Since tomorrow is Mother’s Day, I thought it would be
fitting to spend some time remembering all that they do and have done for us.
Yet today, I am going to wax somewhat selfish in my posting. I have been
reflecting this week on all the things my mother has done for the 5 of us. I
might add that, most or all of these things hold true for my Mother-in-law, Judy
Morris, also. They have both helped me tremendously! Thank you ladies!
My mother was, and
still is, a legacy builder. She started us out on the journey of life with many
invaluable skills. And as I look around me, I realize that she did a fantastic
job.
·
She taught us about God.
Some of my very
first recollections are of sitting in church with my family. But that is not
where it happened. She lived it in front of us. She was not perfect; she was
honest and devoted.
·
She taught me to do the right thing, even when
no one was watching, but simply because it was the right thing to do.
·
She stood up for us when we were in the right,
and “upended us” when we did wrong. (Enough said.)
·
She taught us how to be creative without having
to buy everything.
She decorated cakes,
taught us to make frosting flowers, sugar molded bells, candles, and do many
other crafts and fun activities.
·
She taught us how to recycle when it was not
even popular.
I remember the summer
when she made a town for us out of television boxes. We had a house, complete
with painted on bricks across the front. There were stores, and a lemonade
stand with a counter and a pull down window. They were all hand-made, with
love.
·
She taught us how to help others – often for free.
·
·
She taught us how to read – well. There is a
reason all of us have educational degrees.
·
She gave us a love for music. She always sang to
us and encouraged us to pursue music lessons.
·
She gave us the freedom to be children. I suppose
we would have been called “free range” children by today’s standards, but she
did know where we were, and most times, what we were up to. Sometimes I still
wonder how she knew.
·
She taught us not to steal. I remember going
back to a shop and giving back the tiny pen I had pocketed. When the shopkeeper
said, “oh, that’s alright”, she proceeded to explain to him how “alright” it
wasn’t, thus helping his character also, killing two birds with one stone. We probably
both still remember it.
·
She taught us how to love. My parent stayed
together through thick and thin. I know a good marriage takes two, yet I know
she did her part.
·
She continues to be a wonderful grandmother and
great grandmother. FaceTime is a wonderful thing. (Hm, maybe that’s how she
knew…)
I am sure I have left things out. Some things I will not realize for
years to come; others will return to mind as life moves on.
Bless you mother. on your special day. I can only hope that I can give
as many things to my children as you have given to me!
