Wednesday, May 9, 2012

THE MEANING OF A MOTHER





We are a change of places---A daughter, now a mother; A mother, now a grandmother---And so the dance of life....
        Doris Bayden Randall




My maternal grandmother - Carrie
Mother of 5




My paternal grandmother - Mabel
Mother of 2




The Captain's maternal grandmother - Agnes
Mother of 4







My mother - Viola
Mother of 3




The Captain's mother - Grace
Mother of 5









Tami's mother - Judy
Mother of 2




Jacob's mother - Tami
Mother of 1




All strong, proud, beautiful women who have lived, or are living, a life of their choosing...


It isn't always easy.  In fact, at times, it might seem that you have failed miserably, but never lose sight of the fact that, being a mother, is the most rewarding and fulfilling job you will ever do.




Who ran to help me when I fell?
And who would some pretty story tell,
Or kiss the place to make it well?
My Mother




So, here's to all mothers and mothers of mothers....

May you all have the happiest of
Mother's Days....

Judy




My heartfelt thanks to my mom who was a loving, kind and gentle influence in my life and to Victoria magazine for the inspiration for my photographs.

I am sharing this week with:



















































53 comments:

  1. Oh Judy! How beautiful, thankyou for sharing that. What a good idea. I see we have some of the same names in our families. My husband's mother was a Grace and my paternal great great grandmother was a Viola! Can you believe that? How neat! Have a great week!

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  2. Hello Judy
    What a beautiful post, As I was adopted as a baby, I have found the role of a mother strange, until I had my own children and then I knew what It meant, I love them all (3) so very much! Thea x

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    1. Hi Thea: Thank you so much for your sweet comments. Sometimes you need the hard times to make it all work..Your children have a very lovely Mother..Happy Mother's Day..Judy

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  3. Judy,
    What a beautiful and thoughtful post! All the women in your family are just lovely!
    Happy mothers day!
    dee dee

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  4. This is my kind of post. Old photos and lots of nostalgia! Have a very Happy Mother's Day Judy!

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  5. What a beautiful post!!!

    Blessings,

    Kim

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  6. such a beautiful post, judy:) happy mom's day!

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  7. What a wonderful post, Judy! I love that you traced your lineage down through the years. Happy Mother's Day- Blessings- xo Diana

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  8. Hi Judy, Great post and wonderful photos. Happy Mother's Day.

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  9. I just got through sending you an e-mail and thought I'd check your site before signing off........


    BEAUTIFUL

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  10. A lovely tribute to the mothers of your family Judy..
    Mothers day in portugal was last sunday.
    such memories.
    best wishes to you Judy.
    val xx x x

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  11. That was a sweet post. So many lovely ladies in your family. Hope your Mother's Day is special.
    Thanks for stopping by my blog.
    Hugs
    Becky

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  12. I love reading the older names given back in those days. Mabel, Grace, Viola etc. They mark the time of their era, don't they? I always find names interesting. Hard to believe that Mother's Day is almost here too. This year is going by too fast!

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  13. Judy,
    What a lovely post.
    I really enjoyed reading about your ancestors, and seeing those pictures..priceless.

    Hope you have a wonderful Mother's Day!

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  14. Judy,

    What a beautiful post! I loved the pics of your mothers...

    Happy Mothers Day!
    Amy Jo

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    1. Thank you, Amy Jo. The quality of the pictures wasn't the greatest but they are from a long time ago..Hope you have a wonderful Mother's Day..Judy

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  15. Beautifully said, Judy. Just beautiful...♥ Wishing you a blessed Mother's Day. :)

    xoxo laurie

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  16. Great post. And might I also add that being a mother is not only the most rewarding job but also the most important job of raising the next generation. I'm a new follower and hope you'll stop by, Mary Alice

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    1. Thank you Mary Alice. I'm so pleased to have you following me. I'm going over to your blog right away and you are right about raising a new generation..Happy Mother's Day..Judy

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  17. Hey Judy - I love the pictures - beautifully put words - marvelous post and tribute to these special women! I do appreciate you sharing with Home and Garden Thursday,
    Kathy

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  18. MOM, THANK YOU FOR HELPING ME BECOME THE STRONG,PROUD,HAPPY,(and yes,stuborn)WOMAN THAT I AM!! THANK YOU FOR ALWAYS BEING THERE FOR ME,IN GOOD TIMES AND NOT SO GOOD TIMES.I LOVE YOU TO THE MOON!!!AND BACK AGAIN!!! TAMI:)

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  19. Aren't family photos the absolute best; they give us a glimpse into the past that we would have not otherwise been privilege to. Our daughter was married last Saturday and for the reception she put together a "Legacy of Love" display of photos of numerous generations of both families. One photo is my maternal grandparents formal wedding portrait from 1917. I wore to Cynthia's wedding the cameo stick pin my grandfather is wearing in that photo.

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  20. Hi Lorrie: Thank you so much for your kind comments. It certainly is a privilege to have the photos and the stories. I love your story about your daughter's wedding and the display she made. What a great idea. I also have my grandmother and grandfather's wedding picture from 1910 which I thought I would post about sometime in June in honor of the month for weddings. Be on the look out..Happy Mother's Day..Judy

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  21. Judy, this post was so sweet. I love all the old fashioned names! Hope your mother's day is wonderful, xoxo Jean

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    1. Thank you Jean. You can almost certainly tell the era by the names. I hope your Mother's Day is as well..Judy

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  22. Hi Judy,
    What a beautiful Mothers Day Post! It is a wonderful day to celebrate all Mothers and not being a mom myself I celebrate being a Godmother and a Aunt who is almost like a mother :)
    Wishing you the most wonderful day to spend with your loving family!
    ~Shirley

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  23. Judy...

    Wonderful post! Thank you so much for being one of my most dear sweet and dedicated bloggy friends. You always put such a smile on my face whenever I see you have been by for a visit.

    Wishing you a most blessed and beautiful Mother's Day.
    Enjoy your special day...you so deserve it!

    Barbara

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  24. Beautifully written, what a lovely way to honor the Mothers in you life.

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  25. Hello Judy! What a BEAUTIFUL post ...it brought tears to my eyes. My Mom has been gone now 29 years. Where has the time gone? BEAUTIFUL photo's and words. Happy Mothers Day to you! Have a wonderful weekend.
    Maura :)

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  26. A beautiful post! Thanks for sharing. I adore the lovely saying at the begining. wishing you an amazing Mothers Day. Cheers SpecialK XoXo

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  27. Judy, this was a beautiful tribute to Mother's everywhere. Well done!

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  28. What a beautiful post! Very touching. I am your newest follower.

    Hugs,
    Susan and Bentley

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  29. Judy, This is such a beautiful post! Thanks for sharing and Happy Mother's Day, Tammy

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    1. Hi Tammy: Thank you so much for your sweet comments and I'm hoping you are having a wonderful Mother's Day..Judy

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  30. What a lovely tribute in words and pictures. Thanks for sharing your strong women with us.
    Happy Mother's Day to you, too.
    Hugs,
    Patti

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  31. Beautiful done your tribute of mum's in your family They would be so proud of you you honor them on Mother's Day on your blog ! Enjoy your Mother's Day Judy ;)

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  32. Beautiful post today, love the images and tribute.

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    1. Thank you, Judy. I'm always happy to hear new and sweet comments. Come visit the Cottage anytime..Happy Mother's Day..Judy

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  33. What a beautiful post. I loved seeing the women in your family...all so very beautiful. I am happily your newest follower. Happy Mother's Day to you and I hope you are having a lovely weekend.
    PS. Here in southern California I plant sweet peas in mid Oct. so they can take "hold" before the heavy rains come.

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    1. Hi Susan: Thank you for your kind words and I'm so glad to welcome you to the Cottage. I had a great weekend, and I hope you had the same. I'll have to check out the packs of sweet peas and see what they say. I would think all California would be the same..Happy Tuesday..Judy

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  34. I hope you had a wonderful Mother's Day Judy! Your post is beautiful!

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    1. Thank you so much Wanda. Hope your's was wonderful as well..Happy Tuesday..Judy

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  35. Oh Judy that really is a beautifully written post. I'm very touched reading it. I really like the old photographs you have there of the Women of the family who all have such pretty names.
    Paul

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    1. Thank you, Andrea. I appreciate your kind comments..Happy Tuesday..Judy

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  37. Good morning Judy,
    What a wonderfully written post! You are welcome to link this up for Tea Time if you like. You do have tea things in your post and I think it would be a blessing to many of my ladies.
    I enjoyed so much looking at all the photographs and your words of praise for the ladies. I love that first hat! I have worn many hats myself but being a mother is the most rewarding and fulfilling job I have ever had! And I would love to do it all over again! Have a lovely day.

    Blessings,
    Sandi

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  38. What a sweet sweet post Judy! I love your photos!~

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  39. What a magnificent post. Thanks so much for being a part of my 100th Seasonal Sundays.

    - The Tablescaper

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  40. Beautiful post Judy! Thanks for linking up at Feathered Nest Friday!

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  41. Very beautiful table setting with black tray, the white embroidered napkin and the black and white patterned plate with matching black and white egg cup. It provides a graphical touch. Five children and not all the facilities we have in the house today. To wash all baby clothes at that time! I feel faint just thinking. In Sweden it is Mother's Day 27/5. I wish you a very nice week! Zinnia

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    1. Thank you Zinnia: I appreciate so much your kind words. I didn't write about my grandmother's mother who had 12 children! No, I can't imagine how that would work. Hope you have a wonderful week ahead..Judy

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Your comments are so special to me...Judy