My Momma probably read the title of this and got a little nervous. It’s that one time of year that I can write about her, and she can’t say anything about it. She doesn’t like to be in the spotlight. But when you have a momma as wonderful as I do and have thirty-eight years of memories and love from her, on Mother’s Day week, you share!
My Momma is Susie Metzger, and if someone asked me to explain my mother to them, I would say, she is as tough as they come and has so much strength. My Momma has been through so much. Most people would have just given up on the trials she has endured. But she chose to give it all to the Lord, who gave her incredible strength to get through some trying battles over the years. Laughter and her wittiness have also helped her through it all. My Momma is hilarious. Some of the things she says, I can only just laugh, shake my head and say, “That’s my momma!” Why go through life being boring when you can be wild and crazy? That’s something she says, and it’s so true.
The past two years have been so rough for her, and she will probably want to strangle me for sharing, but it just shows what kind of woman my mom is. Health issues caused her so much pain that most days last year, she couldn’t even sit comfortably, let alone getting up and moving around. You could just see it sucking the life from her. It honestly really scared my brother and me.
She would pray every day to God, “OK, Lord, I can’t move today. But with your help in lifting me up, I’ll be able to do it.” She made it out of bed each day and attempted small tasks some days. She said only by the grace of God did she make it through those horrible times.
My Momma is a godly woman. She faithfully took my brother and me to church every single Sunday since we were babies. I never questioned her faith. Without God in her life, I can’t imagine where we all would be right now. Growing up in a Christian family gave us all hope for the present and future and surely got us through trying times over the years.
She has always been a wonderful mother. She took us to church, taught us to trust in the Lord, and gave us a wonderful, loving home in which to grow up. We always had clean clothes, a cozy home to come home to, and delicious food on the table. Every holiday was special, and she made a big deal on every birthday. I’m thirty-eight and still get very special birthday dinners.
She would pack our lunches with little love notes and would often have warm cookies for a snack. She loves to cook and bake for others. In fact, when she wasn’t feeling the greatest, we knew she wasn’t well because she just quit being in the kitchen altogether. Momma always had something baked each week. After multiple surgeries, she started cooking and baking again. We knew Momma was back!
All she cared about was her getting better for my surgery so that she could take care of me.
She spoiled us with meals, offered to take me to follow-up doctor appointments, and called me every single day to check on me. She still wasn’t feeling one hundred percent, but she was still there for me when I needed her because that’s the kind of mother she is. I don’t care what age you are; you always need your Momma.
The nurse in her always made her very nurturing. Boo-boos got taken care of, and when you were sick, she was right there.
Now, as for having patience mehhhhhhh, that wasn’t her strongest forte, and she would be the first to admit it. Homework could get pretty challenging, but that could partially be because my brother and I could possibly, maybe, have been a pain in the rear getting us to do it.
Her patience ran short, though, dealing with parents at her job who didn’t care about their kids. It was so sad. I won’t say what she did and the things she dealt with, but it’s no wonder she had no patience when she got home from work. It made me appreciate the mother I had at a very young age.
If you have a wonderful momma who has just loved you unconditionally and only wanted what was best for you your whole life, tell her. Even if you don’t see eye to eye with her all the time, there are some people out there who would kill for a loving and caring mother. Don’t take her for granted.
Momma,
The biggest thing I need to say to you is that I admire you. I marvel at the way you care for your family. You raised some wonderful, strong, compassionate people. I am in awe of the way you handle the bad days with grace and your ability to embrace the imperfections of raising us. You made a beautiful home for your family that was always full of love. We knew we could set our mind to anything we wanted to do in life. You are a mother who will always be involved with your kids’ lives and your four amazing grandkids! I look to you as a role model for being the best mother and wife I can be and thank you for all you have taught me and given me. You are the strongest person I know; it’s incredible. You are loved by so many because of how you treat others. I am so thankful to call you Momma. I love you. Happy Mother’s Day!
Cinnamon Streusel French Toast Casserole
Ingredients:
• 1 loaf of French Bread
• 9 eggs
• 2 1/2 cups of milk
• 3/4 cup sugar
• 1 Tbsp vanilla
Topping:
• 1/2 cup flour
• 1/2 cup brown sugar
• 1 tsp. cinnamon
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1/2 cup cold butter, cold cut into pieces
Directions:
Cut loaf into cubes and place evenly in a greased 9×13 pan.
In a bowl, mix together eggs, milk, sugar and vanilla. Pour evenly over bread.
Mix together flour, brown sugar, cinnamon, and salt in a medium bowl. Cut in butter with this mixture until crumbly.
Sprinkle crumbly mixture evenly over the bread.
Bake at 350 for 45 minutes to 1 hour depending on how soft you like it.