It's Mother's Day, 5:50 a.m. The sun is just peeking at me on what seems to be a glorious day in the making. I caught a glimpse of a photo of my mom as I walked by the side table and realized just how much I miss this woman. There's not one particular memory that stands out, but several 'snapshots' buzzing through my mind this morning. She was not a perfect mother, nor was she a demonstrative type, but she was a special momma. Here's what is flashing through my mind's eye this morning:
Making sure we were sent to Sunday School every Sunday even if her and dad never went. This meant Saturday night baths and the sitting still in what seemed like forever, so she could twirl my hair around on her finger and fasten with a bobbi pin. Not just a few, but over the entire head! Yes, her children would always be presentable in church!
The apron. Growing up I cannot remember her without one on during the day. I think she got this from grandma who one day even forgot to take hers off when she went to church! Those pockets held untold oddities that she would pick up around the house and deposit in the correct place....things I'm sure us kids left lying about. It wiped up spills, kept her hands clean, protected her dress and gave me comfort. This multipurposed item represented the stay at home mom that she was during my formitive years. I have a few aprons even today.
The 'wait until your dad gets home' voice! Mom was a good 'yeller' but seldom carried through with her discipline. She left the dispensing of that to my Father. So if that was ever heard, it brought the fear of God to me....thank heaven I was a pretty 'perfect' child! Ya right!
Her laugh. Full bodied, light hearted, fun, accompanied by the ever present 'oh my stars alivin'' statement afterward. I always loved to hear her laugh. You see, even as a young child, I knew we were poor and that mom didn't have as much as my friends mom's did, so when I heard her laugh, it made me happy. Through the years, she never lost that laugh, that squinted twinkle in her eyes....thanks mom, for your laugh, I smile even now remembering it.
Her sewing talents. Oh my, this woman loved to sew! My sis and I were often seen in the same style dresses sewn with hands of love. Her, handsewn square dance dresses were beyond beautiful....they were works of art and people would often buy them when she was tired of the dress and moved on to making another. She gave me my love of sewing, a legacy that I still employ today
Her cooking. Now mind you, she was no gourmet cook, but momma could look in the fridge, pull out leftovers, put a pot on to boil and make the best soup or casserole in the land! She made dinners special with whatever there was too eat and made sure we were always gathered around the table. It had to be a real good reason if we were not home for supper! Every supper ended with dessert! Yes, momma could bake,...rarely were there store bought goodies for this family! Oh yes, I still have to have a small piece of sweet after I eat....another legacy! :)
Her gifts. Mom never forgot a birthday. With five children it was hard to provide, but darn if she didn't come up with a gift sweetly wrapped and full of expectation for us. Sometimes it was something we really needed, other times just a small fun gift. No matter, it always was accompanied by a birthday cake and lots of singing! As the years went by, she never forgot, and there in the mail would be her little offering of love. Sometimes as adults we would laugh at her attempts...I so regret that now. I realize now they were always given out of genuine caring....I am sorry momma...I love you!
I imagine I could go on and on and on, but I won't. Mother was not without her faults as none of us mom's are. I'm painfully aware of that today with my own children. But I can truly say from the bottom of my heart, that looking back I can enjoy the feelings of her love, warmth, giving and caring ways and hope that somehow she knows how much I loved her and still do. She passed down such a legacy to me that even now I stop to ask, "I wonder what mom would do." Isn't that the ultimate gift? Thank you mom, for giving me a life full of wonderment, of direction, of example. You were loved then and you are loved now. Until we meet again at the foot of the cross....I love you Momma, happy Mother's Day!
Sunday, May 8, 2011
Monday, May 2, 2011
Loading my luggage...
Ok, yes, I'm old! Well, sorta old. Not so old in MY eyes, but perhaps in my grands eyes and even my own childrens eye's. Perhaps to them I've slipped over the edge. It's ok though, because the outward appearance has no idea what the inner appearance looks like...in other words, I still feel young!
Having said that, I went to a meeting this morning where a speaker had some interesting things to say about aging. I took away from it that as we walk this aging path, we need to load a piece of luggage that contains some vital life issues that will take us smoothly through this most crucial of times. When this aging process begins to get us down, we can then reach into our bag of goodies and begin to engage in an attitude adjustment. Let me see if I can list them along with a few thought provoking remarks, relevant or not!
Begin your journey by packing:
A Positive Attitude
Now this can be a good thing because if we begin to look at our circumstances (short timers, also known as sliding down the hill), we must look at it as the glass half full even if it really is half empty. Maybe if I tell myself enough times that being old isn't so darn bad I will truly begin to believe it! Positive thinking....I wonder if that's different from a positive attitude. Is one internal and the other external? Can we fake both? I digress...'on my honor I promise to pack a positive attitude.'
A Sense of Humor
Really???? Who wouldn't laugh at that reflection in the mirror! This one's easy, except I may be laughing through my tears! Are sagging boobs funny? How about drooping eyelids? Hey! Those age spots are hysterical aren't they? Still laughing? Well, let's add aching joints, age related barnacles, dry hair, back aches, swollen fingers, cabinet full of prescriptions, memory loss, and grandchildren that say 'grandma, you're old!' Yup, it's all pretty humorous isn't it! Am I still smiling? You bet! I've packed my sense of humor!
Purpose and Meaning
As far as I could ascertain from this guy, we should pick a purpose...any purpose...pick a meaning...any meaning, and run with it. Be it stamp collecting, saving cereal boxes, hoarding, ..well, you get the 'meaning.' I really agree with this though....if we don't have these two 'meaningful' things, our lives would pretty much be 'purposeless!' Here I am purging my house of all the things I've collected through the years and he's saying to have meaning and purpose we should start a collection! I'm still contemplating this logic! That's ok, I've placed purpose and meaning in my luggage and can pull it out any time to analyze.
A Spiritual Anchor
This one I definitely will pack with pleasure! I really don't even have to pack this one! My Anchor is my Lord and He has promised to never leave nor forsake me so He will go along for the ride and gently remind me that even though this last stage of life is difficult, I have a major transformation coming! In your face old age! He has bigger and better plans for me! Talk about an attitude changer and a good reason to keep that sense of humor aforementioned!
Moment of Truth
Now how do we pack our 'moment of truth?' This is the moment when we fully understand that life is fleeting, that we will all eventually die and there's not a darn thing we can do about it. We are all terminally ill. Ah yes, I get it! When we finally come to terms with this and settle in for the duration, it won't be such a arduous journey. It just is...deal with it. And that I will, for I know to Whom I owe my life and to where I will live again. Yes, my last breath here on earth will be followed by my next breath in heaven! Now that's a moment of truth I'm packing with care!
As I look at these five items to put in my luggage for this aging trip, I wonder which one will serve me best. I think there are two...my Spiritual Anchor is number one, and a sense of humor number two. Whoever said growing old is not for sissy's grasped the moment of truth for sure, but with a positive attitude I can go forth with purpose and meaning. I'm fully packed, closing the lid, fully aware that I can open it at any time and peruse his suggestions. Not saying I can strictly adhere to them, but it's surely a goal to strive for. Nothing humorous about that!
Having said that, I went to a meeting this morning where a speaker had some interesting things to say about aging. I took away from it that as we walk this aging path, we need to load a piece of luggage that contains some vital life issues that will take us smoothly through this most crucial of times. When this aging process begins to get us down, we can then reach into our bag of goodies and begin to engage in an attitude adjustment. Let me see if I can list them along with a few thought provoking remarks, relevant or not!
Begin your journey by packing:
A Positive Attitude
Now this can be a good thing because if we begin to look at our circumstances (short timers, also known as sliding down the hill), we must look at it as the glass half full even if it really is half empty. Maybe if I tell myself enough times that being old isn't so darn bad I will truly begin to believe it! Positive thinking....I wonder if that's different from a positive attitude. Is one internal and the other external? Can we fake both? I digress...'on my honor I promise to pack a positive attitude.'
A Sense of Humor
Really???? Who wouldn't laugh at that reflection in the mirror! This one's easy, except I may be laughing through my tears! Are sagging boobs funny? How about drooping eyelids? Hey! Those age spots are hysterical aren't they? Still laughing? Well, let's add aching joints, age related barnacles, dry hair, back aches, swollen fingers, cabinet full of prescriptions, memory loss, and grandchildren that say 'grandma, you're old!' Yup, it's all pretty humorous isn't it! Am I still smiling? You bet! I've packed my sense of humor!
Purpose and Meaning
As far as I could ascertain from this guy, we should pick a purpose...any purpose...pick a meaning...any meaning, and run with it. Be it stamp collecting, saving cereal boxes, hoarding, ..well, you get the 'meaning.' I really agree with this though....if we don't have these two 'meaningful' things, our lives would pretty much be 'purposeless!' Here I am purging my house of all the things I've collected through the years and he's saying to have meaning and purpose we should start a collection! I'm still contemplating this logic! That's ok, I've placed purpose and meaning in my luggage and can pull it out any time to analyze.
A Spiritual Anchor
This one I definitely will pack with pleasure! I really don't even have to pack this one! My Anchor is my Lord and He has promised to never leave nor forsake me so He will go along for the ride and gently remind me that even though this last stage of life is difficult, I have a major transformation coming! In your face old age! He has bigger and better plans for me! Talk about an attitude changer and a good reason to keep that sense of humor aforementioned!
Moment of Truth
Now how do we pack our 'moment of truth?' This is the moment when we fully understand that life is fleeting, that we will all eventually die and there's not a darn thing we can do about it. We are all terminally ill. Ah yes, I get it! When we finally come to terms with this and settle in for the duration, it won't be such a arduous journey. It just is...deal with it. And that I will, for I know to Whom I owe my life and to where I will live again. Yes, my last breath here on earth will be followed by my next breath in heaven! Now that's a moment of truth I'm packing with care!
As I look at these five items to put in my luggage for this aging trip, I wonder which one will serve me best. I think there are two...my Spiritual Anchor is number one, and a sense of humor number two. Whoever said growing old is not for sissy's grasped the moment of truth for sure, but with a positive attitude I can go forth with purpose and meaning. I'm fully packed, closing the lid, fully aware that I can open it at any time and peruse his suggestions. Not saying I can strictly adhere to them, but it's surely a goal to strive for. Nothing humorous about that!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
