It’s nearly Mother’s Day and I’m enjoying two streams of thought this year. The first involves the three mothers God gave me and who remain endearing women in my life.

Each time I look into my kitchen, I think of my mother. She was young and feisty at the time of my birth and has brought such delight to our lives as she has maneuvered in the kitchen over the years. She collected cookbooks, read them cover to cover, fixed perfectly prepared meals and carefully documented her experiences directly on the recipes themselves. Her precision and creative menu planning somehow rubbed off on me and it’s a connection we enjoy to this day…along with our cooking gadgets.

A look into my sewing room or outside my home office window prompts thoughts of my mother-in-law. She introduced me to the healing power and utter beauty of quilts. She also taught me how to grow roses, and I often wonder what my world would be like without something warm and beautiful to wrap up in. Or scented blossoms to grow and enjoy each spring and summer here on the island.

When I look at my car or cell phone, I think of my stepmom. She is devoted to keeping in consistent contact with her family members.

This includes regular phone calls, texts and trips to celebrate activities or birthdays. By her example, I am encouraged to reach out to those I love and remind them regularly how important they are to me.

I’m also thinking of military mothers this year as I take care of the life my husband and I have built while his work as a civilian Navy biologist takes him to bases in Europe and Africa for extended amounts of time.

I’ve learned that it’s rather satisfying to stop delegating certain tasks and simply take care of business by doing things your own way. I’ve learned that starting lawnmowers is much easier when a caring friend brings you one that works well each time. And I’ve learned that people with skills you may not possess are genuinely happy to help you. You must learn how to ask.

While I join the ranks of those missing their husbands this Mother’s Day, pure gratitude reminds me that I have three mothers and four kids to fill my heart with love and my life with adventure. I am truly thankful to Patsy, Rose Ann, Suzanne, Megan, Katie, Daniel and Alyssa. You fill my life.

n Joan Bay Klope can be reached at faithfulliving@hotmail.com