When I was a little
girl I loved babies. If my mother couldn't find me in a social
setting, she knew I
had found a baby to
hold. As I became a teenager, I felt a longing to have a baby of my
own; someone to hold and love. And
eventually, someone to love me back!
Fast forward to 1971
on a snowy October day, when our first son, Steve II, was born. It
was a long (17 hours) labor, but very worth it. Steve is the typical
first born; *reliable, conscientious, structured, cautious, dominant,
achiever! Steve has been a manager of Hoss' Restaurant's since he
was 19 and began working in the dish room when he was 16. He is the
guy that sees a need and gets it done. He has shown leadership
in the Jaycee's in Somerset plus he was the commissioner of the AYSO
for a while and is now coach and referee. He is a good father and a
wonderful son.
The closest I got to
having twins was Steve and Penny, being one year and five days apart.
As the second born child with an older brother, Penny also qualifies
as the firstborn female in the family which may explain why she also
possesses the nurturing leader qualities of a firstborn child. I
taught her how to coupon and she surpassed me. I taught her how to
knit and she knits better than me and recently learned to crochet. I
taught her how to cook and she makes some dishes I have never made.
She is a good baker too. Penny has taken over the responsibility of
providing a lot of the family gatherings. Penny is a good wife,
mother, friend and daughter.
Matt is the middle
child; *people pleaser,somewhat rebellious (there was a certain
age!), thrives on friendships, has large social circle, peacemaker.
When Matt was a little boy, I often said he would give the coat off
his back if the need arose. And he is still like that as a 40 year
old man. Matt is very giving and thoughtful. He has been a tractor
trailer driver for many years. Matt is a good father, husband and
son who values family relationships.
As the last child
some of these fit Amy; *fun loving, uncomplicated, persuasive,
outgoing, attention-seeker, spontaneous. Amy was a joy to have in
our home. The older children loved playing school, church and family
with her when she was a baby. She brought many gales of laughter
into our home. She recently in the past two years became a tractor
trailer driver like her brother and husband. CDL drivers run in our
family! (pun intended) Amy is a sensitive, caring person and as our
youngest at 36, she is a loyal friend, a good wife and mother, a doting aunt and a sweet daughter.
There is one child
that never got to call me mommy. A miscarried baby soon after we
were married went to be with Jesus. With life crowding in, I wasn't
giving this child much thought until a few years ago when someone I
knew was experiencing this grief. It made me visualize my child up
in heaven, enjoying being with Jesus. It became real again after all
these years. It is a real comfort and joy to look forward to meeting
this child one day and then perhaps I will hear him/her call me “Mommy”.
I wasn't a perfect
mom. I made mistakes. I think my children have forgiven me for my
shortcomings. There are a few things I would do differently as a mom:
I would
have played more with my children.
I would
have spent more time with them.
I
wouldn't impose my personal convictions on them.
I would
have taken more vacations that were not church related.
I would
have majored on the majors more and less on the miners.
I am so
blessed by my children. They are now old enough to value my advice
and occasionally ask for it. They show me respect and love. It is
such a blessing to see all my children enjoying each other and having
good relationships. On Mother's Day, they will either visit or call
to wish me a Happy Mother's Day. I may get flowers or a gift of some
sort which I really appreciate. But do things really matter when I
have four of the best gifts - my children!
The
greatest gift I could get is found in III John 1:4, “I have no
greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth.”
*Personality traits
by birth order by Jocelyn Voo; parents.com
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