Mom has been with Jesus now, for nine long years. Her presence still so evident in my life, it’s hard to believe she’s gone. I miss her dreadfully, though the gut-wrenching tears have long been shed. When I think of Mom these days, I simply feel a quiet loss. Knowing she is out of pain and that we’ll meet again, is a comfort. Recalling her many virtues and the gifts she gave to my life, never fail to bring me joy.
Beautiful and Complex
Mom was a beautiful woman. Time and illness eventually robbed her of youthful prettiness, but still, mom always had beauty. She was uniquely complex, both feminine and a tomboy. Some days she was a sweetheart and other days a spitfire. Mom was capable and strong, deeply devoted to those she loved, highly sensitive, intuitive, creative, and generous to a fault.
Present and Involved
When I was young, mom signed the two of us up to do Brownies and then Girl Scouts together. Those scouting activities are among my favorite early mother/daughter memories. I admired her in leadership. And under her tutelage, I became not only a champion cookie salesgirl, but soon I was quite capable with first aid, handcrafting, home tasks, and camping skills. My favorite takeaway from those years was the time she invested in the two of us and learning how to bake a chicken and potatoes on hot rocks, buried in the ground. Crazy fun memories!
As I grew up, Mom taught me to value purpose. She transparently shared with me, her tumultuous walk with God. I’m not sure she ever got past the raw question of “Why?!” between her and God. But still, she had an undeniable singular faith in Jesus. God ultimately blessed her with a visible peace.
First Teacher
Practically speaking, Mom gave me a wide variety of basic cooking skills. And she taught me to sew. By the time I was twelve, I could reliably follow recipes, proficiently prepare family meals and sew my own Easter dress.
Truth to tell, my eighth grade Home Ec class had nothing on Mom. Literally, by the time I got there, it seemed a silly waste of time, like playing pretend house at school when I already had most skills to manage a real home.
Because of Mom, baby tending skills were a breeze for me. Being the oldest of six kids, along with a constant stream of daycare children in our home, mom made sure I was a natural with the physical care of children. Having so much more to learn as a mother, I am grateful mom gave me these core basics.
Truth and Perspective
Perspective bears heavily on one’s life experience, doesn’t it? For myself, life growing up had some incredibly rough days to forgive, and regrettably, a bunch of rebellious days on my part, to be forgiven. Whether happy times, challenging or a genuine trial, the Lord continues to reveal many gifts He gave to me, directly through my mother. She loved me and gave me her best. She prepared me for the life God gave me.
Writing the tribute for my Titus 2 Godsends had me thinking long and hard about my mom. I decided her own tribute would best honor her. After all, she bore me into life, raised me through my yuckiest years, and stuck with me until we were both adult enough to have years of a lovely relationship together. And we treasured those!
God Meant It All For Good
With all my heart, I thank God for my mom! She was and is a very good and perfect gift.
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