Mom, somewhere in her eighties. Isn’t she pretty?

I always think of her as Mama

She was many things to people. An artist. A teacher. A mentor. A counselor. A gracious hostess. To me, she was just my mom! When younger, she was always “Mama.” After getting older and my friends were talking about their “Moms” I began calling her that, too. But now that she’s been gone nearly ten years, I always think of her as Mama.

She prayed on her knees

I remember more than once bursting into my parent’s bedroom and interrupting her when she was on her knees at their bed, praying–out-loud. I’d quietly leave the room and wait until she was available, and I came upon that scene more than a few times.

Storyteller

She was an excellent Sunday School teacher–as well as a teacher for many years with a lifetime teacher’s certificate, but I’m talking about teaching the Bible and telling stories in and about the Bible. Whenever she told a story, people listened. Whether they were tiny tots, elementary aged kids, teenagers, or adults. She had their attention.

Dedicated student

I’m in a new Bible study–one my mom taught many times. I use her Bible when I study and I’ve been reminded of her so much as I search for answers in the Bible she used for the study. She was dedicated to studying it as the photos show.

 

This was only one of her many Bibles I’d seen her use and study, and I’m glad when we cleaned out her last room I said I’d like that Bible. Every page I turn, there’s a reminder of my mama with her handwriting throughout.

I sure miss her!

I sure do miss my mama. I’d love to call her up and chat about my day. There’s a lot that has happened since she died and we have much to catch up on. Yet, I know I’ll see her again in Heaven, for my mama’s there. Then we’ll have eternity to catch up and most of all, worship our Savior. Until then…..I’ll see you later Mama. In Heaven.

My mom was all of the things Proverbs 31 proclaims. All of them. The most important to me and my siblings is this verse:

Her children arise and call her blessed; Proverbs 31:28a

I remember a song we learned in elementary school with these words:

Hello Central,

Give me Heaven,

For my mama’s there……

I always choked up when I sang those words. I never wanted to lose my mama. God gave her to me for many more years after I learned that song. And I’m so glad, but I’d still like to make that phone call.

“Hello central……”