Mother-2020

My mom has been in Heaven for a long time. I still miss her. . .in so many ways. When she was in her nineties I would sneak her favorite candy into her room at the retirement village where she lived. She was diabetic, of course. My two sisters would have chastened me for such behavior, but it made her happy during the closing days of her life.

When I was a kid (and all of her life) she was a stay-at-home mom. She never learned to drive a vehicle, and only went shopping when we needed clothes, or on occasion when she needed gifts for others. Dad did all the grocery shopping as I remember it (she could have gone occasionally). She always took our side when our behavior brought my Father’s discipline. I don’t ever remember her raising her hand to us. We did what she asked because she was “mamma” and we wanted to please her.

She sang to us (she was a fabulous singer – recruited as an opera singer in her teens) and taught us the hymns and songs she wanted us to know by singing them to us. When we were home from school she would sing as she swept the floor – always with a broom, and she did that several times a day. I don’t remember having any carpet. We were required to memorize a certain number of Scriptures each week, and she always helped us do so. She prayed a lot. . .a lot. She prayed for us and with us. When we sat with her in Church (every time the doors were open) she kept us in line. . .no chewing gum, talking, writing, sleeping, or moving.

One thing I knew for absolute sure. She lloved me! She told me that every day. She showed that every day. And, here is something so important – when I chose a steady girlfriend, later my bride, mom lloved her, from the beginning – I’m sure as much as she lloved me.

I officiated at her funeral. She had asked for that! It was not easy in so many ways, but it was easy in others. I knew she was in Heaven as I spoke that day. I knew she had given her life in fullness to me from the day I was born to the day she died.

I miss her. . .still. I will see her soon, and she will sing, and llove, and care as she always did.

If you can hear me, Mom, HAPPY MOTHER’S DAY.