Monday Motivation: My Girl

Friends

Happy Mother’s Day! I hope it was a fabulous day for all the mothers out there! Today, I share a favorite story from my book, “Rough Places Smooth: Moments In A Journey Through Blindness.” This special memory honors two important women in my life, one much older, my incredible grandmother-in-law Ann, and one much younger, my beloved Niece Elizabeth. It’s the story about how Elizabeth and I bonded when she was just two years old. I chose to share this precious memory today because Elizabeth will soon be a mother herself, and I can’t wait to welcome a new little one into our loving family. I hope this walk down memory lane will bring a smile for you today!

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 “I always thank my God for you and for the gracious gifts he has given you…”

1 Corinthians 1:4 – NLT

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My Girl

 

“After the rigors of the winter, it was time for some fun, and Eric and I were more than ready to get away for a weekend. A trip to Wilmington, North Carolina for Eric’s family reunion was just what the doctor ordered.

This gathering brought together Liz’s side of the family who were scattered all over the country. That weekend, they all converged ocean-side to celebrate the birthdays of the matriarch and patriarch of the clan.

Wilmington was a special place for Eric and me. His grandparents’ home was our vacation spot for many years. Located only a few miles from Wrightsville Beach, his grandparents, George and Ann, could not have picked a better spot for their retirement home. The proximity to the beach ensured a steady stream of family visits!

George and Ann had raised Liz and her two brothers in Chatham, New Jersey. George was the town doctor in what was then a sleepy small town. After a long and rewarding career, George and Ann retired to Wilmington to enjoy a sunny coastal climate and their passion for golf. Their lovely home soon became the much-loved vacation destination!

My love for George and Ann had begun nearly two decades earlier at a high school homecoming football game held just seven weeks after Eric and I had started dating. From the outset, they had welcomed me with open arms. When my high school graduation rolled around, Ann had invited Eric and me to visit them for a beach weekend. When my father rejected the idea of me heading off to the beach with my boyfriend, Ann had written a precious letter that had assured my dad that we would be fully chaperoned. In her short note penned with proper etiquette, she had made it quite clear that there would be no hanky-panky in her household. After reading the letter, Dad had chuckled, then sighed, and finally acquiesced. Thus began our annual beach vacations at the Pike family home.

Ann was good with a pen. She had sent another one of her letters to three of her oldest married grandchildren in January of 1990 suggesting that it would be a great year for great grandchildren since it would be easy to remember their ages. The letter had been beautifully worded with the perfect mix of humor and mischief. Upon receipt, Eric and I had howled hysterically at Grandma’s moxie as did the other cousins. Interestingly enough, each set of cousins brought forth their first child by the end of 1991! Grandma had gotten her way after all!

I had received another one of Ann’s letters in the weeks following my diagnosis. Her heartache for me came through in her words. She encouraged me to keep the faith, that God would see our family through this trial, working things together for good even if we couldn’t see how now. I treasured her words as I had all of her letters. Ann was a woman of great wisdom and her words never failed to inspire hope.

After all Eric and I had been through in the past eighteen months, the thought of celebrating life with Ann, George and the family I had come to love as my own lifted my spirits to a height they had not achieved in months. This trip was made even more special by the precious cargo we carried in the back seat. Just three months shy of his fourth birthday, Jonathan was entertaining his two-year-old cousin Elizabeth with a book he held up for her to see. He was merrily chatting away, and she was hanging on his every word.

Since Eric’s brother Steve and his wife Amy had a conflicting wedding obligation that weekend, I had volunteered to keep Elizabeth and take her to the family reunion. Her great grandparents were chomping at the bit to see her, and I was thrilled to have some time with her. Since we lived several hours apart, it was sometimes challenging to get the two little cousins some play time together.

Jonathan and I had entertained Elizabeth well from the moment she arrived, and she had not whined for her parents once. Since this was her first trip away from her parents, I was a little nervous about bedtime. My fears were unfounded though. She went right to sleep without a peep.

After raising a little boy, I delighted in the opportunity to take care of a little girl. Getting her dressed reminded me of my doll playing days. I dressed her up in her precious outfits, my only struggle, mastering the hair bows.

Liz and Pete met us at the beach, and Liz was so thrilled to help me shepherd her beloved grandchildren. The kids had a great time romping around together with Grandma entertaining them at every turn.

The party was lovely, and a great chance to reconnect with the family. The most precious moment of the weekend was watching Jonathan and Elizabeth sit on either side of their great grandmother as she read them a story. They were mesmerized by Ann’s animated voice, and she was mesmerized by the two of them. It was a perfect family celebration.

From the moment I had first cradled Elizabeth in my arms, I had been smitten. It was so much fun to have a little girl in the family, a chance to play dolls in addition to trains and trucks. I had enjoyed playing with her at our family gatherings, but that weekend, Elizabeth and I bonded. When she crawled in my lap and nestled her tiny head against my chest, my heart melted. From that moment on, I was her favorite Auntie, and she was my girl.” 

(Sherer, Rough Places Smooth, 2022)*

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“Dear friends, let us continue to love one another, for love comes from God. Anyone who loves is a child of God and knows God.”

1 John 4:7 – NLT

PRAYER

O Heavenly Father, thank You for the good mothers, grandmothers and mother figures in our lives. What a blessing it is to know these amazing women and to feel their incredible love. Thank You for the tremendous impact they have upon our homes and our lives. Lord, we pray special blessings over the mothers-to-be. Let them be encouraged, and grant them wisdom and strength for the days to come that they may know the precious joys of motherhood. Lord, You commanded us to love one another even as You have loved us. Thank You for these good women who role model that kind of love. Lord, let us learn to love well, so that through our love, others will see You.

In the Loving Name of Jesus, we give thanks and pray,

Amen

 

Mother’s Day Blessings,

Anita

*Excerpt from Chapter 9 of “Rough Places Smooth: Moments In A Journey Through Blindness.

”© 2022 by Anita Peden Sherer

All Rights Reserved.

-APS 5/11/2026