Mothers–A Gift

We’re celebrating Mother’s Day this coming Sunday and I think it’ important to remember this day. Bur first, here’s what’s new in my garden this week:

 

About mothers:

Abraham Lincoln said,

All that I am or ever hope to be, I owe to my angel mother.

Henry Ward Beecher:

The mother’s heart is the child’s schoolroom.

One last one from John Wesley:

I learned more about Christianity from my mother than from all the theologians in England.

What will I say about my own dear mother? They called her Rose, but she was my mama.

 She was smart. She graduated top of her high school class (it was small, but she was the valedictorian). Later she started her college and taught and possessed a lifetime teaching certificate. Later in her fifties, she obtained her Master’s degree as a Reading Specialist. She was an excellent teacher.

 Efficient. Mom could put on a meal for seven hungry family members in quick time. It was hot and yummy and filled our bellies. To this day, I can’t think of anyone who made fried chicken like she did. And her dinner rolls, flaky and light. Of course she made other tasty foods, too, but right now that’s what I think of.

Thrifty. Mom could make a dollar extend to ten dollars. For as long as I can remember, Mom had a coin purse that started with $20 each week. That served for groceries, incidentals of any kind, including shoes and clothing. One summer when the youngest was a toddler, she picked strawberries at a farm nearby and earned enough to purchase a clothes dryer so she didn’t have to hang the diapers on the line in the rainy northwest.

 Creative. She was a seamstress–by necessity–and because she was skilled, made all of our clothing which looked very tailored and better than store bought. She even made our winter coats for several seasons. When it was time for back-to-school, we’d go to the fabric store and pick out what we liked, she just needed a picture in a magazine or catalog and without a pattern, would make them. All four of her daughters wore wedding gowns she sewed.

 Spiritual. Numerous times I walked into her bedroom and she was on her knees in front of her bed praying out loud, often with tears running down her cheeks. She was the best Bible story teller and loved teaching the Bible. On her tombstone it says, “She taught the Word,” an apt description for her.

 Loving and forgiving. I remember a specific scene in my childhood when I had a temper tantrum because Mom wouldn’t let me wear a certain dress to school. I had a fit. All day at school, I felt very sad because of my behavior. When I came home, I went to my mama immediately and said, “Mama, I’m sorry I was bad this morning.” It was like she forgot completely, for she chuckled and said “Of course I forgive you!” as if she’d forgotten, which I’m sure she did. She didn’t throw previous mistakes back at me.

  Classy. I was always proud of my mom. She dressed like a queen. Not always fancy when she was at home doing chores, but dressed like she could meet anyone who came to the door. As an older woman, she continued to dress with class. I never saw her in sweats and baggy tops like I see some older women today.

   Artist: She was well known for her chalk artistry and even today, when people tell me they knew mom what they mention the most were her “chalk talks”. She was able to draw anything, did oil paintings, charcoal, and other creative drawings  which she used in her classrooms at school and church.

Does that give you a picture of my mom? I hope so. A blog is too short a place to list all of my mother’s attributes, but I hope you get a picture of who she was. I’m sure my siblings would add to my memories for sure.

Are you grieving your mother today or some other loved one who is no longer here on earth? Are you so sad about someone else who is no longer here that you aren’t able to focus on your memories of your mother? When my mother’s caregiver called me and said Mom was failing, I was already deep in grief for my husband who had been gone only a few months. I remember thinking I can’t think about my grief for Mom now, I’ll put it aside and take care of it later. You might have to set your grief aside, like I did,  but don’t forget to work through those memories–good or bad.

Tradition says white stands for mothers no longer living and red for the living. Both colors signify love of moms.

I like what I read today in a devotional called Streams in the Desert (I highly recommend this book). I’ll just quote one passage. I hope it speaks to you as it did to me:

When you become weak through fierce fires of affliction, do not try to “be strong.” Just “be still, and know that [He is] God.” And know that He will sustain you and bring you through the fire. 

God reserves His best medicine for our times of deepest despair.

From Psalm 46:10 Be still and know that I am God.

I remember as an elementary student singing this song in public school: Hello Central, give me heaven, for my mama’s there….Whenever we sang that song my throat clenched in fear. I never wanted to lose my mama. God gifted me in that my mother lived to be 93. Some of you were not as blessed to have your mother as long as I did or would want.

Mom has been gone nearly nine years now, and I still think about calling her and telling her my news. I wish I could bring her a treat at her retirement home. A taco supreme from Taco Bell, or some Kentucky fried chicken. Or maybe drive her to Chinese Village for their superb fried rice, or Red Lobster for the scampi she adored.

If your mother is still on earth, take the time to get in touch with her. Time is fleeting and one day, she won’t be here to express your love to her.

I’m so glad I will see her again. So this is for you Mama. See you later—–in heaven!