Gulf Coast Family

by Joy and Jerry Lancaster

Mother’s Day is a time of mixed emotions for me. I have some wonderful memories of my own mother, and I have LOVED being a mom to our own 3 girls (and their husbands), and now a Grammy to my 6 wonderful grandchildren. At the same time, I wish we could ALL be together on such a special occasion, but a phone call, or handmade card from a little one must fill the void instead.

My own mother has always been by hero. She had 5 children, the youngest being born when she was 43 years old. I don’t know that she ever attended a parenting seminar or even read a book on parenting, but she certainly knew how to capture the hearts of her children. She awakened a love of learning in all of us by reading many of the “classics” to us. Some that I remember are Robinson Crusoe, Born Free, and Treasure Island. I have nothing but happy memories of my childhood because I had 2 parents who loved me unconditionally. When I became an adult, I finally realized what a treasure that is. “Mama” was a true southern lady, with a very gentle demeanor, yet a strength that could never be denied. She was also a firm believer that “a little more buttah” was all that any recipe needed to make it just right. NO ONE has ever matched her southern fried chicken in my book!

I became a mother for the first time on July 30, 1976, through the wonderful gift of adoption. On that day, precious little Keri Anne was placed in my arms, although I couldn’t really see her through my tears! I am so thankful that she had a birth mom who loved her enough to allow her to be a part of our family. She has blessed our lives in so many ways—most recently by making us grandparents to our first 4 grandchildren! In 1978 Kristen Joy joined our family, and in 1982, a new little sister, Erika Kathleen. I could write another 20 pages on how “my girls” have brought so much joy into my life—but suffice it to say, “my cup runneth over!”

And now . . . being a GRANDmother is TRULY grand! Seeing my own daughters as they “mother” their children brings a new JOY into my life that I never could have imagined. Thank you, Keri, Kristen, and Erika for making this Mother’s Day a day of so many blessings and happy memories! I love you!