February 5, 2018

Life Passes And Roles Reverse

I was sitting at my kitchen table a few days ago, writing out bills for my mother. As I was signing them, I suddenly stopped and thought about how our lives unfold and our roles reverse.  It's funny isn't it? How we can go along, day by day, living our lives until suddenly, something random causes us to stop and reflect on a much bigger picture. Like the way our mothers care for us for so many years, and if we are blessed, someday we have the chance to care for them in return.

As I wrote out her bills that day, I thought about how many times my dear mother had written out and signed things for me. I thought about her being a young mother filling out permission slips for field trips, and signing checks for majorette boots and batons. I thought about how many times she sat at the kitchen table signing report cards and health forms.

Today, as I carefully filled my mother's pill case for the week, I thought about how years ago, she had carefully opened the Bayer Baby Aspirin bottle and counted out pills for me. I thought about how my mom gave me Flintstone Vitamins every morning and Castoria every Saturday night.

My mom stayed with us this weekend, and last night I pulled the comforter down and smoothed out the sheets on her bed. I thought about all the times my mom had changed the sheets on my bed and how many times she tucked me into bed.

Those memories so often make me wish I were back there, in my Mom and Dad's house, watching my mom write out bills, and fixing my bedsheets. They also make me realize how very blessed I am to be able to do these small acts of love for my mother.  I am blessed to have had her nurture me and love me and care for me all these years. I am thankful that I am able to do these small things in return. And I am blessed that I am but one link in this unending chain of mothers and daughters in this amazing thing called life.












23 comments:

  1. What a blessing to have your Mother with you! Memories are precious and make tears roll down our faces sometimes! My Mother passed away in 1988 at 63 years old. I miss her terribly but OH SO thankful to have lots of precious memories! Have a blessed day dear friend, HUGS!

    ReplyDelete
  2. I too am blessed to still have both my parents, I pray each day that their home will be sold soon so that they will be near us again. A truly uplifting post.

    ReplyDelete
  3. That is sweet.
    I live continents away from my parents but my in laws live with us and it is nice to be able to create a support system with them and the kids love having them around as well.

    http://www.henatayeb.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  4. Hi Billie Jo~

    What a very touching post, Billie Jo. It's so true, we do change roles, and it is a blessing to be able to take care of these sweet mom's who loved us and cared for us when we were small...it's the least we can do...and what a privilege it is! My sweet mother is past the childlike stage, she is more like a toddler, and I am still trying to find my way with that. But, I love her, and will do whatever it takes to make her comfortable and happy. My mom is in a memory care home, and I am so thankful for others who lovingly take care of her needs on a daily basis...they are unsung hero's.

    I have always been touched by the way you talk about your sweet mom; always with such love and respect. I loved your post where you thought it would be wonderful if we could all meet you mom! What an honor that would be! You are an amazing daughter, which says a lot for your amazing mom!

    Have a wonderful week, and give your mom a hug for me!

    Hugs and Love,
    Barb

    ReplyDelete
  5. So heartfelt. Took me back to memories of my Mother and how I would have loved to have done more for her, she passed on at age 61 in 1980. You're blessed to still have her.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Billie Jo, your post today is so touching, I have tears in my eyes as I write. You are so blessed to have her with you. Life seems so short sometimes. I love the sweet photo of you and her. Such a sweet love story. ♥

    ReplyDelete
  7. Oh my so ture..one of my favorite posts. I don't ever take for granted that both my parents are healthy and live right around the corner from me.
    Love the picture of you and your mom.

    ReplyDelete
  8. You are so sweet and your mom is also. I hope to have some good feeling return about my mom, but she is so hard! Hope you never have to go through this. Happy Monday!

    ReplyDelete
  9. Billie Jo, this is such a beautiful post. I think it's wonderful how you can find the joy in the role reversal. Some may find that to be another chore, but you can find the good in it. You are so very present in the every day gifts. What a kind soul you have. You seem to have inherited all the good qualities you say that your mother has!

    ReplyDelete
  10. so so beautiful. and I love how you see the stage you are in as a blessing right now. And you mom is precious.

    ReplyDelete
  11. It is great you have your mom and you can do things for her, things that in the past she has done for you. Great memories.

    ReplyDelete
  12. Your Mother is blessed to have you at this time in her life.....as you had her in your time. The circle of life rolls on.

    ReplyDelete
  13. Hi...I am bj from Sweet Nothings and this is my first time here..I wondered for a second how I found my way here...but after reading a bit, I know God sent me by for a smile, a tear and saying AMEN to your sweet post. I am an olden woman that just lost her sweet husband of 57 years last summer. I am so totally lost without him and with my wonderful family...2 children, 10 grands and all the mates and 4 great grands helping me along in everything possible, I am blessed.Yes, I took care of them for awhile and now they are taking even better care of me. Sooo...I know your mama is so proud to be taken care of now. Love to you and to all those you love.

    ReplyDelete
  14. Love love love. <3 This was an amazing post.

    Madison | Breakfast at Madison’s

    ReplyDelete
  15. All so true and a beautiful post and reminder of all our moms have done for us.

    ReplyDelete
  16. So sweet! You are such a blessing to your Mom and your family. Love this post!

    ReplyDelete
  17. Such a sweet post, and yes! I completely appreciate the depth of your words. I'm so excited to go visit my mama a week from this Saturday :)

    ReplyDelete
  18. This is just a wonderful, beautifully written post. I am so happy that you are able to share that love with your mom. We forget sometimes in the business of life how much all those small gestures truly mean. One day one of my grand said to me- I know you love us cuz you iron our pillowcases! An act I thought went unnoticed and probably made no difference to anyone but me.

    I just realized that I think your blog quit pulling up on my sidebar when you do a new post. I am going to delete the old link and add it again to see if that works. Love to you- xo Diana

    ReplyDelete
  19. I couldn't have said it better myself. And I know you know how I feel about this. There really is no way to thank my parents for all they have done for me, except to do the same for them....and I love doing it. It's the circle of life. And it's pretty great ♥ Beautifully written post, my friend. Your mom is very lucky to have you ♥ xo

    ReplyDelete
  20. OH what a wonderful way to look at helping your mama. You are a blessed lady and you are a blessing!
    Laura of Harvest Lane Cottage

    ReplyDelete
  21. What a sweet and heartfelt post. You and your mother are such a blessing to each other.

    ReplyDelete

Thanks so much for saying hello!

Billie Jo