For Martha

This post is Part Four of a 5-day series this week in celebration of Mother's Day.

We went to a women's conference together a few years after I married Jason. I sat in bed reading while the other women in the hotel room brushed teeth and put on pajamas. As Martha got into the other side of the bed, one of our roommates glanced over at us and mused, "I don't believe in thirty years of marriage I've ever slept in a bed with my mother-in-law."

I chuckled. We must have seemed a funny sight.

But my mother-in-law has been in the business of loving me--and her other daughter and son in law--as her own from day one. Far from merely tolerating my existence as a mother-in-law might, she pursues a relationship with me. (Even when that relationship requires a good deal of tolerance on her part.) 

Martha loves me by praying for us. Jason and I joke that when we have an urgent request we make use of her more direct pipeline to heaven. While I realize this does not hold theological water, I'm willing to chance it. So far her track record is pretty outstanding.

Martha loves me by prioritizing time with us. She drives the long drive to sleep on an air mattress or futon just because she hasn't been down in a while.

She is always available for a phone call, video chat, or, lately, a litany of text messages.

She loves me when she graciously welcomes us to her home, often planning delicious menus and various activities for our visits. Nana's house is simply a fun place to be. My kids count down the days when we are planning a visit, and there have been several times when I was not sure Sara was going to come back to Alabama with us.

But her hospitality and love toward me is just an overflow from the love and hospitality she has shown many people beyond her family.  My inlaws have more close--genuinely close--friendships than anyone I know. When we planned a surprise anniversary party for them years ago I was amazed by the friends who drove hours to celebrate with them.   Today I would not be so surprised.  Because if I have learned anything about them over the past decade it's this:  they love well. Martha loves me well because that's who she is.

I regularly tell people that I won the in-law lottery.  And as usual, I'm right. :)

Happy Mother's Day, Martha!