I Got it From My Mama

My mom created the most idyllic and sweetest childhood I think I could have ever had. All of her intentionality plus the things she probably didn’t even consciously think about greatly affected the way I view others and the world around me.

Name a holiday or an occasion and I will probably have a story for something my family did year after year.

First day of school? - no-bake cookies on the counter when you got home from school

Christmas? One ornament every year so that when we moved away from home we would have a set to decorate our first tree (this one is my favorite and one we plan to carry on with our children!)

Christmas Morning? Nutmeg bread for breakfast, made by my mom. She would make loaves and loaves to give away during the month of December, but in my memory I didn’t ever eat it until that morning.

St. Patrick’s Day? Green iced brownies with sprinkles.

Birthdays? A giant cardboard cutout of Snoopy on the fireplace with balloons and a present stack from mom and dad.

Those are just a few. Some more simple than others but nonetheless impactful. I think it has greatly shaped who I am today. My heart beats for traditions and celebrations. One, because I loved them so much, two, because, having been on the receiving end, I know what it does to a person’s heart. So I am here, seeking to celebrate the ones who never had a birthday cake before, seeking out to establish traditions with the tradition-less. Together, they create belonging - a feeling that says, “You are seen, you are known and loved and we’ve prepared a place for you.”

So Mom, thank you for cultivating my heart to love to celebrate others. You’ve done it well and I’ll do my best to carry it on, it’s my honor.