One of the greatest gifts my mother has ever given me was love of music; especially early ‘60s folk and Peter, Paul and Mary, Simon and Garfunkel, Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young. She would play guitar for me and sing, and I would just listen, enraptured by her beautiful voice and the smile she wore while singing (don’t worry, she’s fine-this isn’t like a memorial post or anything). The first song she ever taught me (and the first I ever learned on guitar) was Catch the Wind by Donovan. I still remember in vivid colors my room that night, the patchouli incense I had burning, her teaching me how to hold the guitar and strum.
We made bath bombs and talked about our perspectives on God, creation and theology in general. I feel so truly and deeply honored to have such an amazing, creative, intelligent, inspiring and loving woman in my life, to look up to and my heart overflows with love and joy to have the opportunity to not only call her my best friend, but my mother as well.
We heard “The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face” by Peter, Paul, and Mary (click link below) come up on my ’60s Folk Pandora station and my mom had never heard their version of it. After the first few notes I mentioned how much I loved that song. So it felt wonderful to introduce her to it.
So in the spirit of “gratitude practices”, mom, I thank the God of my understanding each day for you, but especially for the memories made tonight.
What an absolutely LOVELY tribute to your mom — while she is still alive and well and able to read it! As flawed humans, we seem so stuck on pouring out our hearts about those we love, respect and admire only AFTER they are gone. Often, those very people may have never known just how deeply they impacted our lives.
As a mom, this just does my heart good to read this, and, knowing your mom as I do, I know this brought her oodles of joy!
Bravo, Heather, on such a beautiful, well written and heartfelt blog post!
Love you with all my heart, sweetie.