These are two of my children – my oldest and my youngest – both mothers now.  My first born, Amy, is pictured on the right.  She was my guinea pig so to speak.  I guess our first child is always a new adventure every day – a new experience and a new challenge.  This is something we need all the help we can get.  By the time my third child, Joy was born, I was an old hand at parenting, but I still needed all the help I could get.

Amy was raised with Dr. Spock – advice from grandmothers, aunts and friends.  My sister in law was present at Amy’s birth, as a student nurse.  She saw what I missed, because I was under anesthesia.  When we took her home from the hospital, we checked on her breathing throughout the first night.  She slept straight through while we didn’t catch a single wink.   Everything with Amy was a first for us.  Being the oldest, more responsibility  was laid upon her shoulders.  I guess we expected more of her than the others, but she grew into a lovely woman who would have two sons of her own.

Joy is our youngest.  She was scheduled to be born on Christmas Eve, but showed up a couple weeks early.  By this time, I was becoming an old hand at this mother thing.  She was born with a full head of black hair and looked as if she was wearing a wig.  Later in life, she became a beautician and even though she no longer cuts hair, she is still knows how.  Her daughter is now the recipient of her talents. She was the perfect baby.  This had nothing to do with me.  She had two babysitters which preceded her so they were always available to watch over her. The child who escaped the terrible twos found them when she turned five.  This precocious little girl gave me a run for my money.

Every time I look at these two women, I can’t help but wonder how they became what they are.  They’re both lovely.  They have their own personalities.  Amy is more conservative and Joy has a free spirit.  Each of them is unique and they’ve inherited certain genes from a long line of strong women. They have faith in God’s presence in their lives.  They realize the importance of passing that legacy down to their children.  They both possess a strong work ethic and a sincere concern for other people.  I know that God had everything to do with that.

I’m so blessed to have these wonderful women in my life.  I cherish them as perfectly crafted diamonds in my crown of living.  I know that God has placed them in my care for a little while and I know that someday they will return the favor.

We make mistakes in our parenting.  We often forget to praise them.  We may continue to reprimand or give orders.  We may not be doing it right, but if we have God beside us, He will make sure that the final result is good.

Happy Mother’s Day to my beautiful daughters.