Five years ago on my birthday, Mom entered the hospital for the last time. And five years ago today, she entered eternal life.
Though I often think my dad had the greatest influence on my life, realistically that credit goes to my mother. She was the wife of a pastor and camp director raising a family of six children out in the country. She didn’t learn to drive until she was in her 50’s, so she was at the mercy of Dad’s schedule for groceries, doctor visits, shopping, and socializing. Dad’s commitment to his ministry often left her a virtual single mom. She wasn’t the best housekeeper, and most of our meals involved something from a can. But’s her voice is the one I hear as I go about my daily life. For example, every time I’m tempted to turn up my nose at a new food, I hear her saying, “Well, you can learn to like it.”
Mom possessed a sense of humor that often surprised us. Whether she was helping us short-sheet a sibling’s bed before they came home from a late date, or whether she was chuckling over her own awkward mis-steps, she taught us that laughter is good medicine, especially when shared with loved ones.
But her faith in the Lord has been the greatest influence in my life. Not my father’s preaching, or any other pastor’s teaching, but Mother’s quiet faith lived out day by day. She loved to recite the Lord’s Prayer and Psalm 23. She loved hymns and would often encourage us to sing with her, Today, I still find myself humming those beloved hymns.
In recent months, when y family gathered for my sister’s memorial service, nearly twenty of us joined hands and sang our familiar table grace in the middle of a crowded restaurant. I couldn’t help but think Mom would be pleased.
Thanks, Mom!
