Category: Family

6,000 miles apart, we are close at heart…

I had originally written a post about my mom last year and I want to share it with you again, because it truly reflects how I feel about my mom (Loni, I hope you don’t mind that I reuse a previous post)….

“She is clothed with strength and dignity, and she laughs with no fear of the future. When she speaks, her words are wise, and kindness is the rule when she gives instructions. She carefully watches all that goes on in her household and does not have to bear the consequences of laziness.”
Proverbs 31:25-27 NTL

These verses pretty much describe my mom. Although my sister and I are grown women now, she always has wise words for us two girls. I miss her terribly. We talk once a week and she sends ‘care packages’ four times a year (there are some things I just can’t get here in Arizona 😆 ), but it is not the same as having coffee in the afternoons together.

My parents were very strict with us, but I think you need to raise children with a strict, but loving hand. Don’t you agree?

When growing up, my sister was always jealous of the relationship I had with Mom. I don’t know why my sister felt that our mom favored me – I think we just had a different relationship. We were more like friends than mother and daughter. We talked about everything. She was always there for us (even though she worked part time). As I got older, I was able to support her once in a while.

I remember the time when my dad got really sick from the chemo treatment. My mom was beside herself, because the nurses in the hospital wouldn’t call the doctor (it was night time mind you – how can you call the doc at night time? – That would be just too rude). So my mom didn’t know what else to do, she called me and asked if I could come and sit with her. You bet I went. Our son was in good hands with my Sweetheart – so no worries at the home-front. When I walked down the hall to meet with my mom, I got really angry (it takes me a while to get angry, but you better not cross my path when I am). Here is this wonderful woman, usually up-beat and smiling, reduced to tears because the nurses felt it was inappropriate to call the doctor. ‘Excuse me? This man is loosing blood by the gallons and you want to wait until morning to get orders for the blood transfusion?’ As I mentioned, I was angry (a little more on the mad side). Needless to say, the doc was called and my dad received the blood transfusion with 2 hours. Why I am telling you this little story? You see, my mom always put the needs of others before her own, especially with us girls. Here was the one chance for me to put into action what I had learned from her. Put my own needs (sleep) on the back burner.

Oh, do I miss just meeting for coffee in the afternoons and talk about things. Talk about our hopes and dreams, talk about the daily stuff. You see, my mom used to come visit us every other year, but her arthritis got so bad; her body can’t take the 12 hour flight any more. I am praying that God will allow her to come just one more time. Here my mom can just rest and kick-up her feet. It is her little retreat away from the daily chores she has in Germany. And it gives me the chance to spoil her for a change.

Thank you Mom for loving and raising me the way you did. I can never repay you, but I am very blessed to have a mom like you. I love YOU!!!

Blessings to you and yours,

This is my submission for “To Mom With Love” contest at Finding JOY in the Morning. Write your mom a poem
& enter too! Ends April 30, 2007.