My granddaughters have spent the past week and a half with me and their grandpa in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. The twins love to craft, so a couple of days ago we decided to make a few Mother’s Day cards for their mom.
It was so fun to craft with them.
Since the twins were missing school, they brought some of their school work to do here. Of course, little 2-year old Katelyn who absolutely adores her older cousins wanted to join in on the reading and study times.
(Click on pics to enlarge.)
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This is Jessica and her new little son Mateo.
Jessica is the daughter of one of my dearest friends. Isn’t this picture beautiful! Happy Mother’s Day Jess!!
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And finally, this story was sent to me recently. I loved it so much that I wanted to share it here. If you have the time to read it, I think you will like it too.
**The Invisible Mother **
(Author Unknown)
It all began to make sense, the blank stares, the lack of response, the way one of the kids will walk into the room while I’m on the phone and ask to be taken to the store. Inside I’m thinking, ‘Can’t you see I’m on the phone?’ Obviously not; no one can see if I’m on the phone, or cooking, or sweeping the floor, or even standing on my head in the corner because no one can see me at all. I’m invisible. The invisible Mom. Some days I am only a pair of hands, nothing more! Can you fix this? Can you tie this? Can you open this?? Some days I’m not a pair of hands; I’m not even a human being. I’m a clock to ask, ‘What time is it?’ I’m a satellite guide to answer, ‘What number is the Disney Channel?’ I’m a car to order, ‘Right around 5:30, please.’ Some days I’m a crystal ball: ‘Where’s my other sock? Where’s my phone? What’s for dinner?’ I was certain that these were the hands that once held books and the eyes that studied history, music and literature–but now, they had disappeared into the peanut butter, never to be seen again. She’s going, she’s going, she’s gone!
One night, a group of us were having dinner, celebrating the return of a friend from England. She had just gotten back from a fabulous trip, and she was going on and on about the hotel she stayed in. I was sitting there, looking around at the others all put together so well. It was hard not to compare and feel sorry for myself. I was feeling pretty pathetic, when she turned to me with a beautifully wrapped package, and said, ‘I brought you this.’ It was a book on the great cathedrals of Europe. I wasn’t exactly sure why she’d given it to me until I read her inscription: ‘With admiration for the greatness of what you are building when no one sees.’
In the days ahead I would read – no, devour – the book. And I would discover what would become for me, four life-changing truths, after which I could pattern my work: 1) No one can say who built the great cathedrals–we have no record of their names. 2) These builders gave their whole lives for a work they would never see finished. 3) They made great sacrifices and expected no credit. 4) The passion of their building was fueled by their faith that the eyes of God saw everything.
A story of legend in the book told of a rich man who came to visit the cathedral while it was being built, and he saw a workman carving a tiny bird on the inside of a beam. He was puzzled and asked the man, ‘Why are you spending so much time carving that bird into a beam that will be covered by the roof, No one will ever see it. And the workman replied, ‘Because God sees.’
I closed the book, feeling the missing piece fall into place. It was almost as if I heard God whispering to me, “I see you. I see the sacrifices you make every day, even when no one around you does.” No act of kindness you’ve done, no sequin you’ve sewn on, no cupcake you’ve baked, no Cub Scout meeting, no last minute errand is too small for me to notice and smile over. You are building a great cathedral, but you can’t see right now what it will become.
I keep the right perspective when I see myself as a great builder. As one of the people who show up at a job that they will never see finished, to work on something that their name will never be on. The writer of the book went so far as to say that no cathedrals could ever be built in our lifetime because there are so few people willing to sacrifice to that degree.
When I really think about it, I don’t want my son to tell the friend he’s bringing home from college for Thanksgiving, “My Mom gets up at 4 in the morning and bakes homemade pies, and then she hand bastes a turkey for three hours and presses all the linens for the table.” That would mean I’d built a monument to myself. I just want him to want to come home. And then, if there is anything more to say to his friend, he’d say, “You’re gonna love it there…”
As mothers, we are building great cathedrals. We cannot be seen if we’re doing it right. And one day, it is very possible that the world will marvel, not only at what we have built, but at the beauty that has been added to the world by the sacrifices of invisible mothers.
Here’s wishing all those who mother a wonderful day today! God’s blessings to you all.
What a moving post, Susan! and goodness, your grandbabies are so beautiful! Congratulations to Jess on the birth of her precious son. Thank you for posting the anonymous story. I thoroughly savored every morsel. Happy Mother’s Day to you, too!
Ohh you are so Blessed, Happy Mother’s Day!!~
Happy Mother’s Day Susan. Your grandchildren are so, so cute. I can tell they are having a great time. The story was amazing. Thanks for sharing it.
Lovely story, TFS. Your granddaughters look so proud of their cards! I couldn’t help but notice the cards match their outfits. They must already have favorite colors. Happy Mother’s Day!
Great pictures and love the cards the girls made. I’m drooling with envy at how close to the beach and ocean you are. I grew up in Costa Rica and miss playing in the ocean waves and eating all that yummy tropical fruit 🙂 What precious time to spend with your grand daughters. Love the Cathedral story. Have heard it before and it always brings tears to my eyes and encourages me to keep on building 🙂
Thank you for sharing your Mother’s Day thoughts.
I love the pictures of the grandchildren, they certainly made some lovely cards and they must have had a lovely time with you.
I must say the photo of Jessica and Mateo is awesome.
Thank you for ‘The Invisable Mother’ It was greatly appreciated. Kindest regards kendell
You have beautiful grandchildren. Aren’t they the greatest blessing ever?!!!! I have six and they bring me so much joy. Happy Mother’s Day!
What precious photos. TFS! Your granddaughters are beautiful! I hope you had a very Happy Mother’s Day, Susan.
Hug, Pat
Wow, Susan, what a wonderful post you shared. Love the pics of the girls and that story was beautiful! It goes right along with the wonderful message we heard in church this morning. Thanks so much for sharing your adorable pictures and that awesome story. Happy Mother’s Day!
what a lovely Mother’s Day post! Sweet new baby and adorable grand daughters too!
What a wonderful, thoughtful tribute to Mom’s on this special day! I loved the story, and adore the pictures of your DGD’s. My how they’re growing! The mother/infant photo is just fabulous!! I hope you had a wonderful mother’s day too 🙂
Susan, your little grand daughters are so precious! Thanks for the photos…Happy Mother’s Day to you as well.
Susan this brought tears to my eyes. How many times as a mom do we question our own building of a cathedral. I loved this. Your grand babies are growing so fast. Special times and I love that they are crafters. Thanks for sharing.
Happy Mother’s Day Susan! This was the most beautiful post I read today…thank you for sharing!
Beautiful photos! I especially love the one of Jessica! gorgeous!
I do love that story. Very reassuring. 😉
These pictures are adorable of your granddaughters! I lvoe that their cards match their clothes, and the shot of them all laying down reading- so cute!
Oh my, Susan…you are sooo blessed with such precious granddaughters…you must be having the time of you lives!!!! I really enjoyed all the pictures and the story was sooo inspirational!!!
The cards you all made turned out great, they look so happy and pleased with their work 🙂
Precious picture of the new mom and her baby……
Oh Susan that story was very touching, yes it brought a tear to my eye, probably because my baby will soon be getting married and starting a life of her own.
What a beautiful post, Susan! I really like the story! Very toching and has so much meaning…
Love the adorable pictures of your cute granddaughters! Not only they are so beautiful, very talented too! Great job on the cards, girls! So glad you had wonderful vacation wth them!
Love the picture of new Mom and baby! So precious! 🙂
Susan, I’m sitting at my computer with tears running down my face after reading that wonderful story. It is just what my ‘mother’ heart needed! Thanks for sharing it and reminding us that even though we think no one ‘sees’ there are so many other women who are living the same story!
Oh my word, what a lovely post!! Thanks for posting that, Susan!
I’m totally GREEN with envy that you were in such a GORGEOUS place. Just look at how close you are to the ocean!! Ahhhh, heaven!
I have read this story before and it always brings tears. Every mother should read this, so thank you for sharing it here. Your grandchildren are so beautiful and sweet, and I know how much you adore them. Yes, the photo of Jessica and Mateo is very dear.
What a beautiful story! Thank you so much for sharing:)