My mother… she’s had such an important role to play where I am today. As a young child, she introduced me to Jesus—which to this day has changed my life.
Her and dad took us to church and Sunday school every week, no matter what the weather was like or how tired they might have been from working on the farm. We learned about Jesus there, and how He wants us to live our life through His word.
I find myself especially thinking of her every Mother’s Day, as she has been such a deep influence on my journey of faith.
Traditions of Musical Worship
My mom taught my siblings and me how to sing, and we followed her lead as she strummed away on her ukulele, all of us lined up at the front of our church. As a little kid it was so scary, but when I looked at mom smiling and singing the words to the song, it made it ‘all better’ to join in.
She had such a gentle way of encouraging us and reminding us that we can do ALL things through Christ. (I’m not sure how my brother felt standing up with all us girls at the front of the church, but he became a very good sport about it….and joined in with the singing).
Recently I had the “little red book” out that my mom would write all her songs in years ago. She never had the music, but just the words to all her favourite songs and choruses…. which eventually became mine.
She would take this little red book with her anytime she sang at church, just to have as her backup for the words. Little did I know how special this little book would become to me, all these years later, to have penned from my mom of all her favourite songs throughout the years.
To be honest I am sure it has a lot to do with the “old soul” I am today.
I grew up with these old songs and learned to love them; they were always buried deep down in my heart. So at a moment’s notice, one of them will naturally come bursting out, and that always creates a sense of peace in my spirit as I sing away.
Growing up in the country was a lifestyle few people probably get to experience anymore. At the time when I was a young girl, I didn’t understand the gold that I was experiencing on the farm with my family life. (I thought Paris would be a much better option.)
But over time and years, I realize that these old songs that have been woven into the background of these memories have helped shape me into who I am today.
My grandma Mills and my mom were the ones who started me off playing the piano from the “Jimmy Swaggart” song books. I would love to listen to them play or sing a song, and then I would try my best to sit down and plunk away on the keys to mimic what I heard. I discovered that I loved these old songs and hymns—still now they are my comfort spot for worship and praise.
My mom has the best way of just harmonizing and jumping in no matter the song, and no matter how she feels. She always has that song bubbling up in her spirit.
As I was the one usually playing the melody on the piano growing up I naturally found it easier to also sing the tune so my mom would always join in with the harmony. I absolutely loved every minute of it.
She had a song in her spirit for everything, which ended up spilling over onto me. She made it totally normal to burst out in song while in conversation, if those key trigger words were heard.
I think all of us girls (my sisters and me) now have that trait.
Creativity Without Bounds
I also think much of my creativity came from my momma; I just carried it to the next level.
As a little girl, I would stand in awe of what she was able to make look pretty. It didn’t matter if it was the presentation of the food going on the table, or sewing an extra addition onto something that needed some extra glam.
I loved thrift shopping as a kid, because everything was limited edition, one of a kind, that no one else had. Each piece had a story and a history of where it had been. I watched my mom pick out items and miraculously give it a beautiful new purpose. I began to search out things in the same way, which started my passion for fashion at a young age.
One of my favourite gifts from my parents was a project my mother masterminded for my sister and me. Behind closed doors and while we were sleeping, my mom constructed the most fantabulous Barbie doll mansion for us.
That Christmas morning was one to remember as mom presented us with our Barbie doll dream house she had made from scratch. She’d used every kind of imaginable scrap she could get her hands on. We were so gobsmacked by this super duper mansion for our Barbie extravaganza; we played every Sunday afternoon, turning that time into every girl’s dream.
I look back now, so amazed at my mom’s natural talent. She basically built it out of nothing, into something that was better than anything we could have picked from the Sears catalogue. She started with just two cardboard boxes and let her imagination work from there, creating something limited edition.
I still remember the details, all these years later. It was carpeted, had pictures on the wall, and every accessory imaginable to make it our very own Barbie palace.
A Servant’s Loving Heart
Through the years, I even had the joy to work with my mom at Lambton Meadowview Villa, a long-term care living facility. She was one of the charge nurses there, and also my supervisor.
She was one of a kind—everyone there loved her and called her “momma Ellen”. She very naturally did all the extra things that you would expect from your mom, because so many people just didn’t have their mom there.
Precious moments we had standing beside a bedside together of someone in their last hours of life, singing away together. Mom would be smiling and harmonizing with me, loving every minute of it, the blessing we could be together❤️🙏❤️.
My mom is limited edition, and I celebrate her today and every day for being the most amazing human being.
I love you “momma Ellen! Happy Mother’s Day.