August 1, 2001
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Wow, I really went off yesterday, didn’t I? I was so down. That’s the most depressed I can remember being without being able to blame it on PMS. I think the let down over the bath coupled with Mom waking up in a bad mood overwhelmed me a bit. Anyway, I woke up today feeling like my jolly self once again. SO... as promised, I am going to fill you in on some of the wonderful things about Mom. First of all, she quit her job after she got married so she could make a home for her husband and future children. It’s very isolating when you first take yourself out of the workplace. She got up every morning to fix us a hot breakfast before we left for school, because she thought this was important. She always checked our homework to make sure we had done it. She took us to church each Sunday and told us the Bible held the Truth. Whenever we were sick she took such good care of us. She would give us a little bell to ring if we wanted her and she would always bring us saltines and chunks of cheddar cheese to try to see if we could keep it down. We also got gingerale. She held our heads when we threw up. She was such a great nurse. For years after I grew up, I wanted my Mom every time I was ill. If she perceived that any of us was being treated unfairly at school (by a teacher) or by neighbors... watch out! She was like a mother bear protecting her cubs. Make no mistake about it, she WOULD defend us. After my divorce, she always sent the kids cards or notes with money in them for the ice cream truck. No one else ever sent them anything if it wasn’t their birthday or Christmas, just Mom. She wanted them to know someone cared about them and was thinking of them. I can also remember a letter a very young Chris sent her which included, “Grandma, will you buy me a new baseball mitt?” or some such request. I am sure she obliged him. She also taught Sunday School, Vacation Bible School, and helped in the church nursery many times over the years. In fact, she used to load up our station wagon with all the kids around and take us all to Vacation Bible School. She collected for the Heart Fund, The American Cancer Society and who knows what else when people still went door to door knocking. She kept an eye on an elderly neighbor (sweet Mrs. Lancaster) for years, too. She used to visit shut-ins and drive people to appointments who needed a ride. She had rules about my father, too. We were never allowed to greet him at the door whining or tattling on each other. We had to wait til after supper if we had any complaints. And the menu for dinner normally revolved around whatever it was Dad would like to have. She always kept his clothes nicely washed and ironed. When he was mowing the grass, she would fix him giant glasses of ice tea and take them to him. Mom has made many beautiful quilts. Once when a friend of mine was over and admiring her quilts, Mom gave her one when she found out she didn’t have any. My friend kept that on her bed for years and really treasured it. That was a great deal of work to give away like that. Sherry, do you still have it? Mom always laughed at my jokes, too. She was the best audience! I loved to get her going and see how long I could keep it up. She still loves to act silly and laugh a lot when she feels good. I believe Mom was a woman with dreams, much like any of us today. You can see here that she did have a side to her that showed how much she desired to be a good mom and wife. This is the Mom I think of when she is being sweet and lovable. ------------------------------------------------------------------- Today was another bad day for Mom. She has been so grumpy, but her face looks a bit puffy and I think she may be sort of sick. I hope tomorrow is better because we’re supposed to meet my sister in a very nice restaurant for lunch and she has a dental appointment directly after. She was happier when I put her to bed and we laughed and hugged a while. I do love her.... even though sometimes it sounds like I don’t. I’m not sure I always loved her, but I’m sure I do now. It’s no accident that she’s my Mom. God picked her out especially for me. And He picked me out just for her. All the years we were knocking heads, we never knew that one day I would be the one to take care of her in her hour of need. Just goes to show you how much we need to lean on the Lord and trust Him. He does, after all, see all the way to the end.
Proverbs 3:5&6 Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths. . |
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