ELLEN BRYAN
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The Most True Example of a Mother's Love

5/13/2018

4 Comments

 
​My mom has always been one of my heroes. But the older I get, the more I realize just what an incredible role model and friend she is in my life.
 
I feel extremely grateful for how much one-on-one time I got with my mom growing up. Being the youngest, I was the last one at home when Andrea and Christina started school.
 
Mom and I had our own routine those days: watching The Today Show while she French braided my hair; eating grilled PB&J for lunch; playing a game of Mastermind; running errands in the minivan; listening to Andrew Lloyd Webber’s greatest hits…
As I grew older, our special things became our love of dogs, watching Gilmore Girls, and endless shopping trips.
 
My mom is always there to listen and I’ve always tried to live a life that would make her proud.
Picture
Mom and Me
​But what I admire most about my mom (and my dad too) is how she reacted when life didn’t go as she hoped or planned. I’m talking about when my oldest sister Christina was struck by lightning when she was 17-years-old - sustaining injuries that would need full-time caregiving for the rest of her life.
 
For nearly 20 years now, my parents have taken care of my sister without complaint or anger about what happened. As my dad said once, "You just do it and you would too if this happened to your own daughter."
Picture
Mom and Christina
​While that might be true, that people rise to the situation life puts them in, I believe no one handles it better than my parents do. The older I get, I now realize just how much work it is to be a caregiver. Yet, they never leave my sister behind – she comes on every vacation, reunion, dinner, etc. She is so loved.
 
Just after Christina was struck, I was feeling bad for our family. My mom noticed and stopped those feelings in that moment. She said we wouldn’t be throwing ourselves any pity parties. She told me we would only look forward, not back. And that’s exactly what she’s done.
​My mom is the most pure, true example of a mother’s love. Her life is a testament to that every single day.
 
Happy Mother’s Day to the best there is… Love you, Mom. 
Picture
All of Mom's Daughters and Granddaughter
4 Comments
Linda Haines
5/13/2018 08:54:03 am

Beautiful and so true! Your Mom is one of s kind!

Reply
Aunt Kay
5/13/2018 09:51:34 am

What a great write up Ellen and oh so true! Rose and John Cron had a big hand in that. (The power of positive thinking) I always say, Ginny may be my little sister but I always look up to her. 💕

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Rosann Rable
5/13/2018 10:14:51 am

I remember the day when Christina got struck by lightening. I've seen your parents in church and out and about with Christina and they always have been kind and loving with her. When you have a child that's disabled it doesn't matter what others think... You love them and you do whatever it takes to make the best life for them. Your mom and dad are excellent examples of this. I love that you promoted Christinas accident and used it as your platform to educate others about the dangers of lightning. Truly you are following in your mom's footsteps to be your sisters advocate and it shows how much you care for her.

Reply
Lisa Vondrell
5/14/2018 11:33:06 am

She is the best, a beautiful and loving soul.

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