Exceptional A reflection on a Mother's Day, long since past. Broken, With Love by Janilou Happy Mother's Day, Dan. Thank you for being my son.

Category:  Spiritual Non-Fiction   Posted:  May 8, 2007      Views: 655

ABOUT JANILOU  Janilou is a woman who loves God. Much of her work reflects her faith. Christian music often inspires her work. She is honored to have been named FanStory's Short Works Author Of The Year, in 2007 and 2008, and thanks all of her wonderful fans for the ranking. Their comments and support are her inspiration! She writes whenever her dairy goats allow her to escape the milking barn. If she's not on FanStory, you might find her on Facebook, using her real name, Jan Anderegg. Quote Of The Day: "Shall we make a new rule of life from tonight: Always try to be a little kinder than is necessary." Sir James M Barrie She has won several contests. The contest submission Death By Taxes was the first place winner in the contest . Boys Will Be Boys was the first place winner in the contest . Twas The Night Before - Say What? was the first place winner in the contest . She is a top ranked author and is currently holding the #41 position. The Seal of Quality committee has rewarded her with 2 seals. Portfolio | Become A Fan Eyes shining, my towheaded, four-year-old son, Dan, ran across the living room, holding a small package wrapped in newspaper. "Happy Mother's Day, Mama! I made you a special present today at school!" Before I could respond, he tripped and fell. The package flew from his hands and smashed to the floor. The beaming smile he'd worn just seconds before, faded like the sun being taken hostage by storm clouds. He reached for his precious gift, now in pieces. Tears rolling down rounded cheeks, he looked at me and gasped, "Oh,no! It's broken." Bowing his head, he began to sob. I hurried over, and knelt beside him. Picking up the remnants of the pottery dish he'd made with his own hands, I felt as though my own heart would break to see his pain. "It's ruined," he said, blue eyes filled with tears as he met my gaze. A thought came to me. Placing my arm around him, I gave him a hug and said, "Do you know what this is now? It's a puzzle. Can you imagine what fun we can have putting it back together? I think I even like it better like this." He wiped his eyes and looked up. "You do?" "Yes, I do," I replied. I spoke the truth. I loved his gift, for it came from his heart. It mattered not to me if it was in one piece or three pieces. The love shining in my son's eyes meant everything to me. Seventeen years have passed since I received a "puzzle" for Mother's Day. My child wanted to bring me the perfect gift, but he stumbled on the way. He thought he ruined it, but instead he gave me an everlasting memory to cherish. I'm thankful to God for giving me the right words to say. This Mother's Day, I would give anything to be able to hug my son, Dan. My little boy is now a fine young man, a soldier. He is in Iraq, fighting for my freedom. I'm so proud of him. The memory of my little boy's special gift, so many years ago, brings to my mind the love God has for us. We come before God, our Father, bearing gifts of our works, our accomplishments, our lives. Often, we stumble and fall on the way, breaking our gifts and sometimes, our hearts. Our Father, God, kneels beside us, gives us a big hug, and says,"I love your broken gift. I love you, even more when you are broken." It is true. He, who was broken for us, loves us more than we can ever comprehend. It doesn't matter if our "gifts", or our lives aren't perfect. He loves us just as we are and He knows our hearts. As a mother, I am blessed to be able to understand a fraction of God's love through my own children. As His child, I am blessed to know He loves me, even when I'm broken. Recognized Share your own writing! - Information on our membership for writers. Author Notes I hope you enjoyed sharing this memory with me. He was four when this happened and in Pre-school. He is now twenty-one. Yes, that is Dan, in the photo - over in Iraq. He didn't forget me for Mother's Day, either. He sent me beautiful flowers and a wonderful message. I am very blessed. Jan Pays one point and 2 member cents.

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