Mother’s Day is coming soon with a huge display of cards and reminders to get something for your mother: strawberries decorated with chocolate, floral arrangements, hanging flower baskets, brunch out, or even breakfast in bed.

Red rose signifies your mother is still here on earth.

I think about my own mother at least once a day. She was a good one. She was wise, intelligent, talented, loving, and beautiful too. I was proud of her. She wasn’t perfect but she was a very good mom.

A pastor’s wife in the fifties and sixties was expected to be multi-talented and part of the church staff—for free. Mom was often the head of the Sunday School Department, the choir director, the pianist. She was an excellent teacher and that was her greatest gift. When she told a story, her audience was quiet with their eyes glued to the front of the room where she told the story. Sometimes she used a flannel graph. Other times, she used a large white sketch pad, telling the story as she drew. It might be a story book with brightly colored pictures that she showed while she told the story. She had each child in the palm of her hand—and that included me. Sometimes the story would cause me to choke with conviction, or sadness–and make we want to do better. Other times, it inspired me to tell others about God. All of the time, she captured my attention.

My mother was a talented seamstress, too. Each of her children had beautiful dresses for special occasions, an array of school clothing that did not look “home made”.

My family growing up.

Mom wasn’t perfect and each of my siblings would agree. She got impatient. Sometimes she yelled. But she was always loving and ready to talk if we wanted to, always ready to forgive when we’d done something wrong. She would defend us, too, if she thought it necessary.

After I became a mom, I realized what a difficult job mothering really is! I felt a kinship with my mom and often asked for advice in baby care and child rearing. A lot of my techniques were similar to my own mother’s.

I miss my mom. She was full of wisdom and I realized that as I grew older and wiser myself. In her later years—she lived to be 93—she became more dependent on each of us. “I need your help,” she’d say.

I wish I’d spent more time with her while she was still here on earth, but I know I’ll see her again. I don’t think she’ll be that frail woman, but the strong, confident one I  remember as a child, telling a perfect story, using artistry to make a point, sewing me a beautiful dress in an afternoon, or cooking a delicious meal.

If your mother is still here on earth, do get her a card. Do send her those Sherri’s Berries, or a box of chocolates, or something indulgent. Take her to brunch. Enjoy her! I wish I could.

Happy Mother’s Day, Mama! I’ll see you later—in Heaven!