how much she loved by the time she spent putting such detail into her thoughtful handmade cards and gifts for family and friends, and by the time she spent helping and supporting others. I will always cherish that she had figured out she had a special talent and that unknowingly, she used it to show her love in an unconventional way to bring joy to others by making things for her family and friends, and how much time she put into it. I will never forget how she watched my children for me, so I could finish up school- from the times she took the bus all the way to my place to watch them, to the time she underwent the medical training to be able to watch my youngest for me. It takes a strong person to be able to see light after being in the dark for so long.

It was through her love of God and the quality time she got to spend with her grandchildren, that she became the softer, more caring, and compassionate woman that she was known by, and how she had finally come to know love and how to freely give it. You could see that in her interactions with her grandchildren and how she helped others. She visited the homebound, helped those dealing with chronic pain, and helped those dealing with physical challenges, all through programs offered through her church. She loved to help others and give back, and she made many friends along the way through her activities at church. Not only was she able to help and give hope to others, but unknowingly, she was able to do the same for herself.

Teaching in Early Childhood at Her Church, ca. 1998

Gathering with Friends from Church, 2011

Interative Questions:
Did you have a major turning point in your life that helped get you through tough times? Have you used a special talent or skill that you have to hep others? I'd love to read your comments below!

Stay Tuned:
Stay tuned for Part 4, the final part, in this month long memoir celebrating my mom, for a Mother's Day tribute
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Next Up:
Tragedy Strikes, Another Test of Courage, and more 
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Note: 
All photos are copyright protected and are owned by me and may not be downloaded, screenshot, or saved in any other way without my explicit permission