Mother’s Day

Thanks Mom

 

Her children arise and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her:

“Many women do noble things, but you surpass the all.”

Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.     –Proverbs 31:28-30

Since tomorrow is Mother’s Day, I’d like to thank my Mom for teaching me…

• Frugality-I remember Mom taking me and my two brothers, Steve and Rich to the Goodwill store downtown to pick out one toy each for Christmas.  That’s all we could afford.  I spied the most beautiful doll ever, and wanted her to be mine.  She had white wavy hair with a gorgeous pink felt hat and green, shiny ribbon.  Her dress was a floral, brocade Victorian gown.  So lovely.  Even though the doll was priced “Goodwill” low, Mom wanted her even lower.  After dickering, Mom got the doll for 25 cents!  Incredible.  And, even though the doll’s head is held on by a paper clip, I still have her. I call her Marie-Antoinette.  To me, she’s priceless.
• Kindness-During a trip to the grocery store back in the 1960’s, we noticed a young boy who seemed to be in a bit of a pickle.  He was riding one of those coin-operated rocket ships so popular back then.  Unfortunately, he had a cast on his leg, and it got stuck as the machine was going up and down(presumably to imitate the orbital feel of a space ship–it was the 60’s, after all).  Mom immediately alerted management to the situation, and offered to stay with the boy until help arrived.  Oh, she also bought him a soda.  I remember thinking that was so nice.
• Culture-Mom made various attempts to teach me culture.  First was signing me up for dance class.  The high school auditorium where we held our recital seemed enormous. I still remember the song we sang.  It was called, “Woop, Woop, Woop, Here’s the Happy Wind-Up Bus”.  Real classy stuff.   I say “we”, but really I was the only one singing.  All the other kids were stage-struck.  Always a bit headstrong, one day I told Mom I’d rather stay home.  She said, “Okay”.   Since I didn’t want to learn dance, Mom figured maybe I’d want to watch dance, and bought us season tickets to the ballet.  This I loved.  We’d get all dressed up, and Mom would take me out for a nice dinner.  Afterward, we’d see the ballet.  So wonderful.  Turns out I’m a better observer of dance than performer.  Lastly, with her wonderful bargaining skills, Mom bought me a piano, and started taking me to piano lessons.  A nice side-effect to music lessons is improved mathematics ability.  I shudder to think where my math skills would have been without them.  Yes, Mom tried to get me “cultured-up”.  But, it’s difficult with a girl who’s middle name was “Grace”, at least that’s what my Dad said, and who once re-enacted the opening scene to the Dick Van Dyke show for real upon entering our house.  Maybe I should have stuck with the dance lessons a little longer.
• Commitment-Mom and Dad have been married over sixty-one years.  Their marriage is a real testament to love and commitment.  They’ve both grown and adapted as the years have passed.  And, they’ve done it together.  And, even though they are different as night and day, Mom and Dad make it work.  What an example of a good relationship.
• To be Christ-Centered-Mom is a God-fearing woman.  Always has been.  So grateful for her prayers.  What a blessing she is to me and our family.

I’ve made a lot of mistakes in my life–bad choices.  But, it occurs to me that the one choice I didn’t make was who my parents were.  I hit the jackpot.  And, when it comes to Mothers, God blessed me with the best.

I love you, Mom.  Happy Mother’s Day!