I am linking up for Five Minute Friday.  The FMF is hosted by Kate Motaung on her blog Heading Home. Today’s prompt is “Mom.”

Sifting through beautiful treasured moments, my heart fills with longing and memories slowly trickle down my face.

As I close my eyes, I can smell the delectable, delightful, and delicious scent of freshly baked cookies. Quickly the sugary morsels  would disappear, as the eager hands of neighborhood children would lift the tasty treats to satisfy their taste buds. If my mom had a nickle for every home-made treat she handed out over the years, she would be a wealthy woman.

Mom made everything from scratch, so most of our growing up years you would find her in the kitchen, which I would describe as the heart of our home.  A large wooden table graced the middle of the room.  Around the kitchen table secrets were shared, tears of joy and deep sorrow were shed, agonizing hours of homework completed, intense games of monopoly, and hilarious moments were shared.  Friends gathered around the table for coffee and Mom always provided a delightful treat.  Her hands were usually in constant motion, but when a sympathetic ear was needed she stopped and gave full attention.

In the summer our garden was not a hobby, it was a means to feed our family.  Hundreds of hours gathering, preparing, and canning the bountiful harvest from our garden is how my Mom spent each summer. The well used table was filled with enough produce to fill a grocery store, several times.  In the midst of the constant chaos, Mom would hand out home-made popsicles to all of the kids gathered outside to play in our yard.  Mom loved our friends and would take the time to listen and offer words of encouragement.  A favorite nickname for our home was the cozy cottage.

There was always room at the dinner table for one more plate, even though finances were tight.  Every night after supper, even when we had company, the Bible would come out and we would end our time together, with evening devotions.

Mom did not just tell us we needed to trust God, she showed us how to put all things in the hands of God.  She has spent countless hours in prayer for her children, their spouses, grandchildren, and friends.

There are still lessons I need to learn from her.  My heart cannot keep up with how quickly times passes, and I do not know how I am going to let my boys go.  Mom never stopped us from following and living our dreams, even though it meant all of us would move hours away from home.  Mom has a deep and abiding faith in Jesus, and I know He held her close to His heart, as she let us go.

Mom,  I love you.  I am blessed beyond measure by the gift God gave to me in you.