May 10, 2015
It's been roughly four years since this post was written, and I find it hard to believe that Mother has been absent with us and present with the Lord for two years and almost three weeks. Mother's Day is bittersweet now. I'm so thankful for her life and her influence that manifests itself in my life more and more as my life speeds so quickly by.
Mother showed us how to live and she showed us how accept the inevitable changes that come, whether we are ready for them or not. And she showed us how to let go when it was time - with courage and hope and peace. I will love you forever, Mom. Heaven is so much sweeter and hope-filled knowing you and Dad and finally "Together Forever."
2011
I must disagree, at least somewhat, with the notion that “you can’t go home again.” For the past month I’ve been living under my mother’s roof, two or three days at a time, as my siblings and I rotate in 24/7 to care for her. Mother’s move to an assisted living facility is approaching, and this special home setting will be gone.
It's been roughly four years since this post was written, and I find it hard to believe that Mother has been absent with us and present with the Lord for two years and almost three weeks. Mother's Day is bittersweet now. I'm so thankful for her life and her influence that manifests itself in my life more and more as my life speeds so quickly by.
Mother showed us how to live and she showed us how accept the inevitable changes that come, whether we are ready for them or not. And she showed us how to let go when it was time - with courage and hope and peace. I will love you forever, Mom. Heaven is so much sweeter and hope-filled knowing you and Dad and finally "Together Forever."
2011
I must disagree, at least somewhat, with the notion that “you can’t go home again.” For the past month I’ve been living under my mother’s roof, two or three days at a time, as my siblings and I rotate in 24/7 to care for her. Mother’s move to an assisted living facility is approaching, and this special home setting will be gone.
God has given us time with Mother as she meticulously sorts through old Bibles, antique books, pictures, crochet books, and other memorabilia as she secures the things she wants to keep with her. I find myself listening more closely to her advice and helpful household hints. I’m blessed to have the 88-year-old hands of a master craftswoman to patiently show me how to crochet.
The simple housekeeping chores and putting three home-cooked meals on the table at regular intervals feel so natural in her home. The same activities in my home are sporadically wedged in among other priorities that are given much more importance than they deserve.
Mother’s gentle spirit fills each and every room, yet her dogged determination to work at regaining more mobility, inch by inch, is inspirational. She is maintaining her maternal presence as she accepts the major change that is approaching all too quickly. Her calm faith and resolve are keeping the emotions of each one of us intact. Mother’s presence in her new home will only add to the gracious atmosphere of the genteel residents who await her arrival. And, her recipe for cherry cream pie will join the delicacies introduced by new residents.
Have you ever baked bacon? It’s one of those wonderful helpful hints of Mother’s: Place the bacon strips in a loaf pan equipped with a drip pan and bake at 350 degrees for about 30 minutes. Your house will smell wonderful and there are no greasy splatters. The bacon is tender and absolutely delicious. Believe me, the end results are worth the extra time.
An excellent wife, who can find? For her worth is far above jewels.
Strength and dignity are her clothing, And she smiles at the future.
She opens her mouth in wisdom, And the teaching of kindness is on her tongue.
She looks well to the ways of her household, And does not eat the bread of idleness.
Her children rise up and bless her;
Re-posted from Nancy K. Sullivan at www.JewelsofEncouragement.com
Give her the product of her hands, And let her works praise her in the gates.
Proverbs 31:10, 25, 26, 27, 28 and 31 (NASB).
Thank you, Lord, for blessing my life with this Jewel of Encouragement I call “Mom.”
Re-posted from Nancy K. Sullivan at www.JewelsofEncouragement.com
2 comments:
I love the photo of your mother's hands.
'The simple housekeeping chores and putting three home-cooked meals on the table at regular intervals feel so natural in her home. The same activities in my home are sporadically wedged in among other priorities that are given much more importance than they deserve'
That is so true and shows where the real servent attitude is. Often serving at home is more of a chore than out of love.
Nancy, We would love to see your great articles on www.CollectiveFaith.com. Please join and share with our Christian Social Network.
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