“Lilacs” by Scott J. Allen (creative commons license applies)
“My mother said to me, ‘If you are a soldier, you will become a general. If you are a monk, you will become the Pope.’ Instead, I was a painter, and became Picasso.” ~ Pablo Picasso
My mom was a cheerleader. No, not the “uniform with pompoms” kind. She was and is far more than that, especially to me. I relate to the Picasso quote above, not because of me but because of my mother. She is the kind of mom every boy should have had. She’s strong and quietly supportive. A giver. An amazing giver.
She coached and coaxed the best out of the men in her life, one by one. My father, then my brother, then me. Each of us are better and stronger men because of her influence and support. She instilled confidence. Confidence that I could be anything I wanted to be and do anything I wanted to do. Many of my early successes as an adult were because she built courage in me to take risks – especially for the people I love and the things in which I believe.
She is fiercely loyal and unwaveringly supportive.
She is loving and self-sacrificing. Always has been.
As a child, I never knew the sacrifice with which my parents gave. As a child I always thought we were rich – she’s always had a way of making people feel that way. I didn’t realize until later that the extravagant Christmases weren’t a product of monetary wealth, but a product of my mother’s personal wealth: consistently putting others before herself.
She’s still that way. Still amazing as ever.
Here’s to you, mom. You are the best. I’m grateful for you and all you’ve done. I’m grateful for the example you set of what real love looks like. I’m just sure your giving is thought of in Heaven like that of Cornelius in Acts 10, “…your prayer has been heard, and your charities have been put on record before God.”
She’s probably a bit embarrassed that I’ve written all of this for you to read. You see, she’s always been more comfortable out of the spotlight, taking the role of cheerleader, encourager and coach.
Donna Jean Allen, you are a great mother. Always have been. Always will be. Happy Mother’s Day.
