Missing Mom

Sunday is Mother's Day. This Mother's Day will be different than any other for me, because it will be the first Mother's Day I won't be calling Mom or sending her flowers or a card.  Mom passed away last May, just a few days before her 90th birthday.

Oh, how I miss her, my visits with her up in Michigan, and our conversations on the phone. The last couple years, those conversations were all very much the same, and often I heard the same stories over and over again. But that was okay. It was good to hear her tell of the activities at the assisted living facility that had become home for her and Dad some seven years earlier. It was a blessing to share memories of Dad with her, and hear her speak of how much she missed him since his passing back in 2008. I realized after Mom's passing that it felt as if I lost a part of Dad when she died.

Yes, I will miss Mom, but I won't forget. I will give thanks to God for her raising my brothers and me to be who we are today. I will give thanks for the sacrifices she made for us, the lessons she taught us, the trust she placed in us, and the love she shared with us. Now don't get the wrong impression - I am not trying to put my mother in the running for sainthood. Raising four boys was not an easy task, and we definitely had our share of spats and disagreements. But in the end, the foundation of love and nurturing outweighs the difficult times we had now and again.

I know that we all have different memories and relationships with our parents. Some can be quite painful to recall. I understand that days like these can be joyful for some, and hurtful for others. I know that all of us who are parents have said at one time or another, "I will never do (you fill in the blank) like Mom or Dad did." But for me, and I imagine many of you, there are memories and traits we hope we can pass on to our children.

On Mother's Day, I will be attending my son's graduation from Ohio Northern University. He will be receiving his Doctorate degree in Pharmacy. I know Mom would be so proud. I will make sure I let him know that (and that Dad is proud too).

Happy Mother's Day!

On a MUCH lighter note, I came across this video years ago - it reminds me so much of my brothers (not me - I am the baby of the family who can do no wrong!) 

Peace,
Pastor Charlie