As Mother’s Day is again upon us, causing us to reflect on and celebrate how very special our mothers are to us, I am reminded of just how blessed I truly am not only as a woman but as a mother too!!

To my Mommy – Barbara Jean Wilson (deceased when I was but 2 years old), although our time together was extremely short, I KNOW that so much of who I am, and the gifts that reside within me, were birthed and nurtured first by you.  I also know that the deep well of love inside of me is as a direct result of the love that both you and my father, Frank Wilson, had for me — as well as your love for one another.

Mommy, I often wonder what it would have been like to have known and grown up with you in my life, but God saw fit to choose another path for us.  Nevertheless, I love you for giving me life, and although I didn’t get the opportunity to know you in this life, I look forward to long mother-daughter chats with you in heaven.

To Mother, (Samantha Gibbs-Wilson).  What can be said about the love of a grandmother?  In many ways for me, it was no different than if you were my parent.  You took me in as a toddler at a time in your life that I’m sure was rather inconvenient.  All of your own children were grown, and doing their own things.  But you took me in, I’m sure, without any hesitation.  ‘Cause that’s just how we Gibbs-Wilson’s are!!

Growing up with you Mother, established the foundation for the woman of God I am today.  Sometimes I think we spent more time in church than we did at home…but at the end of the day,  the Word truly works! Mother, I thank you for your love, your strength, and even your correction.  I learned a lifetime’s worth of life lessons at your knee for which I am truly grateful.  Many folks ask me now how I am so strong, and next to God Almighty, I am positive that the nexus of that strength began with YOU.  Mother, I love you eternally, and I thank you.  See you soon.

To my aunt Barbara Jean Wilson-Hightower – the Gibbs-Wilson matriarch who remains.  AND quiet as it’s kept, everybody’s favorite auntie, even those not actually in our family!!  This speaks to your warm, loving and inviting spirit.   Auntie Barbara Jean, you have always treated me like one of your own.  I remember those days I hung out at your house (outside, of course, lol!) with Melody, Maurice & Kim.  Sometimes I think I spent more time with you all than I did at home.  I also remember the days when I would miss school and go to work with you at Dow Chemical.  I have such fond childhood memories growing up in Houston, TX  and that in large part was because of you!  And even now that I am older, our relationship has remained extremely tight despite the distance, and for this, I am so grateful.  We have shared many joys as well as some sorrows together, but in all things, my auntie Barbara Jean is always there.  I am truly blessed beyond measure having you in my life.  I LOVE YOU more than words could ever express.  THANK YOU Melody, Maurice & Kim for sharing your mom with me!

And finally to my Mom (P. Bunny Wilson).  Although we had a rocky start early on during my teenage years, thanks be unto God, it’s not about how you start a thing that truly matters most, but rather, it’s more about how you finish!  And I must say that our relationship over the years has truly evolved into a remarkable illustration of the exceptional degree to which God loved both of us; how He strategically orchestrated our blended family unit to ultimately benefit the whole.  And how he taught each of us how to love unconditionally, forgiving freely and completely.

Mom, your support and encouragement during my high school years to pursue my dreams has been a true blessing upon my life.  It gave me the freedom to pursue unconventional life paths, many of which have been extremely rewarding.  Like when I thought I wanted to be a dancer/choreographer, it was you who suggested and then sent me to New York to spend time with my Godmother Sharon Wood-Dunn and to visit with uncle Ben Vereen on Broadway, just to see if that was what I really wanted to do.  Also, your advice to develop a marketable skill was simply a mother’s wisdom that has continued to pay dividends over the years for me, with the honing in on my gift of administration, being something that was first modeled by you with perfection.

And now Mom, as I walk this new path of being a Pastor’s wife, I am grateful having you as a confidant and friend to help me traverse this new place for me that you have truly mastered.

Mom, I love you and thank you for who you are now in my life, as well as who you have been.  Because I do know that it took every aspect of our journey together to create the beautiful relationship we have today — not only for us but also for my sisters who followed — Launi, Fawn, Christy & Gabri too!

It is often said that it takes a village to raise a child, and in my case, I’d definitely say that phrase is true.  And as I sit here reflecting on the contributions that each of these four powerful, yet humble women have made in my life, I marvel at how each contribution to the whole of me is unique in and of itself.  ONLY GOD could have designed a truly ‘wonderful life’ like that!  Because yes, even though He saw fit to take my mother away from me in the earliest stage of my life, it is truly undeniable that He filled that void with so much more!!

So on this Mother’s Day I salute you, Barbara Jean Wilson, Samantha Gibbs Wilson, Barbara Jean Hightower & P. Bunny Wilson, and I wish you all a very HAPPY MOTHER’S DAY!

And to those who are ordinarily filled with sorrow and despair on days like Mother’s Day — due to a loss of your Mother or other losses in your life.  Try not focusing so much on the loss, but rather, take a moment to reflect on the myriad of ways in which God has graciously filled that void for you with more.

Remember that oftentimes we focus so much on what we don’t have, we fail to see the blessings that God has placed right before us.  His plans are always perfect, although not always understood.  But just know that He does all things well, including His plan for you!

Blessings,

Tracey.