I pulled the huge pile of newspapers out of the drawer the other day, and clipped the columns of the past five years. I am amazed at how fast the time has flown by, and how many blessings God has given me to write about. I found several Mother’s Day Writings, and couldn’t help getting teary-eyed while reading them.
This being the first year of my mother’s absence on Mother’s Day; is certainly going to be a challenge for my siblings and me. Even though I know she will always be in my heart and memory, I’ve been feeling the “missing her” pains for the past several weeks. I never expected her to go so soon, but who did? How I wish she was still here.
While reading through the columns, I chose to reuse one that had been published several years ago. I eliminated a bit, but for the most part, it’s the same. I hope you enjoy it again. Here goes:
When Thinking Of Mom, Does Your Heart Smile?
M-O-T-H-E-R
“M” is for the million things she gave me,
“O” means only that she’s growing old,
“T” is for the tears she shed to save me,
“H” is for her heart of purest gold;
“E” is for her eyes, with love-light shining,
“R” means right, and right she’ll always be,
Put them all together, they spell “MOTHER,”
A word that means the world to me.
--Howard Johnson (c. 1915)
I stole this poem from Howard Johnson who wrote it in 1915. It’s been around awhile and it is still imbedded in my heart and mind. I remember learning it in grade-school and how special it made me feel about my mother back then. As a little girl, in my eyes, my mother could capture the moon. My mom could do anything, or so I thought back then. In fact, I still believe this to be true today.
My mother was a hard-worker. Her days began early before the sun came up and lasted wee into the night (sounds kind-of like the Proverbs 31 woman. She cooked, cleaned and made sure all six (seven including my dad) of us were fed and taken care of. She was a tight mother though. No hanky-panky went on in our house. She knew every move we made – well almost every move. When we woke in the night to get a snack, she knew it. When we didn’t do our chores, she knew it. When we told a lie, she found out about it. And lo and behold, we paid the price for our sins! But she still loved us, in spite of our faults.
Often, my mother had to discipline us. Raising six kids (five of which are girls), while my dad worked two jobs, was not an easy task. Nevertheless, she did it and her famous words that proved she did her best have always been; “None of my girls came home pregnant!”
I’ve spoken of my 4 foot, 9 1/2 inch mother on numerous occasions and I can’t pass up the opportunity to speak of her again because she is the greatest woman (next to my daughter) that has been an influence in my life. Even though she was a bit rough at times, she taught me right.
She taught me to be reverent to God and to love my family. She taught me that sticking with something through rough at times, was far better than giving up. She taught me that laziness never gets you anywhere, and that hard work has its rewards. She taught me forgiveness as she expressed it to me, over and over again.
As I watched her age, witnessing her weaknesses, I’ve learned that priorities need to be set and that some things are just not worth fretting about. She’s shown me that as women, we must slow down before it’s too late (I’m still trying to learn that). One thing for certain she taught me, is that giving is far better than receiving. She never failed to give a sack full of groceries to those less fortunate than we; a model we saw often growing up.
My mother is a woman who was a blessing to many. I wouldn’t have traded her for a million stars in the sky or the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow. She was worth more to me than all the rubies and diamonds this earth can hold. I l will always love her, with all my heart.
Do you have similar memories about and love for your mother? When you think of your mother, whether she is still here or in the sweet by and by, does your heart smile? If yes, praise God. If not, ask God to help create for you good memories with your mother, while there is still time. And if there is no time left, ask God to erase the bad, and bring to mind only good thoughts about her.
“Her children stand and bless her. Her husband praises her” Proverbs 31:28 NLT
This is a scripture that without a doubt can be said about my mother.
Happy Mother’s Day, Mother, I still love you and always will!
Let’s talk.
Terri can be reached at terriotterman@hotmail.com
I love weekends. it seems no sooner than the workweek begins, it ends. The days, or I should say weeks seem to move so fast, as the blinking of an eye.
Just three and a half short weeks ago, our Soldier came home for leave, and now in less than one week he is leaving us again; only this time for two long duty years in S. Korea.
I love our children, every one of them, neither one more than the other, I can honestly say I love them all the same. But for some reason, when your baby leaves the nest, it seems to hit home hardest. Grant you, Clay has already been gone since September, but he was in the states. This time he's going to be out of the country; and that is a bite I find hard to swallow.
I am constantly reminding myself that God is in control, and that He does just as He pleases, and that no concern is too difficult for Him. I know that He holds Clay in the palm of His hand, and that He is going to take care of him, no matter where he goes. I do know that He has marked Clay's path out for him, exactly the way He saw fit, and that through every stage of Clay's life, His Maker has been right there with him and continues to be. I am also certain that even though this life may become difficult at times, He never gives us more than we can handle; that no matter what trial we face here on earth, something far greater and much better will meet us on the other side.
This past weekend three of our children came to St. Augustine to visit us. Now to get three at one time these days is greater than a blessing, considering they are all scattered and living in different places. Marissa our only daughter, still lives in Sebring, Philip lives close by in Jacksonville, and Clay, I believe I am safe to say, is somewhere in between. The only one that was unable to come this time is Alan who lives in a quaint "little" town called Portland, Oregon, somewhere on the other side of this great USA.
Whenever our children are coming to visit, the excitement rises in our house. I can't wait to see their faces pop in the door. In the hours preceding their grand arrival, I'm usually pacing the floor hoping I haven't forgotten anything. In between getting the groceries, changing the sheets, preparing the meal, and setting the table; I am all joy! Just ask my husband. I love doing things to make their stay more pleasant! In my mind everything should be just right. Next to my husband, they are my joy, my fun, my treasure.
Ever think that might be the same way God looks at us? When He knows we are coming to spend time with Him, how do you think He feels? When He knows we are going to plop on His royal couch, do you think He makes sure the pillows are fluffed? When He thinks we are getting ready to call, doesn't He make sure the line is not busy? We are His creation, He desires to care for us, to make us happy, just as we desire to care for and make our children happy. He wants everything to be just right for us, as well.
Needless to say, we had a fantastic weekend. The meals were fab, the sunrises splendid. Every moment was a blessing. But just like the weeks, the weekends move by too quickly. Before we knew it, it was time for them to head home, back to their dwelling places. While our doors are always open to them, they have places of their own, ones that they call home. It's sad but it's true.
As we said our goodbyes, as usual a sadness filled my heart. A feeling of uncertainty as to when we will see them again. At least two of them are close by and time probably won't be too long, but for our youngest, our Soldier; with him is where my uncertainty lies. I will see him again this week before he leaves, but after that who knows when our next meeting will be? Two years seems like forever, not sure if I can hold out that long. We'll see. At least one thing is for certain, in one thing I am confidant, that I will see him again. I just hope it's sooner than later!
Let's Talk.
Author, Terri Otterman
