I have snapshots of my mother stored away in the photo album of my 30-something-year-old memory.
There’s the picture of her singing resolutely “It is Well With My Soul” at a funeral- my dad’s, a 35 year-old father to four. Then there’s the picture of a gaunt face and a bald head- hers this time, as cancer once again visited our family several years later. And though disease stole my father and a year from my mother’s health, she refused to let it steal her faith or her joy. And I have the photos to prove it.
I scroll through, and I can see snapshots of her sitting in the early-morning dark in prayer, her cheering from the bleachers during games I often sat the bench, and her dramatically directing summer musicals for us kids.
My memory album holds images of her reading aloud C.S. Lewis {as we all cried that Aslan really died}, images of her building forts on rainy days, pictures of her from the front seat dolling out complicated clues to mystery trips.
I can see her teaching my sunday school classes, and I remember that time she literally stood with her heels on top of her marked-up Bible to tell a bunch of sixth graders that we should stand on the Word of God– no matter what.
I see her in cream as she marries again and in pink when she holds her first grandchild– mine, a girl.
Mom, words will never express how deeply grateful I am to have such pictures of motherhood over my years as your daughter. My memory album is full,
of you.
Thank you that the photos you created were happy ones that encouraged me to
always, always look up.
Mom and I {My Third Birthday}
Amber posted a similiar “Thank you, Mom” post and encouraged others to enter a contest where selected entries get money towards a mother-daughter reunion.
ALifeOverseas.com / LauraParkerBlog.com.
Destined Traveler.
{ 6 comments… read them below or add one }
love Love LOVE this post, LL. She is such an amazing woman and I am grateful everyday that she is my Mom. Enjoy these last few weeks with here there. Love you.
from my friend Aubrey on Facebook about my mom . . .
“It took me four attempts to read this out loud to my mom. Tears have a funny way of cutting off the air supply. I remember many of those same moments. I clearly remember singing “It is well with my soul” and seeing the glow on your mom’s face as she sang it. I was mystified by it then. But now, partly because of her, I understand a bit more. I have a crystal clear memory of her standing on top of her old bible, giving us a concrete picture of standing on the word. Some might say it was disrespectful to stand on a bible. But i was learning from a woman who stood hard on the Word of God, not just a book. And I never forgot it. I could write too many pages for here of all the snapshots I have of miss Brenda in my own memory album. I just wanted to say your memories are shared by many, and thanks for writing it. All my love to both of you!”
Yes, I agree, sis. We four are much better because of HER. love and miss you, too.
Some days I find it overwhelming to live up to the good fortune God gave me when he chose my parents. I think about how selfish I can be, impatient I can be, unforgiving I can be, relentless on myself and people around while persuing perfection, and just plain human and sinful. Amy and I talked this weekend about how Dad’s death affected (sorry mom if I should have used “effect”) us differently. I found that I put my dad on a pedestal, turning a blind eye to his imperfections and only seeing his hero like qualities. Then I think about Mom and her undying love for me despite my shortcomings. How she prayed constantly for God to help me find my way AND I feel overwhelmed. How can I ever reach that pedestal or stand up to the name that was so graciously given to me. This is a huge burden to walk around only wishing to be as good as your parents. As a man we only want to provide a better life to our kids than was provided to us. How can I accomplish such a task? How is my 2 year old going to be able to view me that way? He has got to know that I am weak and flawed.
Then I realize that there is an alternative to this pressure. It could be to not have anyone there to pray constantly, to not have anyone there to set an example, to not have anyone there to show me God loves me, to not have anyone there to express unconditional love for me and I am thankful. My wife says sometimes I put so much pressure on myself and make my life more difficult than it needs to be. I guess this is one of those times!!!!!
In my career, I help people leave a legacy to their families. Mom, you have left the best legacy to your 4 kids and it has nothing to do with material things. Your legacy is YOU!
I love you! Steven.
Wow, bro. Maybe YOU should be the blogger. Well said. Honestly and tenderly and truly. I have no doubt mom will cry when she reads your response. I love that final statement that our legacy is in our characters and not in our stuff.
and p.s.– you are an amazing man, btw. love you. L
I remember those moments too Laura…and as soon as i started reading, i remembered your mom standing on her Bible. What a lady….we are all better for having touched the tip of her robes (because she most assuredly wants those to look like the robes of Jesus!) I cried reading this…so so true…all of it!
{ 1 trackback }