A lot can be said
about my mother. She was eccentric,
stubborn, persistent, loved sweets, never met a stranger, but most of all she
had a heart of gold.
I’ve never known
her to hold a grudge. I don’t know if she honestly forgave them or if she just
forgot, but she always saw the good in people.
Most people think
of her as very dependent on my grandmother and me, but I remember her as a
divorced, single mom who managed to raise two children on a secretary’s pay and
a little help from family.
She would do
anything to help someone in need, sometimes against better judgment.
It is hard to
think of my mom without a smile. She was
so cheerful, a little goofy and always entertaining. She always made my friends feel at home
even though she often embarrassed me. It
wasn’t until I was grown that I began to understand her and appreciate her for
who she was. She was just Betty.
I will remember
all the outrageous things about her—how she wore her hair on the top of her
head, how she lived on Cheerios, how she “read”the cards, and how she loved her
snacks. She could be a little obsessive
if she wanted you to hear a song or read a story.
She and my
grandmother were inseparable and I don’t think Mother was ever the same after
my grandmother died. Most of my fondest
memories include both of them. Like the time Mother hit a cow on the way back
from the beach and Mama thought lightning had struck us. The time we were taking Matts car to get new
tires and Mother aired up the bad one so much it blew out and the valve stem
nearly hit Mama. Or the time they
stopped at a yard sale that ended up being a birthday party. Now they can continue their antics in
Heaven.
I will remember
many things about my mother but the greatest legacy she will leave is her faith
in Jesus Christ. Hers was a faith like a
child. She never questioned, she just
believed. When she had to live in
assisted living she never complained, she just said “pray for me.” When I would leave after a visit her last
words were always “pray for me.” I
would sometimes become agitated and say “Mother, I always pray for you.” I thought she was being selfish and only
thinking of herself. What I now realize
is that in her childlike way she was saying “not my will but Thine be done,
Lord.” She couldn’t change her
circumstances but through her prayers and the prayers of others she could make
it through her pain.
I miss my mother,
but I thank the Lord for the model of faith she gave me.
So sweet Carol.
ReplyDeleteThat was a beautiful story, Carol.
ReplyDeleteLove it! Happy Mother’s Day!
ReplyDeleteAunt Betty was a kind & loving lady with a heart of gold with an easy going spirit.
ReplyDeleteHer Mom, Mrs. Chandler was so precious too! Sweet memories! I truly miss all those that were a part of our childhood…just good people! Thank you for sharing! I love you Carol! 🥰