Lauren called late, 10:38, last Sunday night. She said, “Mom, will you come to Dallas?” I felt a tug in my heart. Something in her voice said, I need you, whether she said it or not.
“Of course, I’ll be there tomorrow,” I said. Lauren knew I had planned on making a trip sometime before the end of February. I just needed to wrap my brain around when. Just a month ago, I helped her load her Houston apartment into a U-Haul. She had lived fifteen minutes away. Now four hours. Part of my thirty-day purge required unloading some items from my house at Lauren’s new place. Still, when your child tells you you’re needed, you go. At least I do. If I’m able. And thank God I was. So I drove the road to Dallas beneath overcast gray skies.
Lauren is okay. New place. New job. Some of the same old stresses. How many times did I call my mother, especially in my twenties, with news of how the sky had fallen off my world? Sometimes a girl just needs her mom.
Together we hung a few things on the wall, some of my discards. “Anything you don’t want, we’ll give to Goodwill,” I said. Two small bags of things went back to my car. She let me rearrange some shelves and décor. We ate a few meals out, a few meals in, and each night we curled up on the couch and tried to make it to the end of a movie. We finally finished The Devil Wears Prada and concluded that no one needs to sell their soul for work or things.
And today I’m headed home. I don’t like the thought of leaving my baby girl alone. And so I leave her in God’s hands and trust. What else is a mama to do?
And for a quick post script, this week’s purge included 6 Christmas items, 13 decorative, 23 to Lauren, 5 more for dogs, 8 from one cabinet, and 31 from the garage straight to the trash. That’s 86 things no longer needed, used or loved, now gone from my house. AND, I’m 61 items ahead of schedule going into Week Three, which is awesome since I’ve been out of town. And at Lauren’s I helped her do the same 58 items out of her closet and dresser drawers. I had a trip planned to Goodwill anyway.
A happy story. It’s what Moms are for.
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Thanks, Trev! I do my best.
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It just what we do. My son called me last night and yes, I answered and helped. I have asked for help from my mom and at times now, that has been turned around and I am the one called on. I find it a blessing to be able to help. It is just one more part of love.
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True. I’ve taken a year or so off from work to go to school (which is all online), and I’m so thankful that I’m in a place to drop everything and go. It was good mother-daughter time.
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I’m glad.
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Glad you could be there for her, Crystal. We still await the day we can go visit our son and daughter 1,200 km away. Maybe by fall. We hope to get on our serious home purge soon. We started, but were interrupted by a series of disasters, including a serious illness with a parent also 1,200 km away. Dealing with that has become a full time job. Stay well. Allan
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Thank you, Allan. I understand how a series of events can impede the progress. Prayers for your loved one and for safe travels soon.
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That was sweet to read. A girl always needs her mama. Good on you for keeping on with the purge challenge.
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Thank you, Manu! I’m a little nervous about Weeks Three and Four as the challenge grows, but I’m determined to make it happen.
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Understandably, but you took it on, started so well and going through each week ahead of where you should be. I am sure you will be able to 🤗.
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Awwhh, hey, when you get the call, you gotta go 😉 Glad that she was ok and that the two of you had some quality time together! Stay well! 🙂
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Yes, I had to. She’s 29 and has never asked me to come. I’ve barged in, of course. 😂
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Haha, yes, no matter how independent they are, they are still babes to us!!!!
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How sweet! Sometimes we just need mama!
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Thank you, Michelle. Mine was there for me over and over.
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Made me feel good inside😊
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☺️ I can only hope I inspired her to keep on with the challenge. She has quite a collection of things.
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Thank you for this! There are moments when we know we just need to be that presence for our kids, even when there’s nothing *really* wrong, we just want that hand of support in ours, just to know it’s all okay and will be okay. x
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Thank you, Jean. She has always been independent (like since age 2), so this visit was good for my heart, too.
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Sweet! You two look more like sisters than mom and daughter. I’m so glad you got some quality time together.
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Thank you, Rhonda! I should’ve captioned the photo. This was 2014, I think. Still one of my favorites. I have one framed.
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Wow you both look so good together 💚.
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Thank you, Anjali! My mini-me with dark eyes.
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My pleasure, She is beautiful just like you 💓.
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Thank you so much!
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Nice entry.
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Hi Darren! Always nice to see your name pop up. Thank you! I hope you are well.
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That picture of the two of you is so cute!
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Thank you, Ashley! We’re older now, but I love the memory.
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I live in a small condo, so I get it. I have to always be giving things away. New thing in means an old thing out! Love the pic of you and your daughter! Blessings Crystal!
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That’s exactly what I told her. Every time I buy something, something else has to go. Thanks so much, Cindy!
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I always called my mother several times a day. Right after I got married my husband asked how many times a day I called my mother. I said, well as many times as I need to. Of course. A very happy story. ❤️
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I love that story! ❤️
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Love this! You two look more like sisters! Beautiful!!
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I will take that compliment! Thank you, Lori.
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💗
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❤️
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Glad you got some time with your girl. And yes, that’s the only thing a mama can do! 💕
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Thank you , Collette. I know that’s what my mama did for me. ❤️
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So great that you were able to spend time with your daughter! You are both beautiful women 🙂
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You are so kind. Thank you, Rosaliene!
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Hello, Crystal. Speaking of owning too much stuff: Some people have multiple homes, and they have too much stuff in each of them. Enjoy the weekend. Neil
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I’m super happy to have downsized our one home already. Headed there now beneath that same gray sky. But Texas Sun is on the radio. That song reminds me of you.
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I have a daughter in Ft Worth, small world.:-) The number that sticks out to me is the 31 items in the garage that went straight to trash. I think the contemporary garage has become like a closet for items that we don’t want to look at or deal with anymore. We have several (sweet, truly wonderful) neighbors that prefer to use their garages as storage rather than park their cars in there.
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We seem to have a few coincidences, Priscilla. I hate to admit the state of my garage. The rest of the purge could definitely happen there.
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You’re a wonderful mom 🙂
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Thanks, BB. I’ve been practicing for years now. ☺️
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Beautiful post Crystal. Our grown daughters still do this with my wife, and sometimes I get to offer a little advice.
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Thank you, Nico. That’s good. It seems the advice is more appreciated these days.
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🙂
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A delightful Mum post
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Thank you so much, Derrick!
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“Being a full-time mother is one of the highest salaried jobs since the payment is pure love.” —Mildred B. Vermont
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I love a good quote. Thanks, Hal!
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I always appreciated how my mom would drop everything to drive twelve hours to see me when I needed her. Just knowing she was there made everything all right.
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Twelve hours is a hike. What a great mom!
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tx for warming our hearts ❤
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☺️ Thank you for reading!
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Sometimes a girl just needs her mom and sometimes a mom just needs her girl. So lovely you both have each other.
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You are right. I might have needed her more. Thank you, Rachel.
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Beautiful story and happy to hear you are there for her. Very cute picture. 💙
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☺️ Thank you so much! I appreciate your visit.
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Such a great story. No matter how old our children are, sometimes they still need the love and comfort of Mom! 😆
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Thank you, LPMH! ❤️
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You’re most welcome!
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Beautiful, Crystal. How fitting you’d publish on Valentine’s Day weekend a story celebrating love and family.
Obviously, both you and Lauren needed this shared moment. She made the call and you made the trip. Given the big move Lauren just made, you both wanted (and got) reassurance the other is still there. More distance, miles-wise, but closer than ever in all the other, more important, factors.
Your Mom always was there for you when you needed her, and now you’re doing the same for Lauren. Someday, she’ll make the trip for someone else. And so on, and so on… Nice job on your part of this Eternal Love thing.
Oh, congratulations on finishing Prada. When I did, it was something of a coup, because, you know, I’m a guy. Pretty enjoyable work, though, as I’m a Stanley Tucci fan. Meryl Streep, too, for that mater.
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Why, thank you, Keith. Lauren and I make a pretty good team, sort of like Tucci and Streep. 😂
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That’s great you helped your daughter.look so happy.
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Thank you so much! The photo was another time she visited from college. Another happy reunion.
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I love this and I feel it deeply ❤
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Hi Kathy. Thank you. I understand. I feel everything deeply, too.
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What a beautiful post. And what a sweet relationship. I’d drop everything to go see my sons. One is in Alaska and one in Washington state. They have wives so they don’t need me now (their wives say a Mom is always needed 🥲). I purged for several years and am now back in a small house (after RV life 4 years). I understand completely! God bless you. What a beautiful duo you two make. And I love Jesus Calling~it’s my go-to devotion by book.
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Thank you so much, K. L. (those are my husband’s initials). I appreciate your visit and kind words. If my daughter had a good significant other, I would definitely worry less. Just one more thing for God’s hands. I hope you get to see your boys before too long!
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You’re welcome, Crystal. I’m glad to share initials. 😊 I understand. Sadly, due to COVID-19, I was unable to see my oldest son last year. But I flew to Washington to meet my new granddaughter and then to Idaho to meet my daughter-in-law and grandson (my oldest had to stay on his base). It’s been two years since we’ve all been together (military life). Thank goodness for technology to keep up with all of them. Where would we be without our faith? Take care, Karla 💚
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So ready for the COVID to go away. Thank goodness for technology. ❤️
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This was so beautiful! I love being a mom
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Thank you so much. I never know how people will react. I just write from my heart.
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That is the best way to write. Keep it coming!
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Crystal, you and your daughter are blessed with a love-filled relationship. Praying that you and your family are as safe and warm as possible.
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I appreciate you for thinking of us and praying. We are warm and safe now. ❤️
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I love this Crystal, your daughter is so lucky to have a Mom like you! What a lovely thing you did, getting behind the wheel, pointing yourself in her direction too. You two look so much alike! I have two daughters, and two sons, what an incredible blessing it is to experience this kind of love. God is good, C
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I think this was the best mother-daughter time we’ve ever spent. And I just might be a better mom of adult Lauren than adolescent Lauren. It’s never too late to try anyway. Thanks for cheering me on today, Cheryl!
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