Tag: family

Ode to Mom

My mom is 86 today. Today we celebrate Julie.

She asked on my dad’s birthday what I remembered about him. So today we will remember some things about mom.

Very disciplined. Reads her Bible every morning with her cup of black coffee. She journals too. Tim thinks when we read it she will have a lot to say about him.

She prays. Anytime I tell her something bad, good or in between, I know she prays about it. She prays for us, her kids, our kids, the great grands, her friends, her pastor, her church, people all over the world.

Lunch is the big meal. She still cooks and eats her big meal in the middle of the day. It’s amazing that such a tiny person can eat so much. But, if she cannot swallow one more M & M, she’ll leave it on the counter. (Seriously – one M & M.)

Loves chocolate. I definitely inherited this. She will buy herself cookies and chocolate chips and hide them in the pantry so they won’t be a distraction to me. I’m not always so disciplined. She will celebrate today with some Pizzelle’s chocolate https://www.pizzellesconfections.com/ and some cake at my brother’s house.

She doesn’t complain. We never know if she hurts or is uncomfortable unless we ask her directly. And even then, she usually side steps the question. I could definitely model this more in my life.

She loves to laugh. She loves it when Tim teases her about hiding her alcohol under the floor in her room. Or when he reminds her to clean up the solo cups before we come home.

She loves Xena, the wonder dog. Now that it’s warmer, mom will make a cup of coffee or grab something sweet after lunch and go outside to the back porch. Xena knows the time and is waiting by the door for her.

I know she misses dad. I asked her once why did she let dad continue to travel overseas with all of his health and mobility issues. She traveled with him and it was very hard on her too. She said that if she did that, it would be like taking dessert away from him. He wanted to check on the missionaries and encourage them. She helped make that possible.

Thankful for you, mom. I appreciate the way you point me to Jesus. Even more so after all these years. Love you.

First Time

I wanted this to happen when I was a kid- much younger than I am now.

I thought I would get some attention, some sympathy and maybe a pass on some chores.

It never happened. That is, not until last Saturday.

I broke my arm in spectacular fashion.

Xena, the wonder dog, and I were walking along the greenway. It was a beautiful day. A bit windy but, full of sun.

Under a bridge, there is a concrete pad that disappears into the creek. Sometimes Xena likes to get a drink so I got her to the water. She was not thirsty.

As I took my next step, my legs were suddenly airborne and in front of me. I instinctively put my arms out behind me and landed on my rear end. And my left arm.

I sat there for a few minutes and assessed myself. I dropped the leash but Xena didn’t wander. I also didn’t throw up from the pain. Thankful.

I called my friend who was on the same greenway. She immediately prayed and walked quickly to her car.

I’m still on the ground. Thankfully, not in the water. But it’s mossy and muddy. I was a bit timid to try to stand by myself. Finally, someone was coming closer.

I called out and asked if she could help me. She said sorry and pointed to her cell phone near her ear. Mmmm. I’m going to choose to believe she was intimidated by my German Shepherd mix who was off leash and standing alert by my side.

I got myself turned over and on my feet with a lot of prayer.

I slowly walked to the nearby school where Jill was going to pick me up. Tim was working 30 miles away but I managed to call him too. Jill and I headed for my house to grab my purse, leave Xena, update mom and then to her place to drop her dogs.

She continued to pray for favor. We were in the ER for just over an hour. It was amazing. I got in to see the doctor at SportsMed on Monday. Thankful!

I didn’t get the hard cast that I had wanted when I was a kid. No, I was told surgery was needed because the radius was broken in two places. I was in shock!

But, while I was waiting for them to replace the ER cast, I was able to wash my arm. That felt really good. It still had mud on it.

I am very grateful to usually have two good working arms and it is amazing how quickly you adapt when necessary. I never cracked an egg with one hand before. But now I have. It only took two days for my eggs not to have shells.

I have not yet mastered the art of putting my hair in a ponytail. It’s just going to stay down.

Asking for help is not a strong skill of mine but, I’m learning. Mom cuts up food like I am a child again. But, I am grateful to have bite sized chicken and apples.

I guess I am getting attention, sympathy and a pass on chores that require two hands. I definitely try to make it happen though. Lots of laughter ensues.

Friends are driving me to surgery and bringing us food. Tim has been cooking. Mom has been cleaning.

Thankful for the body of Christ to be His hands (and mine!)

Mom’s Day

During church last night, our pastor reminded everyone that it is Mother’s Day this next Sunday. Then he asked for a show of hands of people who are the product of a praying mother. A lot of hands went up. Mine did.

But what captured my thoughts, were seeing the number of people who did not raise their hands.

I was again reminded of what a gift a praying mom is. And so, I’m reading Proverbs 31:10-31 with my mom in mind.

My dad became an overseas missionary much later in life and his health continued to decline. Mom would travel with him to help out where she could. I remember asking one time why she didn’t ask him to stop traveling. It was difficult maneuvering the airports (dad needed assistance and a wheelchair.) They were both hurting physically every time they traveled.

Mom said, “I would feel as though I were taking away his dessert.” She knew dad’s time was short and didn’t want him to miss out on possibly the best time. Verse 12, “She brings him good, not harm, all the days of her life.”

Money seemed to always be tight but there was always enough. Sometimes, that meant that mom had to work outside the home. Verse 17, “She sets about her work vigorously; her arms are strong for her tasks.”

I was asked to go to a dance. She made my dress. She made several items of clothing for me – first day of school, bridesmaid, prom. Verse 19, “In her hand she holds the distaff and grasps the spindle with her fingers.”

She may not be as active as she once was but, she still manages to make a difference to people. She gives rides to those who need it. Gives little gifts to the grands. Cleans the kitchen. Cares for Xena, the wonder dog. Verse 20, “She opens her arms to the poor and extends her hands to the needy.”

Tim and I both know that she prays for us. She continues to support and pray for her children, their families, and others. I know that I am the product of a praying mom. I know that is a blessing and a legacy that I continue.

Verses 30-31, “Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised. Honor her for all that her hands have done, and let her works bring her praise at the city gate.”

Thanks, mom. For everything.

The Day After

It’s Friday. The day after Thanksgiving. It’s a day full of emotions – most of which are not pretty.

No shopping. No get togethers. A lot of alone time with my mind. Not always the best combination.

My family is fractured. I realize it most days but holidays really puts an emphasis on it. Maybe even triple the normal amount of exclamation points.

Whether it’s through death, divorce, obstinance, hurt, not everyone is together.

If I’m not careful, these thoughts will consume me. I will become upset, hateful and bitter. If I travel down this path, I wonder why isn’t she talking with me? Did I offend someone? Why do people use their kids as a weapon? Why can’t we be adults and talk about whatever the problem is?

And then I start to make up answers. If only…well, maybe this is the reason why…or I’m sure they feel this way. Not helpful.

I begin to lose focus on what a good time we had yesterday. The 17 of us that were together laughed and ate and shared. We remembered the rolls but forgot mom’s sweet potato casserole in the microwave. Memories were made.

So once again I have a choice as to what to fix my mind on. Do I let the walls that other people have surrounding their hearts surround my heart too or do I concentrate on what is right in front of me? Love, family and friends. Not to mention the fried turkey and cheesecake.

So thankful for Jesus – who never changes, who always loves, always pursues. It is in Him that I place my heart, my wounds, my hope. He promises to restore, to heal, to never leave us alone.

I hate that our family is fractured. But, I must continue to choose to love. I must continue to pray. I must continue to hope.