See You Soon, Mom!

Boca Ciega Bay, St Petersburg, FL. Photo taken by Mandy Sweigart-Quinn

In an hour or so my mom will drop me off at the airport. It is inevitable that the night before my mom and I have to say, “see you soon” that I cry and get really, really sad. Tears are forming as I type this!

I am not too proud to say that I love my mommy! As I have shared in other posts, my mom and I are as close as we are because we were tried by fire. I love my dad too, don’t get me wrong, but the relationship I have with my mom is different than any other relationship.

I know for some of you, this is an area of hurt, please know I do not share this in pride or arrogance, making light of your pain. Relationships are never easy. I am not always very easy to get along with (like that’s a shock to y’all!). I can be headstrong, stubborn, brash, anxious, enthusiastic and passionate. I am thankful for the patience God gives people to deal with me!

Although my heart is VERY sad to leave my mom, it will be good to see Nathan and PQ. Before COVID, I would travel to FL starting in October to May coming to FL every six weeks. (I am a snowbird!) I am thankful for this time. I am thankful for God’s grace and mercy for this unexpected visit. I am thankful for all the ways God works on my (and your) behalf without even realizing it.

Dear reader I am thankful for you! I am thankful that we are journeying together! May you look for opportunities to share with your loved ones today how much they mean to you.

Lord God, thank You that even though relationships are hard and messy You do not call us to do life alone. Lord God, in the midst of the political turmoil that is happening around the world, may Your people remember they are part of a bigger, more wonderful family than their political party. May we be loyal to King Jesus and our brothers and sisters in Christ. Lord God, thank You for my mom! Thank You for the time I was able to spend with her. Thank You Lord for family. In Jesus’s Name I pray. Amen.

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Blue Collar Theologian

My name is Mandy Sweigart-Quinn, I live in Lancaster, PA and I am a “Blue Collar Theologian.” I love Jesus! I am passionate about His Word (The Holy Bible)! I come alive when I can encourage others in their walk with Jesus (whether by writing or speaking). As a “Blue Collar Theologian” it is my aim to live/practice/work out my Christian hope with sincerity, authenticity and genuineness. As a “Blue Collar Theologian,” I strive to meet people right where they are (“Incarnational Theology”). I graduated in May 2019 from Capital Seminary and Graduate School with a Master's in Biblical Studies. I am a passionate, excited and enthusiastic person! I love flowers, sports and sunsets. Since January 2, 2018 I have had the privilege of being married to Nathan.

66 thoughts on “See You Soon, Mom!”

  1. Mandy, I know exactly how you feel! My Mom has been gone for several years, and I think of her almost every day. I miss her terribly. She was the one who brought me to Jesus. Without her I’d be lost today. Indeed, relationships are difficult. My grown son has abandoned me and my husband. He’s an only child, so we are quite alone. But saying that, we are blessed because God fills all the empty holes. A Mother’s love is the most unique love. Even though I know my husband loves and cherishes me, the love that I remember from my Mom is deeper and in a different sense trumps all love accept the love of the Father. Enjoy your Mom and cherish every moment.

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    1. Mary, you have brought tears to my heart. I hear your longing, love and appreciation for your mom and with your son. I am sorry to hear about that. I am thankful that Jesus is filling your empty holes as only He can. I am thankful that we have met here on WP. How is your sciatica? Love and blessings.

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  4. Happy You and Mom shared special time Mandy. After Dad passed I used to do the every 6 weeks trip to Florida, check on Mom, do chores on to-do list, then she finally agreed to move with me. I was a “Daddy’s girl” but yes, Mom bonds are different 💞 Safe travels 🙏

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  5. Oh my heart! I can tell your time was blessed.❤️I have that special bond with my mom too so I get it, mine’s only a twenty minute drive away though. I can’t imagine otherwise. I’ll be lifting you up in prayer—God’s peace and comfort.❤️

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    1. Thanks, Alicia! Since Sept 2019 this is the first time I haven’t either lived with my mom or across the road from her!!! I know that living in FL isn’t for Nathan and I at this point and my mom doesn’t want to move back to PA!!!! Love you sister!!!

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      2. I’m so glad my daughter insisted we not only move to her city and state, but also get a house within walking distance from her and her family. (“I want my children to be able to walk to their grandparents’ house!” <3) During the pandemic we missed our other children and grandchildren, but we could walk or bike to their house every day and visit in the yard.
        There's such a special bond between mother and daughter. I can tell you have that with your mom.

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      3. It’s strange not to live either with my mom or across the road from her! Even when I lived in FL for a few months, I was across the road from her! Nathan and I have said when my mom gets older we will move to FL to help her. I am thankful that you are so close with your daughter and grandkids! The events over the past year and a half make family even more important. Love and blessings!!!!!

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  7. Hi Mandy, I’m so glad you got to spend some quality time with your Mom. Mother’s are indeed special. Peg and I had five children and when they drop in the greeting is always the same, “Hi Dad, where’s Mom?” And when I first met my wife to be, one of the things that she said was she called her Mom, “Mommy” which I thought was kind of special. Fathers provide but Mothers give and there seems to be in some cases, no bottom from that well that they draw that love from. But don’t forget, Nathan’s cheeks are probably going to be sore, from that coat hanger stuck in his mouth, when he sees you! God’s grace is amazing. Blessings to you and yours Mandy!

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    1. Thank you for sharing this, Bruce!! I text Nathan a few minutes ago to let him know I am home and I received all kinds happy emojis!! PQ gave me a nice greeting, didn’t take long for him to realize I had treats for him in my bag! God’s grace is amazing. Overwhelmingly so! Praising God for you and Peggy 🤗🤗🧡🧡🙏🙏

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  8. Thanks Mandy for the beautiful update and love notes about ‘mommy’! Our time with them is so precious, I also struggle with being apart. I always tell my mom, “if everyone had a mother like you the world would be so much better!”
    You’re a reflection of our Father in heaven but also of your mom – she must be a lovable lady! 🙂

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    1. My mom’s name is Rose. Years ago my brother said something like, “oh Mama Rose” and that has stuck ever since. My Nathan and most of my friends call my mom, “Mama Rose.” I always said if I had kids, she would be “Rosema.” Everyone knows when I go past a rose bush I say very loudly, “RRRRROOOOOOOOOOOSSSSSSSEEEEEEESSSSSSSSSS.” I love my mom and roses are my favorite flower. When I went to SS to hyphenate my last name, I really considered changing my name from “Amanda Lynn” to “Amanda Rose” but I didn’t. If I would have had a daughter her name would have been Autumn Rose (my mom was never a fan of that🤦‍♀️😭). God is good and I agree if more folks had moms like ours it would be a better place. Praying for your mom’s salvation. Lots of love, hugs and blessings!!!

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      1. Mama Rose? That’s so endearing! Thank you for sharing this. I actually love ‘Autumn Rose’, my favorite season and beautiful flower.
        I hope your travels were smooth and all is well sister! 🌹

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      2. Mama Rose is your mama too!!! I call Nathan’s mom “Mama Cora” I am so thankful for the godly women the Lord has placed in my life, you included Lisa Beth! I just read your post, beautiful and bittersweet. Praising God for you, Bob, Becky and Starry!! 🤗🤗😘😘🧡🧡

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  9. My daughter and I always cry when we leave each other after a visit. We’re working on our emotional intelligence and control so my granddaughters don’t get programmed with that behavior. (I actually know ladies who don’t cry at all when they leave their loved ones!!)
    But, my daughter and I are empaths, my mom was too, and get emotionally upset easily. It’s one of the things I have set out to course correct.
    I love that you have such a bond with your mom!! ❤️😘

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  11. I love my mom too! I don’t like telling her good bye either… for a long time when I was a little girl I couldn’t be with my mom… BUT GOD ❤️🙏🏻🙌

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    1. When I was younger I couldn’t wait to get away from my mom! I used to tell her “when I grow up I will look down on you!” Guess what?! I am WAY shorter than my mom, so I have literally looked up to my mom my entire life! Love and blessings, Beth!!

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  16. This is beautiful Mandy! So glad that you were able to spend some time with your mother! I pray that the Lord will bless her and all of your family and give you strength for each day. You are hard to get along with? I can’t imagine that for a second 😊 God bless you, Nathan and PQ. Also Mandy, the other day you asked about my work, yesterday I passed the accreditation on the first attempt! (We have 3 chances) this means I now officially have the job! All praise be to God! 😊

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    1. Praising God with you, Dean! What a terrific update brother!!!! I am so happy for you and Andreia!!!! I am so thankful that God has brought us all together! You are such an encouragement to me brother and I mean that from the bottom of my heart! I genuinely thank God for you and Andreia and how God is using y’all to advance His Kingdom!!!

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      1. Thank you so much Mandy! You (Nathan and PQ) have been such a blessing too! You may not realize but you and others who encourage the way you do is the reason I have kept on blogging! Its helped me to find motivation and continue, praise be to God! God bless you and family Mandy!

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      1. We hit some difficulties of the potential place we are considering and we are praying this place would work out…as we are nervous since we already gave a thirty day notification…😢

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  20. Answering your comment: We are doing great, hanged out with my sisters’ family again and all my sisters were there including the one out of state; it probably be the last time in a long time we are all together again since everyone live so far. Thanks again Mandy for your prayers for my parents living situation…

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