Today’s Scripture Readings:
OT: Isaiah 6-7
NT: Acts 2
W&W: Proverbs 10
Today’s Reflection:
Today is my mother’s birthday. She would have turned 80 today, but instead, she is celebrating her birthday in heaven for the 4th time. Mom was an amazing lady. Life dealt her some impossible hands, but she always seemed to make something of them, and – using a euchre analogy – take quite a few “tricks” along the way.
As was the case with my brothers and sisters, all my friends loved Mom. They loved to be around her because she always was cheerful and picked up our spirits. And Mom loved to be with us and our friends, too. I remember how we would make go home from college and make Mom stay up late at night and play euchre. I remember one night my brother Al and I were playing against Mom and Kim, a college roommate. They were winning, so we wouldn’t let them go to bed. Neither Mom nor Kim could keep their eyes open, but they still kept on winning. Finally – about 4:00 a.m. – my dad yelled in something I can’t remember. I’m sure even if I did remember I’m sure I couldn’t repeat it!
Nothing seemed to get her down, but she always had something positive to share with those around her. She lived what she taught me when I was a young teen with a temper and a tendency to lash out at people: “You catch more flies with honey than with vinegar.” I never knew why anyone wanted to catch flies, but I know that Mom was always spreading honey! That’s why Mom had lots of friends. I remember how overwhelming it was on the day of her memorial service in Montpelier – how many people came. Even after being gone from her home town for 25 years, Mom still was drawing – not flies but friends! If Mom had any enemies in her life, I don’t know who they were.
I didn’t realize it so much at the time, but it was Mom who taught me to love life and love people. One of the things I do well is to be an “Includer.” That means I try to make sure everybody is included in the group – that no one is left out. As I look back on my Mom’s life I know where I learned that. Mom included everybody in her love. She made sure nobody was on the outside looking in but instead that everybody was on the inside. And because of that we are all better, “richer” people.
Happy birthday, Mom!
This Week’s Scripture to Memorize:
1 John 1.3: We proclaim to you what we have seen and heard, so that you also may have fellowship with us. And our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son, Jesus Christ.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
2 comments:
Happy Birthday Grandma! Thanks for writing that today, Dad. Grandma was such a special person, even when I was really young I could see the love overflowing in her. She faced some very hard times in her life (more than I can even imagine) but kept a Christ-like attitude and continued to try to make things better for her family through everything!
When I think about Grandma, I don't think I ever saw her without a smile. And those big glasses that made her look even more adorable than she already would have! Heaven is blessed to have her there already, and one day we'll join her! Maybe she won't have her glasses, but I don't doubt that her smile will be the same.
I almost mentioned Grandma's glasses in my blog yesterday! No, she doesn't need them where she is! That's a good thing because Grandpa gave them to me! I have them packed away for now, but when we get settled, I'll have them in a place where I can see them occasionally and remember those big eyes behind them!
Everybody pray for Grandpa. He's not doing so well... He was in the hospital but is now back in the nursing home without further treatment...
Post a Comment