From my Heart to Yours, Happy Mother's Day!

Today we celebrate motherhood.  This is a day that comes with many feelings.  The usual around here is breakfast in bed, flowers, relaxation (for me), multiple homemade mothers day cards, a hustling husband who is scurrying around to pull together a special meal for the moms of the family, and lots and lots of love.

Blueberry Waffles in Bed
made by my loving husband!

 I am also not without awareness of all of the ladies out there who have experienced hardships that may leave this day with disappointments and an ache in their heart.  I see you too!  I have experienced some of those disappointments myself throughout the course of my last 11 years of motherhood. As many of you know, this past year I was diagnosed with breast cancer.  The very first thought that raced through my mind was the very important role that I play..being a mother.  My children's faces flashed before my eyes and I just couldn't imagine putting them through such a hardship.  I couldn't imagine not being there for them.  I wanted to be their mom more than ever!

Last July at the cottage.  I
knew something was wrong
and suspected cancer but I had no idea.
I look happy but my heart
 was so heavy in this picture.
I needed to take as many
pictures as possible with
my kids.  The future was unknown.

I had the opportunity to get away this weekend with my mom and sister in law. My mom has a cottage in Pymatuning where we like to go.  Last July we were away at that cottage when I first discovered my lump.  I had not returned back to the cottage until this past weekend.  I didn't really think about it much until the second day being up there and I went to use the bathroom.  Something about the mirror in that bathroom causes me to pause for a moment and look into it.  I don't really do that at home because my mirrors are smaller.  I had that flashback moment this time that took me back to last July. I then had a moment where I just wanted to thank that mirror for being there.  For being big enough to cause me to pause for a moment to see myself.  I thank God for that moment and for that mirror!! I remember spending the rest of my time that July week holding all of the fears of the world inside. Putting on a brave face for those around me and capturing as much quality time as possible with my precious ones.

Lifesaver!

This past week I was also able to attend my daughters Spring concert.  While watching my daughter sing her heart out I teared up remembering that just in December I was coming out of a long 13 hour surgery which kept me from being able to attend her Christmas concert.  This time I was front and center, taking pictures and videos and proudly waving to my girl!

Way to sing your heart out Mar Mar!

Last night Glimmer of Hope, a nonprofit organization supporting women with breast cancer, held an event with Chick Fil A and 100.7, called Hero Night.  It was an amazing event at the Children's Museum where Moms were celebrated as being Heroes!  We had a truly memorable evening being all together. They pampered us and fed us and brought out the boogie in us!  Thank you Diana Napper for being who you are and passing on that Glimmer of Hope to so many women!



















To my family and to anyone who this may speak to.. this is the cry of my heart ~

"God, I want to say thank you.  I want to thank you for my husband, I want to thank you for my children, I want to thank you for the responsibility you have given to me.  Thank you for my parents who show me great love.  Thank you God for this Mothers day.  Thank you for my life.  I will not take it for granted and will continue to thank you for having Grace upon me.  God I lift up those who may be suffering on this day. Those who wish to be a mom, lost a mom, lost a child, are separated from their loved ones, those who are single parenting and don't get that break, everyone...I pray that they would feel your GRACE today!"

Happy Mothers Day, from my heart to yours!


~Amanda Grace

My Mothers Day Gift of Flowers