“It Just Takes Time, Honey: A Mother’s Love That Endures”

“It Just Takes Time, Honey: A Mother’s Love That Endures”

I remember the sound of her voice more than the details of what she wore. My mother didn’t speak much after her stroke—at just 36, a misdiagnosis left her partially paralyzed and struggling to string sentences together. But when she did speak, her words carried more weight than anyone else’s in the room. And there’s one phrase that has stayed with me all these years, echoing through my own moments of despair: “It just takes time, honey.”

My mother didn’t have a fair hand dealt to her. She made some poor choices along the way—who among us hasn’t?—but when life tried to silence her, she chose instead to speak through grace, resilience, and a quiet faith that radiated strength. Even as she depended on others, she never stopped showing up for them. She became the bright spark in any gathering, known for her birthday cards, sweet notes, and her genuine love for people.

Years later, when I faced my own personal reckoning—bankruptcy, a young family, and a heavy heart—I found myself leaning on her words more than ever. Her voice, shaky but sure, reminded me that healing and redemption don’t always come in grand gestures. Sometimes they come in pieces—like her words, like my art, like life itself.

Three Quiet Lessons My Mother Taught Me:

1. Strength Doesn’t Always Roar
My mother couldn’t walk without assistance or speak in long sentences, but her presence filled the room. She never complained. Her faith didn’t make her louder—it made her steadfast. Real strength is often found in the quiet perseverance to keep going.

2. Encourage with What You Have
She couldn’t do everything, but she always found a way to do something. A birthday card. A smile. A simple, thoughtful phrase. In a world often obsessed with doing more, she reminded me that sometimes the smallest gesture carries the greatest impact.

3. Time Heals in Increments
When life comes undone, we want instant fixes. But healing rarely works that way. My mother’s life—and my own story—show that time, coupled with faith and the love of those around us, can transform even the darkest seasons into unexpected blessings.

A Word to the Wounded

For some, Mother’s Day reopens old wounds—of loss, distance, or absence. If you never knew the comfort of a nurturing mother, I want to acknowledge your pain. May you find healing in the presence of other encouragers in your life—mentors, friends, or even strangers who believe in you.

As we approach Mother’s Day, I encourage you to pause. Whether your memories are fond or fractured, reflect on the moments that shaped you. For me, it’s my mother’s determination, her humor through hardship, and those tender words that still guide me: “It just takes time, honey.”
Life has a way of coming full circle. Sometimes, the words we heard as children become the lifelines we offer to others.