The Beautiful Bond of Motherhood

At one point in my life, at the wise age of 21 (hah), I swore off marriage and family.  I was having so much fun, being in the Navy, traveling, writing, getting into broadcast journalism. I felt content.  This "wisdom" lasted until I was about 27 when I began to change my mind and started thinking about the next phase of my life.  Fortunately at the age of 29, I met Bill Pedene.  We were married and years later we were blessed with two children.

Paula and Steven at the Navy Lodge in San Diego

On April 30, 1995 our second son Steven Pedene was born. As a child his light blond hair shone bright like his personality, ambition, and smile.  He was gregarious from the get go. Today marks his 19th birthday so I sit here reflecting back on the life we've had together thus far.  There's been so much--first words, first steps, first hugs and kisses, first birthdays, first grade, field trips, plays, musicals, tournaments, and more.  All of these have made an impact on my life and the majority of them have been for the better.

So today I'm thankful that the "wisdom" of my youth was changed by someone far wiser than me (thank you Lord!) because this day my life is much fuller and better because I'm a mom.

Happy Birthday Steven, I wish you a year full of joy, happiness, faith filled inspiration and much success.  Love you!  Mom. 

A Birthday Blessing

Today is my birthday, and although I know there is all things fun happening on Facebook, there's joyful wishes on LinkedIn, and I have a beautiful Google birthday doodle on my Google page, the thing that's already made my day, in just the first hour, is a telephone call from my sister Denise.

Those of you who are not baby boomers may wonder why a phone call could be so special. Well, because of all the things that happen today, that one thing, brings everything home to me.  You see our mother used to call each of her six children early in the morning on our birthdays. She'd be the first voice we'd hear.  She'd be the first person to listen to what was happening, our hopes, our dreams our challenges.

So hearing a voice, and receiving a call, early in the morning on my birthday is still special to me.  I grew up when phones hung on the wall, when you had a rotary dial, when the operators would be the primary source or assistance and when our voices--the spoken word--were phenomenal ways of keeping in touch.

It's been 23 years since my mom has moved on to be with the Lord.  I am grateful to her and my father for so many things, her special phone calls, their guidance, their love, their support, but primarily for my faith.  For I know that Denise's call this morning, was a gift from our Heavenly Father, who knew that was what I needed today.

May God watch over you and keep you in His care.