This post comes a little late, as the blogging moments are few and far between. So the birthday celebrating just gets to carry on a little longer. Last week we celebrated my Mom's birthday with a day out on the town; to the town of Carmen. Mom was asked at the Credit Union in the morning what we would be doing in Carmen to make a day of it? Well, there was much fun to be had! For starters we grabbed coffees for the trip, I needed caffeine after all, since I would be missing out on a nap with my baby that day. The roads were in poor shape, however conversation and 'all eyes' on the road got us there in good form. Our first stop was at the Nine Lives Consignment Clothing Store to do some bargain hunting. The owner was very welcoming and delighted to have a family of women come shopping. She said a group of sisters were usually the most entertaining and had the most fun :) Well I had to take a corner as soon as we arrived as my baby demanded some attention; while the gals laughed, tried on clothes and oohed and aahed. I couldn't help but chuckle while listening to my sisters talk excitedly in low German over their, entertaining for sure.
Next stop was just around the corner to the Fabric Store. Mom found some cute apron panels she wanted to sew, while we delighted ourselves with the array of fabric designs. Of course it wasn't long and then we were dreaming out loud about owning a little fabric shop ourselves and how we could but our creative inspiration to use. Maybe someday.
Our mom is a talented sewer and through these last years has sewn many camping blankets, quilts and aprons for her family. Her children and grand children have all received keepsake blankets that she has sewn with love and creativity. Mine is always handy on the couch to cuddle up in. She has a weakness for fabric, that we girls also have inherited and so it's pretty hard to leave a fabric store without some fabric; even if it will sit on the shelf at home for a while.
By now it was our tummy's were telling us it was time for food. It was a no-brainer that we would choose the Drive-In, since we all enjoy a good burger! Retro's Drive-In had just the right theme going on too, Mom really enjoyed the vintage Coca Cola décor. With burgers, glass bottles of Coke and the place to ourselves; we had good laughs, photos taken and just a relaxing time with our lunch.
Last stop was the MCC store to see what other treasures we could hunt for. Once again, baby had me heading to the first easy chair I could find. Of course it was sitting near a sunny window and it didn't take me long to feel a little sleepy, so I just rested till the gals were done. We made our way back to Portage to finish up some shopping there and back home for supper time. It was a fun day out, something we don't get to do to often because of busy lives and work schedules. Moments likes these are important though to reconnect, share in our family commonalities and bless our mom for what she has all done for us children.
I'm so thankful to still have my mom. Sadly it's true that we often don't realize what we have until it's gone, when you lose one parent that really rings true and you wish for moments to express what they really meant to you. And so I pray that God will often remind me to not take my mom for granted, to look for more ways to appreciate her and show her the love I have for her. My prayer is that in her life as a widow and older age, the moments of loneliness and longing would be replaced by a renewed sense of assurance that Jesus will carry her through the journey with the faith and the love and care of her family.
Christina
