I haven't been a fan of "Love Languages". It seems like church members hopped on the band wagon when this book came out and "love language" became a lesson staple. I have since changed my mind and feelings about love languages. With that said, I still don't want it taught in lessons and talks!
Yesterday was Mother's Day. I prayed extra hard that I would not be ridden with guilt and sadness; I tend to choose this day to focus on all the wrong I did and all the right I didn't do as a mother. (Lame...I know. I am working on this!) Certainly not by any fault of dad or you children, but I usually end up going to bed glad that the day is over.
Maybe it was my faithful effort with the prayers, but this Mother's Day was different.
The day started off with sweet kindnesses of Holly, Hannah and Natalie getting up early and making breakfast for me and it ended with Jared and the girls creating a perfect dinner. I loved seeing and hearing them all work together and the end results were yummy and fun to participate in.
Service is one of the five Love Languages. I greatly appreciated their labors in my behalf and recognized them as displays of love given to me. It was a treat to be spoiled with these thoughtful acts of service and I was genuinely touched by how they offered me their love.
Now I speak of another love language. Words, whether spoken or written, have a powerful affect on me and how I feel love.
The day before Mother's Day, I received a card in the mail from Daniel and Emily. On the front was a drawing of stick figures resembling Dan, Em and Pappy (and two fish?) with the words: Happy Mommy Day! It undoubtedly was Daniel's handiwork. On the back was a much more detailed drawing of Daniel and Emily in their wedding hearts wishing me a Happy Mother's Day; obviously Emily's handiwork. Inside this homemade card both Daniel and Emily wrote sweet words of love and appreciation. Upon opening and examining this card, I could not keep from smiling. Better yet, I felt loved!
Sunday morning, I received my first highly anticipated Mother's Day phone call and joyfully looked forward to hearing from each child throughout the day. These cherished phone calls all consist of basically the same thing.........you kids telling me Happy Mother's Day, me asking about your lives and you sharing tidbits of your life with me. They all end in basically the same way, with the most wonderful words I live to hear: "I love you too mom." I know you all love me and am not sure why hearing the words "I love you" means so much to me, but it does.
Sunday night after dinner, dishes and Skipbo were done, Hannah handed me a 2 page hand written letter titled the ABC's of Mommy! In that letter she recalled specific experiences, characteristics, talents, and even silly funny things that she loved about me. Natalie also handed me a hand written note of how she loved me and what I meant to her. I went to bed with the sweetest feeling of being loved and cherished.
I share all this with you because words speak to my heart! They uplift and comfort me. They bring peace and assurance that I am accepted and loved. Words bring me hope. I reread letters, emails, cards and notes because of how they make me feel each time I read them. I play words spoken to me over and over in my mind so I can feel that love again and again. It is safe to say that words are my love language.
Thank you dear family for your words! I realize it is a need in me and I am grateful that you respond to that need. Happy Mother's Day to me. It really was! I love you all.
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