Day 119 - I Have 2 Mommys

I've had the pleasure in my 26 years of calling many women "mom."  There were ladies at church, ladies at college when I was away from home, ladies where I worked, etc., and I appreciate every one of them.  Seeing that today is Mother's Day, I'd like to take to highlight 2 of the most influential moms in my life - my birth mother and my mentor/mom, both of whom are ironically named Deborah (because God has a sense of humor) - Deborah Hawkins and Deborah Martin.

Deborah Hawkins - this lady has known me all my life.  :)  She's a great lady who loves God and has ridiculous amounts of strength that I can't even begin to fathom.  She's seen me through 3 heart surgeries,  "terrible 2s" (though she says I wasn't that bad) and teen years, undergrad and grad school, and the general ups and downs of life.  I think I get my compassion, my kindness, and my stubbornness from her (great combination, I know).  She has always worked hard to provide for my brother and I, and despite what we had or didn't have growing up, despite the issues that we faced as a family, despite anything that may have seemed like a negative, Mom was always there and always praying.  Church wasn't an optional activity for much of my young life, but I do appreciate the foundation now that I'm older.  Even when we've bumped heads (which 2 stubborn people do a lot) and disagreed, I've always known that if I needed something that I could call on her.  And that's why "I'll always love my mama."

Deborah Martin - my other mother has been in my life since my time at STVU.  When I first became her work-study student, I thought it was interesting that she shared the same name (and spelling) as my mother.  Since I don't believe in coincidences, I figured this was significant, and I found that to be the case.  Not only did we work together, but we talked and shared our lives and calls and processes.  When she was out on maternity leave, I had to essentially hold down the Admissions office, so I was super glad when she came back.  I learned much about ministry as we traveled together and she preached.  But not only did I learn more about preaching and church/minister etiquette, I learned about the preacher as a person and a woman.  I learned about how to be yourself and walk in authenticity when the church, the world, and those closest to you disagree or hand you a lap scarf.  It was her strong example that has helped push me to come out of my own shell.  And she has wisdom and strength that I can't help but admire and draw upon as I continue to find myself and my way.  And even though I no longer work with her, she is still one of my closest friends and part of my Heartbeat.  And that's why "I'll always love my mama."