Because I Love You

  Happy Mother’s Day! Me and my newest granddaughter Ellara Zoë, born 3/6/23 Humility  - to place the value of others above one’s own; a virtue, a strength; to free oneself from pride and arrogance -  especially in a world full of boasting to get ahead of others in rank, stature, and popularity (Webster’s Dictionary and Momma Tina).   Jesus humbled himself by taking on the nature of a servant, and humbling himself even to die on the cross for us, committing the ultimate act of humility - to sacrifice oneself for another.   Placing the life of another above one’s own is a transformative experience. I didn’t think I could ever do something like that, or ever want to. But that was before I became a mother. I learned that mother’s put their lives on the line for their children.   My realization came through a dream, but it was real to me at the time. It was 37 years ago, and I never forgot it.    I was a first time mother to a beautiful baby boy. When...

By Tina Chapman DaCosta, Journal entry 9/11/2016 Tina and Mother Eleanor Cannaday, circa 1966 or 67 Happy Mother's Day Mom! And to all our Moms! I wrote this reflection in my journal 9/11/2016: My earliest memories of “my spot” was sitting on my mother’s lap in church. I was maybe 3 or 4-years old, and after what seemed like a long morning of drawing on the church bulletin, making stick people and coloring with a pencil, I needed my spot. I was no longer satisfied sitting on the hard, well shellacked and butt shined wooden pew next to my mother, nestled in like a rabbit in a hole, boarded by the back of the pew in front of us and the other person sitting next to me. I was entrenched in my rabbit hole coloring, drawing, and swinging my feet as they dangled below the pew. I admired my black patent leather shoes and my white lace socks turned down around my ankles. I liked how the lace flared across my shoes, the contrast of white and black with my mocha colored well-greased legs. Som...