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...

I put Aaron on the potty seat in the bathroom, he was 20 months old, then I went into the kid’s bedroom to finish nursing Ana. After I finished with Ana, I heard Cannaday’s high pitch voice coming from another room, “Be still Aaron. Be still.” I was so busy getting ready I forgot Aaron was on the potty seat. It was December 1988 and we were getting ready to attend a Kwanzaa celebration and dinner. This was going to be our first big family outing since having Ana in August. We were living in a two‐bedroom townhome. The bathroom and bedrooms were upstairs and the living room, kitchen, dining room, and family rooms were on the first floor. I assumed their father was in the basement level of our townhouse ironing his clothes. I tightened up my bathrobe and headed for the bathroom down the hall to get Aaron off the potty seat. The light was on, and Aaron was sitting quietly on the “throne” while Cannaday, his 3 ½ year old big brother, was standing in front of him. The “throne” is a pott...