In Honor of My Mother

On April 19, 2013, my sweet mother, Goldie Opal (Anderson) McCall completed the family circle of her generation now residing in Heaven. What a glorious reunion that must have been, especially with her life-long sweetheart, our Dad. There are not enough superlatives to describe this amazing lady, but below is a previously posted tribute to the wonderful woman we called "Mom," "Grandma Goldie," and "Gogie."  

Bakin’ Bacon 

      I must disagree, at least somewhat, with the notion that “you can’t go home again.” Following my mother’s strokes, I lived under her roof, two or three days at a time, as my siblings and I rotated in 24/7 to care for her. Mother’s move to an assisted living facility came about six months later, and her special home setting was gone. 
      God gave us a precious time with Mother as she meticulously sorted through old Bibles, antique books, pictures, crochet patterns and other memorabilia and secured the things she wanted to keep with her. I found myself listening more closely to her advice and helpful household hints. I was blessed to have the 89-year-old hands of a master craftswoman patiently show me how to crochet and tat. 
     The simple housekeeping chores and putting three home-cooked meals on the table at regular intervals felt 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 filled each and every room, yet her dogged determination to work at regaining more mobility, inch by inch, was inspirational. She maintained her maternal presence as she accepted the major change that approached all too quickly. Her calm faith and resolve kept the emotions of each one of us intact. She set a very high standard of saying “good-bye” to a home she cherished and adapting to an entirely different lifestyle and surroundings. 
     Mother’s presence in her new home only added to the gracious atmosphere of the genteel residents who awaited her arrival. And, her recipe for cherry cream pie will someday 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; 
 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 the soft voice of this Christian woman I call “Mom.”