Happy Birthday MOM!
Today my mother would have turned 99 years old. She had plans of living to 110, but complications after a stroke cut her life off in her prime. Sharp’s as a tack, and quick-witted, she would not let her kids, grandkids, or great grandchildren get away with a single thing. Always the taskmaster, she would not hesitate to tell the closest person to her to pick it up, close it, or put it away. She did not tolerate lying or cheating, and would stop a game dead in its tracks if anyone was found out to be a cheater, regardless of their age. I just celebrated my first Mother’s Day without my mother, and this will be her first birthday since she went to heaven on July 9, 2017. She never wanted to take credit for anything, always deflecting the honor and accolade on to someone else.
She raised seven children(who collected 6 spouse), had 24 grandchildren, and 52 great-grandchildren, whom she sent birthday cards to, with a dollar, five dollars, or $10, depending on the age, and never missed a single one. Christmastime became a challenge as to what to get for each person, so she began to rely on gift cards, which went over very well. I can’t help but think, when I see a box of chocolates in the shape of sea shells, how my mother would love those for her birthday.
When the Bible tells us to honor our father and our mother, it is not talking about a greeting card on special occasions, or a gift that they cannot take with them out of this world. This talking about honoring them by our deeds and actions, and our love for them directly. My mother is now with my father in heaven, and the way to honor both of them is continue living a faith-based life as they taught me. I come from a goodly heritage, and to honor my parents, I want to pass down that heritage to my children and my grandchildren. I think you have heard me say before my mother was a tiny woman, only 4 foot 10. But her dedication to the Lord left enormous shoes to fill by anyone who would follow after her. Sunday was first and foremost the Lord’s Day, everything else taking second place. She lived what she believed until the day of her death. She still was singing in the choir, being the superintendent of the beginner deaf department, a member of the women’s missionary circle, and was a good friend to those around her. I would consider myself a success if I could achieve half of the accomplishments that she lived on a daily basis.
As parents we live our lives from day to day without thinking about the heritage we are building for children. To what we are teaching them inadvertently because we don’t watch what we say and what we do more closely. Are we teaching them by fits of anger and tantrums, snide remarks, and disparaging comments about the people around us? What kind of example are we leaving for our children? That God loves them, is with them, and the only way to heaven? When we are passed away, will your children still honor you, and your beliefs?
We as authors would consider ourselves a tremendous success if we were held up as good examples for future writers. How then can we not consider the way we mentor those around us on a daily basis? While our writings may not last the test of time, the goodly heritage we passed down to our children will.
Happy 99th birthday mother, with love and honor, your favorite (hee, hee) daughter Joyce.
Honour thy father and thy mother: that thy days may be long upon the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee.
Exodus 20:12
When I call to remembrance the unfeigned faith that is in thee, which dwelt first in thy grandmother Lois, and thy mother Eunice; and I am persuaded that in thee also.
II Timothy 1:5
My son, hear the instruction of thy father, and forsake not the law of thy mother.
Proverbs 1:8
That they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children,
Titus 2:4