Sometimes we think that our greatest influence on others will come in the way we live our lives. But for me, the greatest influence I have ever had on my life was in the way that someone died. That someone was my mom.
In August of this past year, my mom was diagnosed with Stage IV gastric cancer. It was the most difficult situation I had ever faced in my life. I wanted to be angry with God. How could He do this to my mom and my family?
Mom told me that she didn’t understand why God was allowing this cancer into her life, but she trusted Him. She said that despite our circumstances, we needed to be looking for the blessings God had in store for us.
So that’s what we did. For the seven short weeks that Mom lived after her diagnosis, we counted our blessings every day.
I remember a time when Mom was lying in her bed. Her legs were swollen 3 times their normal size. She was unable to sit up or stand on her own. She had lost over 20 pounds and could barely eat. The cancer was winning the battle. She looked at me and said, “I feel so blessed.” I said, “Mom, you are lying there with cancer throughout your whole body, how can you say that?” Her response? “Well, I could be writhing in pain, and I’m not. Some people with cancer are in a lot more pain. So I am thankful that I’m not.”
I couldn’t believe my ears. Mom continually found blessings through the most difficult days of her life.
Mom’s example in dying changed my life.
Now I try to live each day to the fullest by counting the simple blessings that God has given me. When I am standing in a long line at the grocery store, I thank God for the legs on which I have to stand. When I am overwhelmed by loads of laundry, I thank God for a house full of loved ones who wear those clothes. When I am frustrated when I don’t get what I want, I thank God that I have all that I need. And when the overwhelming pain of missing my mother wells up inside of me, I thank God for the promise that I will see her again.
What a blessing!
Written by Traci from Beneath My Heart. Traci is the only girl in a house full of boys! She loves spending time with her husband of 12 years and their four amazing sons. She started her blog, Beneath My Heart, because her mom encouraged her to. It has become a huge blessing in her life! She shares about remodeling projects, furniture makeovers, crafty ideas, some adventures of being the mom of four boys, and the legacy her mother has left behind. You can contact her at beneathmyheart4 (at) gmail.com.
This post is part of Blissdom Conference ticket giveaway.
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Traci… your blog is such a fine tribute to your sweet Mom! I feel blessed to have you as my ‘Sissa’ and to have known her. I pray that I can be the kind of Wife and Mother, she was to you guys! More importantly, to live the daily example of Christ’s love, as she did. Love you so very much… more than you know:)
Traci, you are amazing and inspiring. Not because your my cousin, but because you show the love of Jesus! Thanks for your Wednesdays with Wanda, it helps so much when I get to missing my Aunt Wanda!
Wonderful post! Your mother was an awesome lady.
How amazing that God’s light continues to shine thru you . . . Just like your mom. She would be so proud of you and would say “This little light of mine” Love, Aunt Tassy
Traci, you are an inspiration. You must have “inherited” your positve attitude from your mom! I know God is using you in the lives you touch.
Traci,
I recently found your blog through Miss Mustard Seed and your post on transforming the original bed frame into a creative way to hang towels. I was initially excited about how descriptive you were and the reasons you transformed a piece of furniture, not just this one but many. What really touched my heart was the openness you shared about your relationship with your mom and her trust in God, and in turn your trust that God has a plan for all of us. I, like you have been blessed with a loving husband whose mother was “Mom” to me. She survived with Pancreatic Cancer for 9 months and left us to be with God and Jesus five years ago this month. I will always feel blessed that she gave birth to her only son so that I could share my life with him and our two daughters. But, most importantly that she raised a man whom believes in God and that he guides us in our faith. Blessings! I will pray that you have this wonderful opportunity!!
You are such a wonderful lady. I hope you win!! You deserve it!
Traci,
Thank you for encouraging and inspiring me in your love for God, your love your mother, and your amazing remodeling, crafting, and reupholstering skills :)
I really enjoyed reading this story about your Mom. As someone who has lost a parent to Cancer it is really uplifting to remember how many blessings God has given us through it all and that we will see them again someday! Thank you for sharing and good luck with your trip!
What a beautiful post.
Good luck!
Great Message! Thank you!
Traci,
Your story was very moving. I just lost my Mom and I know what you are feeling and what you are going through. She also went very fast and I have to count my blessings also, as I do have so many! Thanks for sharing your story!
Thank you for sharing your story about your mother. I forward your Wednesdays With Wanda posts to my three best friends (who are sisters) because they too lost their mother one year ago tomorrow. I feel it is a blessing to read about someone going through the same feelings that they are experiencing.
What a great post!
Amazing story! Thanks for sharing!
What an incredibly moving story of courage and love. Yep, I shed a tear. :)
Wow. I hope you are chosen not by how many votes one gets or how many follow someone has, but by what the message conveys. This one says ALOT.
Traci, I hope you get to go. I wish I could send you myself.
Donna
http://funkyjunkinteriors.blogspot.com/
Your mother was amazing and I can see how she lives on in you. And, through you she has touched all of us. Thank you for sharing your inspiring, life changing story.
Crossing my fingers for you gf!
hugs,
Tina
What a great testimony! Thank you so much for sharing it.
I feel exactly the same way as you … I am constantly thanking God for the promise of seeing my parents again.
What a beautiful testament to your sweet Mother’s faith! May God bless you and your beautiful family.