Moms: First and Last and Always

Mark 10:31
" But many who are first will be last, and the last first. "


    There are 3 references in the Gospels of this same phrase: in Matthew, here in Mark, and in Luke. I would say that gives it some significance and that we should at least ponder its meaning. I'm not going to give you the scholarly take, the pulpits take, or the biblical expert's explanation of this verse. You are lucky enough to be reading the Michelle interpretation/spin!! Yay!

   What I see from this important message from Jesus, is that giving of one's self and putting others first is the way we need to go through life. We don't want to do it to gain first place or to receive an award as the most giving person or the most generous philanthropist, either. Or even, to get us in a better position in line at the pearly gates. As Christians, this should just be our modus operandi. We shouldn't even be thinking about our position or station in life, it should just flow naturally. I think too, that the most obvious example of this (other than Jesus, of course!) here on earth, is a mother.

    Motherhood is certainly one of the most "last place" kind of positions that our society has. The pay, for one thing, is terrible!! As a matter of fact, it'll cost you; not only monetarily, but physically, and emotionally, as well. And, it's a lifetime commitment with not a lot of opportunities for advancement. Oh sure, you could possibly get promoted to Grandma, Gigi, Nana or Bubie someday, but you still hold the same title you currently held: Mother (in my case Mom, mom, mom, mom, mom, mom...etc and so on).

   On the "first place" side though, motherhood has unbelievable benefits. You get to love. Love that grows and multiplies bigger, stronger and higher than you can ever imagine. You almost feel your heart could burst!! There are moments, too, that they love you back. AMAZE BALLS! (this phenomenon, seems to happen less when they are teenagers, but there are certainly those moments when you can still catch a glimpse). There's also the unbelievable pride that you feel. Sometimes it happens when you simply just watch your child dancing around in the living room, doing their homework, or catch them reading. Other times, it's bigger: watching them walk across the stage at graduation, getting their first job, having the people they work with or for telling you how amazing your child is, seeing them take a chance or a risk on a dream, and maybe (someday for me) telling you they found the love of their life and are going to have a baby of their own.

   Lord, thank you for giving me the best/worst, first/last position in the world!

Here's a pic of the first person that made me a mom.

July 1990

And, the last.

December 2012

   I wanted to give you (and my husband and children...) a list of my top picks for Mother's Day, this year. It's been a lean shopping year for me, because of our house. So this year's picks will be given with a strict budget in mind.

This tote...yes, Walmart shoppers, I like this purse! and the price is right.

$16.97 Time and Tru Straw Circle Tote, Walmart
 Comes in various colors. They were out of this color online, but I found several in my local store.

Towel sets. (*note to my family: NOT THIS COLOR!) We are finally to the stage where the bathrooms at the new house actually have tile and counters, so of course, my mind is currently decorating the bathrooms. There is nothing better than fresh new towels in a fresh new bathroom.

These towels are from Kohl's and come in 21 different colors. (look more at the blues please, family!)
Sonoma Goods for Life 6 Pack Towel with Hygro Technology, $64.99- Kohl's

And, not expensive and local for me but they do have a website, these bath and body products...

Welcome Home in Chestertown, MD. carries this wonderful array of lotions, soaps,
and other bath and body products by Barr-Co. and K.Hall Designs. Prices vary.

Happy Mother's Day to my beautiful mom, Paulette! and to all mom's! 

Have a blessed day today, and celebrate on Sunday, the best, first, last and always job you'll ever love!!

The Milliner's Great-Granddaughter

Daniel 3:21
" Then these men were bound in their cloaks, their tunics, their hats, and their other garments, and they were thrown into the burning fiery furnace. " ESV


   
 This sounds terrible, doesn't it? You're dressed in your best outfit, feeling sharp, and then the king demands that you are thrown into a fiery furnace! Well, probably for anyone else, this story would have had a terrible ending. But here, in the book of Daniel: Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, are met in the furnace by "a son of the gods" and much to everyone's astonishment (probably their own as well), they walk out: completely unburned, with their clothing still intact, and they don't even smell like smoke! They were protected by God, because of their faith.  Oh Lord, if we were judged solely on our faith, would we be burned? Don't answer, just pray on that one...

     Today, I have been putting off for over 3 hours writing this post. And shockingly, I started to write a post last November that I never published! (it's a shame because it looks like it would have been a good one, too!). In fact, it hasn't just been 3 hours, it's been almost 6 months that I've been putting off writing anything. Why? Well, I guess I was afraid. Afraid my post wouldn't be good enough, afraid that no one would read it, afraid that there would be misspellings, grammatical errors, afraid that I would be too revealing about what was happening in my life, maybe not revealing enough, afraid I wasn't faithful enough, that you could see through my faithfulness or lack thereof.

     It has been a long year and a half or more since we've moved to the eastern shore. Truly some very unpleasant things have happened in the building of our new home, but also some very special "God" moments as well. Personally, it has been draining as well. Children, no matter how wonderful, are just so darned draining!! Marriage is HARD! And, getting back to work or working at all when you have so much going on, is nearly impossible. But my God is the God of doing the impossible. So TODAY, May 1, 2019, I'm moving forward with God. He has created me for so much more. Ready or not, here I come.

     Why is this post named "The Millener's Great-Granddaughter"? Well, that would be me. Unfortunately, I don't really know a lot about my Great-Grandfather. My grandfather never really talked about his family life as a child. I was fortunate to have met my Great-Grandmother, and his brothers and sister. I am also very grateful to know their children and some of their children. What I do know is that at the turn of the 20th century, my Great-Grandfather was a milliner in Baltimore. A man that made a living making and/or selling hats to men and women. Can you imagine someone making a living doing that today? I can!!

     I was contacted by The Wallaroo Hat Company to represent them to their wholesale customers. How fun is that? I love that it totally fits my lifestyle. Currently, I represent Southwind Apparel, beautiful ladies clothing that is perfect for an active lifestyle, and Rodan + Fields, skincare products. What do all of these things have in common? Believe it or not, these are all skincare products! Yep. Southwind Apparel's clothing is UPF50 rated and not only do you obviously get some sun protection from wearing any hat, but many of Wallaroo's hats are also UPF50+ rated!! Skincare can be fashionable, too!

     Let me also just say something else. Each one of these companies: Rodan + Fields, Southwind Apparel, and Wallaroo Hat Company have been started by strong, smart, and talented WOMEN!!! Yeah, you go girls!! I pray that one day my daughters will be able to describe me that way, too.

     Here are some shots of me in some of my great new hat samples. Click on the link to view the catalog to see many more beautiful fashionable hats.
 

This fedora is called Palmer.  It's in the "Men's Collection", but these are great for men and women!

This hat, also a fedora, is the Monterey from "The W Collection"

I pray you have a wonderful Wednesday!