05/10/2026
Sunday on the porch 🪻
Mama used to say to me, “I wish I were half as talented as you.”
No matter how hard I tried, I could never convince her just how talented she truly was.
My mama was the epitome of a stay-at-home mom. She was June Cleaver… just without the heels. (Does anybody even remember that show anymore? 🤣)
One of my earliest memories is being just 3 or 4 years old, learning to make Valentine cookies with her. She lovingly made the dough from scratch and even colored it pink.
Later, around 6 years old, she taught me how to sew. I still remember the little sewing machine she bought me that was designed especially for kids. It had all the safety features to keep children from getting hurt, but it also came with real patterns to make little pillows and other small projects. She would sit at one end of the dining room table with her sewing machine, while I proudly sat at the other end with mine. She actually made all of our Halloween costumes when we were growing up and later for her grandchildren until she couldn’t any more. About that same age, she also taught me how to help with her latch-hook rugs.
When I was around 8 years old, she gave me a needlepoint craft with yarn. I remember it was a rainbow stitched onto hard plastic canvas that snapped into a bright blue frame when it was finished. I made plenty of mistakes, but she was always patient with me and spoke encouraging words that made me want to keep trying.
By the time I was 10, she taught me counted cross stitch — something I’ve continued doing now for nearly 40 years.
We always had home-cooked meals, fresh baked goodies after school, and a home filled with love. She loved entertaining during the holidays, served as a Girl Scout leader and “cookie mom,” and somehow managed to keep us busy all summer long.
She was an amazing mother.
We lost her a little over two years ago, and not a day goes by that I don’t miss her.
This Sunday morning, I find myself sitting here reflecting on all those little moments that never really felt little at the time. The truth is… I still wish I were half as incredible as she was.
From my porch to yours… Happy Mother’s Day to all the mamas out there. 🪻
*I love how this keychain request turned out. It’s sure to be treasured for years to come…
