Comments on: Snapshots of a Mom

By: Weeds in Vases | Laura Parker

Weeds in Vases | Laura Parker — Sat, 07 May 2011 15:35:43 +0000

[...] To read about my own mom, you can read a former post from the archives entitled, Snapshots of a Mom. [...]

By: Logan

Logan — Thu, 08 Jul 2010 18:30:17 +0000

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!

By: Laura

Laura — Thu, 08 Jul 2010 02:06:09 +0000

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

By: Steven Abels

Steven Abels — Wed, 07 Jul 2010 14:52:57 +0000

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.

By: Laura

Laura — Wed, 07 Jul 2010 02:21:46 +0000

Yes, I agree, sis. We four are much better because of HER. love and miss you, too.

By: Laura

Laura — Wed, 07 Jul 2010 02:21:03 +0000

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!”

By: Amy Stewart

Amy Stewart — Tue, 06 Jul 2010 14:05:39 +0000

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.