Advent, Day 23

I feel like a million dollars right now. Seriously. It is my mother's birthday today. My mother is in Michigan and I am here in Edmonton. So, I found her the perfect e-card for her birthday -- she is an avid Scrabble player, and I happened to find a Scrabble e-card. Then, I sent her flowers. A Christmas centerpiece actually. I debated about whether to send a mix of flowers and treats, but figured she would be having whatever treats she wants anyways, so the flowers were the better choice.

I waited a couple of hours after placing the order online, praying that it would be a good quality arrangement and that she would be home to get them. Then I decided I would call my sister Karen, who is living there right now, to make sure someone was scheduled to be home at most times during the day to receive them. So, I called, and Mom answered:

"Hello?"
"Hi, Mom, it's Kathy."
"Oh hi." I heard Maggie barking in the background. "Get back!" she ordered Mag. "Just a minute, Kath, there's someone at the door"........ (I heard the door open) ........ Yes, that's me ....... They're for me? ...... Oh, they're lovely! ......... (she finishes her conversation with the delivery man and comes back to the phone) ......... I got flowers."
"Aha. That's nice."
"Do you know who they are from?"
"Probably from me!"
"Probably?"
"Unless someone else is sending you flowers!"
She laughed. "They're gorgeous. Thank you."

We talked for a while. Like I said, I feel like a million dollars. I knew I did something right. Mom has always loved flowers and centerpieces, though has rarely indulged herself as both my parents are wise spenders.

I was Mom's first child, born in 1961 when she was 24 years old, about 13 months after marrying my father. I wonder how she felt, carrying me around, not knowing really what it would be like to give birth -- the risks, the pain, not to mention the complete change of life! I know that I was treasured and loved by her (and my father). And I know I was very special to her mother as well, as I was her first grandchild. Certain traditions carried down to me -- my middle name is Marie as is my mom's as well. The first girl in all the families of the O'Briens were given that middle name.

I can only imagine what it must have been like for Mary to be carrying Jesus around for 9 months. She knew she was carrying God's son, but must have wondered about the risks (they sure did not have the same health care as we do - and He was born in a manger!), the pain, and I can't imagine what she thought about the change of life coming to her! I'm sure there was fear. People were looking for her and this baby she had - they desperately wanted to get rid of Him.

Jesus came here and experienced life as a baby, growing child, teen, young adult, and then a man. He was treasured and loved by his earthly parents as they took care of him, nurtured him, etc. So, I imagine that he experienced this kind of a million dollars feeling at some point when celebrating his mom's birthday, after coming up with just the right gift or present. Is that too earthly for him? I don't think so. If it wasn't for a birthday, then it was for something else.

Everything we do is supposed to honour our Father in heaven. One of those things we do that honours HIm, is to honour our mothers.

This day is for Mom. Thank you, God, for my mom -- she's the best!