Happy Mother's Day {Life}

“I remember my mother’s prayers and they have always followed me.  They have clung to me all my life.”  Abraham Lincoln

Being a mom is not for the faint of heart.  Motherhood is filled with challenges, tears, tempers, sleepless months, and bodily smells and functions you never thought were possible.  Moms bravely take on the roles of teacher, housekeeper, referee, and head chef every single day.  Being a mom is hard.  But everyday, a simple smile or sweet snuggle reminds us that it is the most beautiful, complicated and rewarding job in the world. 

Many families across our state are blessed to have four or five living generations of women.  We thought it would be fun to explore and share the relationships between a young mom, her newborn daughter, mother and beloved grandmother. 

Brittney Tinkham Thompson grew up in Terry and admits she has always been extremely close with her grandmother, Ann Townsend, whom she affectionately calls “Memaw.”  Memaw had three daughters, and Brittney and her family lived within walking distance of her grandparents, aunts and their families.  “I spent more weekends at my grandmothers than I can count,” Brittney laughs.  “Memaw is basically my second mom.”

Memaw’s daughter, Kim Townsend, concurs.  She says, “I'm amazed at how much influence my mom has on all her grandchildren.  Brittney once told me that anytime she thought about doing something, she always thought about what her Memaw would think.   None of them ever want to disappoint their Memaw.  I think that says a lot about the influence she has had on them and how much they admire her.  I'm so proud that we have a mother, grandmother and great grandmother like her to look up to.”

Kim inherited many of Memaw’s extraordinary traits.  Brittney says, “My mom is the sweetest person I have ever met.  She will do anything for me! She has always put my brothers and me first.”

Seven months ago, Brittney welcomed her first baby, a precious daughter named Carter McLaine.   Kim smiles, “I feel like we are so lucky to have 4 generations of women!  Everyone is not as fortunate as we are to have each other and to be as close as we all are.   To see my mom sitting in the waiting room all night long while my sweet baby girl was having her sweet baby girl was priceless!  But I knew she wouldn't have missed it for the world.”

Brittney is smitten with her new baby.  “I have an unconditional love for another human being that I never thought was possible, and I feel like she has an unconditional love for me.  The smile that lights up her face is the most precious thing I have ever seen.” 

There is no doubt that Memaw and Kim understand that miraculous type of love.  Brittney says, “I was so lucky growing up because I had the love and support of my mom and both of my grandmothers.  I was never lacking in the love department.  I know that grandmothers and great-grandmothers have a unique love for their grandchildren.  I am happy Carter McLaine will have the love and support of these wonderful women to help raise her and guide her through life.”

A special thank you to Brittney and Kim for sharing their thoughts, and to Mary Moment Photography for so beautifully capturing their family in these photographs. 

Inspiration Mississippi also reached out to some of our favorite moms and daughters, and asked them to share what they admire most about the women in their lives:

“My mother inspires me in more ways than I can count but most of all her faith and determination.  She was diagnosed with lung cancer 5 years ago and was very ill during chemo and radiation.  During that difficult time she never gave up which allowed me to not have fear, but faith.  Today she is cancer free and still continues to inspire me everyday.” Katie Stafford of Mary Moment Photography

“My mom and grandmother have been such inspirations to me as a young mom!  My mom is a retired banker, and my grandmother is a retired schoolteacher.  Both were hard-working women - who balanced families and their careers while beautifully staying involved in their local communities.  We are so blessed that Holly has a wonderful relationship with her grandmother and great grandmother.  Through their faith in God and their positive outlook on life, they are truly helping us rear Holly to be such a loving and caring child!” Pam Ware of Metropolitan Bank

Pam Ware with her daughter, mother and grandmother. Photography by Merry Mason Photography

My children inspire me as a mother. Rearing babes is exhausting. Sometimes I feel like they will think their names are ‘No’ and ‘Stop that.’ But when I really pause and observe them, or really stop to enjoy them - it is magical. I love that quote, "People are people no matter how small," by Dr. Seuss. My little ones are not waiting to grow up to be relevant and have an impact - they are doing it right now. They have wisdom and faith, joy and sorrow, compassion and silliness. They are strong and loving - and although it is tiresome, it is the best work I will ever do.” Jessica Followell of Followell Fotography  

{Blog by Mitchell Walters}