In many circles, the term "Mama's Boy" usually refers to a sissy-fied little twerp who can't seem to zip up his pants without his mother's help...even at the age of 23.  Those types of Mama's Boys need to grow up and move out of their parents' basement, get rid of the Star Wars matching pajamas and bed sheets, and go chop some firewood somewhere...with an axe...and brawn...even if it's summertime.  If you're like me and you grew up in the South, you may have a little different understanding of "Mama's Boy."

I am a proud Mama's Boy...and I can zip up my pants on my own just fine, thank you.  Well, sometimes I do forget, but that's beside the point.  Anyway, in my family, it's quite an honor to be a Mama's Boy.  There have been, and still are, some great Mama's taking care of all of us.  There are many that come to mind, but there are a certain few that seem to stick out.

I think of my grandmother Edith Buchanan, also known as Maw Maw.  She lost her husband Ralph at a relatively young age and still managed to raise and provide for 5 children and instill in them everything a good mother would want to instill in her children.  Her children are a testament to her wisdom, caring, love, and godliness.  She was a great lady.

I also think of my great aunt, Aunt Mary Glenn Buchanan.  She was one of the sweetest ladies you can imagine.  Everyone who knew her just loved her to pieces.  As far back as I can remember, she was advanced in years, so I don't know a whole lot about the majority of her life, but I know how much she loved her children and all her family, including me.

I guess you could call me and "Aunt's Boy" too, 'cause I got some good ones!  My aunt Ruth Buchanan, like Maw Maw, lost her husband much too early.  She and Ralph have 3 children who all now have beautiful families of their own.  I had the pleasure of traveling on overseas mission trips with Ruth on two separate occasions.  I saw, first-hand, her compassion for people and her willingness to do whatever needed to be done.

Mama's sister Sally Hughes, whom I affectionately call "My Dear Aunt Sally," is another great mama in my family.  Despite suffering from Multiple Sclerosis, she and her husband Alan raised their son Jamie (or Jim as he prefers now) and she has always had an incredible attitude.  I've learned so much from her and she's an inspiration to me.

Mama's other sister Becky Grubbs, though she never had children of her own, has been a mama to countless children she's taught over the years.  Her wisdom and love for children is truly an amazing thing.  She and my adopted aunt, Faye Benjamin, now run an after-school program for a group of "inner-city" kids, and they are both constantly involved in showing the love of Jesus Christ to kids all over LaGrange.

All the mama's in my family have had a very important part in my own life, and I love them all dearly, but the most important mama to me is my Mama.  A child can never adequately thank his Mama, and I couldn't even get close if I tried.  My Mama has raised me, taught me, disciplined me, protected me, provided for me, worked herself to exhaustion for me, baked hundreds of cakes to make extra money, done everything and more than could ever be expected of her, all to try to provide the best for me.  Mother's Day is one day out of the year when we celebrate everything our Mama's do, but we really should thank them every day.

Mama, I love you so much.  I can't possibly thank you enough for everything you've ever done for me.  I know there have been times when I've made you so mad you wanted to snatch a knot in my head (maybe with a pair of pliers or something).  You have given me a glimpse of the lovingkindness Jesus Christ has shown me, through your patience, love, care, provision, and guidance...none of which I deserve in the least.  I truly thank God for you.  Some of my friends up here pick at me sometimes because I seem to always talk about my Mama...it makes me glad when they give me a hard time.  It reminds me that I'm loved far more than I can even know.  I wish I were a better son and I hope that I'm able to show you at least a little bit of the love and appreciation you deserve.  I’m proud to be known as a Mama’s boy and I’m so glad that you’re my Mama.

I love you,

me