It’s foggy and rainy. The girls enjoyed their Saturday morning movie privilege while my husband studied for his upcoming boards, and I wrote some and pondered mentor moms. I thought about how blessed I am to have my own mom as a mentor. My mother-in-law, too, has been a gift in my mothering life.
Then there are some of my childhood friends. We have grown up together, and now we’re growing into the kinds of moms we feel called to become.
There are my church friends and the moms in my homeschool co-op who inspire me nearly every day to keep in better touch with my faith and with God. They answer my homeschooling questions and give me pep talks when I feel like I’m the only one swimming against a strong current.
There’s my 88-year-old nana who imparts bits and pieces of wisdom every time she speaks.
There are the mom friends I met during the different phases of my husband’s medical training (med school wife friends, friends I met during his transitional year, resident wife friends). Although I haven’t known some of these friends for long, the Internet makes it so much easier to keep in touch with people you meet during quick pit stops in life.
Speaking of which, there’s my online community – all of you who inspire and encourage me daily with your comments, your own blogs, your prayers, and with the grace-filled lives you lead.
Then there’s the Mother of All Mothers. What a gift that I have Mary to turn to when I’m in need of a good dose of maternal empathy or when I just need to quiet my heart. Last night I prayed a rosary while I nursed Mary Elizabeth in the darkness of night. As I was nourishing my baby, I thought of the times when I’ve been pierced by hunger or fear and a real life mom mentor hasn’t been on call to comfort me; yet, Mary was waiting, waiting to help me see that she was there, longing to remind me that when I cry out in my emptiness, she will not forsake me.
I’m tired of the rain and the fact that the call for a wintry mix in Georgia thwarted our plans to go house hunting (we’re taking a rain check, and we hope we’ll be headed out tomorrow). Yet, I’m thankful I had the moment to consider all the moms who have supported me in my mothering journey. Thank you. You are in my prayers.