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I remember like it was yesterday.
The sights, the smells, the sounds remain vivid in my mind, but the feelings – those are the strongest.
It was an ordinary day running ordinary errands, but it’s one of my favorite memories with my mom – a moment that made me forget all the insecurity, uncertainty, and loneliness balled up in my 8-year old heart. All it took was 5 minutes, a little Amy Grant, and a mom who was willing to be carefree.
Care-free :: even when a thousand things weighed us down and the worries piled up like laundry two-weeks late.
During that car ride, in those moments, she let it all go, and we were free.
I thought she had the best voice in the world, but of course she didn’t. She was just singing her heart out, and I saw her through the love glasses a daughter wears when she’s looking up at her Mama.
She could’ve made a million mistakes as a mom, but when we were in that old Saab Turbo with the windows down and the music cranked up, I was in awe – and I wanted to be just like her.
“They won’t remember what you said, they’ll remember how you made them feel,” chides the maxim, and the way my heart remembers is proof.
Singing Amy Grant at the top of our lungs in that old two-door coupe are some of my favorite memories with my mom.
Really, it didn’t cost her much or take too much effort. She didn’t spend any money or give me something. She was present, and she had fun.
I’m realizing just how special that is now that I’m a mom too.
I often wonder how to win my daughter’s heart – to keep her close and protect her. I can come up with elaborate ideas of how to gain her attention and not lose her to the world, but while focusing on a plan, I forget that I already have her attention — and keeping it isn’t as hard as I think.
Sometimes all it takes is 5 minutes with the music blasting and the willingness to be carefree.
Today I will ignore should and could, and I will let go of mommy guilt. I will embrace the free life Jesus died to give me, and I will live like I believe it.
Today I’m gonna crank up the tunes and sing my heart out with my daughter. For five minutes, at least, we will live care-free. You too?
Question for you ::
What memory stands out as one of your favorites with your mom? What were you doing and how did you feel? Is it something you can duplicate with your kids today?
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