Sunday, May 11, 2008

Remembering My Mom on Mother's Day



Most of what I know about my mom comes from stories people have told me, as my actual memories of my mother are few. I remember she used to play "school" with me. She would even pack me a lunch in my lunchbox as if I were really leaving the house for school. I remember trips to Jelicho, TN to visit my grandparents. I remember going to Camp Dearborn with our family in the summer. I remember driving to Florida for family vacations. I remember my mom taking care of me when my cousin Jason pushed me off our back porch and knocked out some of my teeth. I do not know if these are memories of the actual moments, or me just remembering from pictures I have seen or stories I was told.
For some reason I do remember the day my dad told me and my sister Kim that my mom had died. I remember we had been staying with our sister Peggy at her little brick house in Wyandotte, and we were in the backyard when my dad come back from the hospital to tell us the news. Why I remember that some thirty-two years later I do not know. I do not remember what my mom's voice sounded like, what her cooking tasted like, or anything about her being sick.
I know my mother was one of seven children in her family. She has four sisters and two brothers. I know my mom did not have a middle name. I'm pretty sure she liked to bowl. I know she liked younger men, because she was ten years older than my dad.(Way to go dad!) I know she attended Gilead Baptist Church, and was very involved. I know she loved the Lord, and prayed for her unsaved family and friends.
I know my mom loved my dad. I know my mom loved her kids (my brother - Mike, my two sisters - Peggy & Kim, and me) I know that my mom worried who would help take care of her two babies (me and Kim) when she was gone. I know my mom knew the importance of me and my sister attending a christian school, and I thank my dad for knowing the importance also.
It's funny, because I usually have different feelings every year on Mother's Day. I remember a few years back going to my mom's grave with Amy and just breaking down because I missed her. I wanted her to know Amy and her grandson. I used to question why God would allow a four year old boy to lose his mother, but like a lot of things in life it's all about perspective. God's grace has been more than sufficient. He has taught me so much through the loss of my mother, and His blessings have been to many to count. He left me in the care of a loving father, who continues to amaze me by his selflesness and love for his family. He has given me wonderful relationships with my brother, and sisters. Best of all, He brought a beautiful woman into my life to be my best friend, my wife, and the loving mother of our son, Grant.(Soon to be sons, no we dont have a name yet!)
Happy Mother's Day, Mom. Thank you mom for loving me. Thank you for starting to instill the truth of God's Word in me at an early age. Thank you for caring about me, and worrying if I was going to be okay until the day you died. I love you, I miss you, but I look forward to seeing you again. We have a lot of catching up to do.

6 comments:

Anonymous said...

Just beautiful ... made me cry. I sure am enjoying this blog. Can't wait to see pictures of the new little guy! :) Take care and miss you.
Amy

Anonymous said...

Tim,
As long as I've known you and were so close to you in High School, I never knew any of those things. Perhaps, we were not on this mature level as what to question and when about such a sad time in your life. Your blog is just beautiful and your mom was beautiful too. Now that we are parents ourselves, I know we can't even imagine what your mom and dad were going through at the time. Next time I am in town, we need to get together and catch up (maybe at Chuck E Cheese and the kids can play and we can chat. love you!

Anonymous said...

Tim...you are a man of few words...but this blog about your mom made me cry and thank God for my mom and wonderful family. I am so happy you and Amy met and married. You are a great couple and we are blessed to have you in the family:)Who would have thought that cute little curly blonde haired boy I saw a Gilead 30 something years ago would be my nephew! I love you and I'm happy we're related! Auntie Beth xoxox

Anonymous said...

Tim I enjoyed reading your tribute to Mom. She would be very pround of you. She would also love the wife and son God has blessed you with. I love you and am glad you are my brother. I do not tell you that enough. Now I can't wait to what you are going to write on Father's Day.

Anonymous said...

Now in 2010, I can still read this again and appreciate what a wonderful Lady your Mom was. She was very special and loved by Many. Thanks again Tim for this wonderful message. Trudy

Anonymous said...

I enjoyed reading this again. I have fond memories of Aunt Al, even though I was only 8 or 9 when she passed away. I remember her smile, and her sweet spirit, and how fun she was to be around. I could tell how much she loved her kids. I remember her buying me a birthday cake one year. I still remember what it looked like. I remember Kim and Tim coming to our house when Aunt Al was very sick with terrible head pain. My mom has told me many things about how special she was and what a godly example she was to her. Love and miss you, Tonya