LOOK MOM!

By Tammy Hopson

Mitchell County

The aquarium was full of people that day as my daughters and I walked through admiring the magnificent creatures on display there. “Look Mom!”, I heard Leah say excitedly as she pointed to the large glass tanks.  It was a special day for us.  My daughters had grown into young women and were no longer little girls in pigtails and dresses. They had grown up and their lives were calling them away more and more.  I longed to spend time with them, talking, sharing, and laughing so I convinced them to go away with me to the beach for some mother-daughter time. We desperately needed these moments together.

The three of them gazed through the glass watching the colorful saltwater fish swim in and out of the coral.  I followed closely behind them watching their faces, smiling to myself, and cherishing every minute we had together.  They coaxed me along waving me forward as we moved from tank to tank.  “Look Mom!” Stephanie said as she showed me a sea turtle hiding in the sand.  We continued on each of them pointing to something beautiful and breathtaking and saying “Look Mom!” along the way.  I was overjoyed to hear those words again. In my mind’s eye, I recalled their younger years. I saw them in pigtails and dresses again and as little girls anxious and joyful to share with me all that they delight in.  I could see them running to me after school with their newly painted artwork, their soft soprano voices filled with excitement as they shouted out, Look Mom!…Look what I made! I could see them playing and dancing, twirling around in circles as their joyful hearts sang out  “Look Mom!.…look at me!”

Then suddenly a sadness gripped me.  My heart sank with the realization that my adult daughters may not ever call out to me this way again. Someday, I may never again hear them exclaim with enthusiasm “Look Mom!”  Tears welled in my eyes and for a minute I was heartbroken. Then I got a glimpse of my oldest daughter’s reflection as she passed in front of a huge glass tank. I looked down at her swollen belly and once again saw the beautiful evidence of a new life growing inside her.  We already knew a baby girl was on her way. Happiness overwhelmed me as in my mind someone new twirled and danced in my future.  I could already see her in pigtails running to me, anxious to share with me something her heart delighted in. I could hear her soft soprano voice calling out to me in joy the same way my daughters did. Only now the words are different. Hers are not the same but touch my heart just as deeply. Happy tears welled in my eyes as I imagined a little girl shouting ”Look Grandma!”

Not long after our aquarium visit, I got the call that told me it was time to meet this new little girl.  It was another very special day for us. I stood behind my daughter and coached her as she groaned in labor and fought hard to bring this little girl into the world.  After many hours of hard work, Sarah gave the final push, and a brand new life was born. They laid baby Katlyn on her mother’s chest and we cried and rejoiced in her arrival. Standing there behind Sarah during the first few minutes of my granddaughter’s life was a moment I will never forget and one I will forever cherish. My heart overflowed with thankfulness as my daughter looked up at me and said “Look Mom!…. I have a daughter!”

Twenty years have now passed and I have never been without a little girl in my life or a little boy. As of today, God has blessed me with 8 granddaughters and 6 grandsons and I am overwhelmingly grateful. This month in honor of Mother’s Day I wanted to share this story and testify of the goodness of God. His Word states that children are the heritage of the LORD: and the fruit of the womb is his reward. He has filled my life with children and happiness and just as His Word says “Happy is the man (or woman) whose quiver is full.”

Happy Mother’s Day to all the Mom’s and Grandmothers! We are truly blessed.

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Tammy Hopson has been a Mitchell County resident since 1992 and lives in Red Hill with her family. She is a mother of six children and grandmother of 14. She has been a member of Hoyle Memorial Christian Fellowship in Lawndale, NC since 1992 and helps lead The HMCF Youth Group.

Read more content for today’s Christian and Christian news here.

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