Wisdom From Gaba

My mom, also known as Gaba to the grandchildren, is a wise, wise woman. Recently, she sent me an email in response to my blog entries revolving around my “horrible-no-good” mommy day. Sometimes I see my mom as this perfect, peaceful wife and mom who never loses her cool or struggles with her faith. But here, she admits that she’s only human and she stumbles just as much as the next person. Her words gave me a lot of a hope and were a good and timely reminder that God is always ready to forgive. May they help you, too.

Gaba wrote, “Over the years I have tried to bring my troubles, insecurities and demons to God, therefore you don’t always know about my bad mommy moments or bad Catholic moments or bad wife moments, etc., but believe me – they are all there!!! In fact last night I was up late sitting in the dark with a glass of wine staring at one of the most beautiful night skies complete with resplendent moon thinking of how weak I am and wondering why I seem to pray over and over and over again for the same things whether it’s courage to beat my weaknesses or wisdom to inspire my kids or a girl for Josh [my younger brother who really wants to find a wife. Email me if you know of any nice, Catholic girls in the Atlanta area! I’m serious.] or humility for me. If I pray hard, why can’t I beat my nicotine addiction, find time to write, be a better wife? Why hasn’t Josh found the love of his life, why am I too chicken to drive to my daughter’s house, how come I doubt my faith so often, blah, blah, blah???? I don’t have any answers for you except welcome to the human race! I even think it’s good for kids to see that we aren’t perfect because that makes them feel better because they know they aren’t perfect. Your faith at your age is much stronger than mine was at your age. I sit back and admire young people entrenched in their faith and God as I wasn’t there at all when I was in my twenties. We all have our demons, faults, etc. Thank God for his forgiveness!!!!”

Thanks, Mom/Gaba! You are a source of so much wisdom, strength and encouragement for me!