When I woke up this morning, the last thing I wanted to do was celebrate Mother’s Day. I just wasn’t feeling it. But God and my daughter had different plans. I’m so glad she decided to come home this weekend. I needed her company. I needed the love, laughs, hugs (from both of my hearts), and good food. I may have lost my mother, but… I am a mother. God blessed me with two beautiful souls. How could I not celebrate this honor?
My daughter is on her way back home. We did more in about 18 hours than we would have done the entire weekend. When I tell you we laughed, danced, sang, ate, watched Netflix (started “Forever”), had a few deep conversations, and ate some more.🥰
To the mothers and mother figures who nurture and give selflessly, “Happy Mother’s Day!” You are loved and appreciated.💕🌸💗
Just made it home and was surprised with two gift—
One…
My daughter’s home! She told me she probably wouldn’t come home because I was going to have a busy weekend, but she had sent me something that would make me smile.
And two…
I’m smiling. She sent me flowers. Y’all, I got my roses!
Talk about the perfect ending to a very long day. God is so very good.
This year and every year hereafter you will be celebrated. Thank you for giving me life. Thank you for your countless sacrifices. Thank you for your prayers. Thank you for your love. You will forever be loved and missed.♥️🌸♥️
I have never really written much about my mom outside of her birthday or Mother’s Day (which I’ll share even more tomorrow). Well, my mother, Dorothy Ree Bradford, was also a writer. She was an author and a poet. A few years ago, I tried to encourage her to start blogging but it wasn’t her thing.
During the early 2000s, she published a monthly newslettercalled The Encourager. The Encourager was a one pager that included words of encouragement with relevant scriptures as references. Every month she would print out her newsletter and mail it to her friends. I believe she did this for about two years. To this day, her friends still mention her newsletters.
When I began blogging, I never associated what she did with what I had aimed to do– inspire and encourage others. Honestly, I am not really sure why I chose to use the word “Inspiration” in my title, Shaun’s Daily Inspiration, instead of “Encouragement.” I believe I liked the way Inspiration flowed. I will have to look back and see what I was thinking when I created it.
Anyhoo… I am slowly discovering just how much we were alike. Sadly, I never really felt like we were ever on the same page. While packing up her house, I found so many journals. Had no idea she was constantly writing. None of my other siblings keep journals. Only me. Now, I do remember her having diaries when I was a little girl. I am pretty sure that is what inspired me to start writing. I had to stop keeping a diary because she kept reading them. Yeah… I was forever getting in trouble for what I had written.
The excerpt below is from my journal entry written on September 18, 2020 (significant date–will provide more details tomorrow):
“More and more I feel like I’m destined to be an encourager, even though my life isn’t the best. Guess I get that from Momma.”
It’s all beginning to make sense. I am truly her legacy.♥️
Saturday, I spent the day with one of my sisters in Mobile. We had a late lunch at Roosters in downtown Mobile. Y’all the food was so delicious that I ate EVERYTHING on my plate. I typically have to take the rest home. If you’re ever in Mobile, you have to go there!
Then yesterday, Mother’s Day, I spontaneously decided to do my own photo shoot. I put on a dress I had never worn, threw on some make up, grabbed my ring light stand and took photos from my backyard. Had so much fun!
Think I should do this more often.😊
I dedicated this photo shoot to my late Aunt Deloris who passed last fall. She loved jewelry and would always tell me, “You need something around your neck; keep a pair of bobbles (earrings) on; and put some rings on (she wore them on every finger. Lol).” So I swapped my gold hoops for dangly earrings; added this outrageous necklace (was thinking of her when I bought it); and put on a gold bangle.
Funny Story: I NEVER do my brows and for some reason decided I needed some. Well, every time I messed up, I heard “Undo” or “Redo.” Y’all, I’ve been drawing too much! Had to tell myself, “Sweetie, you can’t undo, you have to start over.”🤦🏽♀️😂
The rest of my day was quite busy. After my photo shoot, I had to drive an hour and a half away to pick up my son from his cousin’s house. On my way home, I decided to visit another sister and got to love on my nieces and nephews.
My newest niece, Danae.
Before I left home to pick up my son, my daughter asked what I wanted to do for Mother’s Day and I told her I just wanted go out and eat as if it were any other day. Nothing big. Just a quiet meal with my favorite two.😊 Pictures from Keg & Barrel West Hattiesburg.
Perfect ending to a wonderful weekend!Shrimp & Grits
Well, that’s how I spent my weekend. Hope yours was just as pleasant. Have a wonderful week!
It’s Shaun’s World 
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