Sunday, May 9, 2010

Remembering Mama on Mother's Day

On this Mother's Day, I want to pay tribute to my "Mama."

In the 2009 publication "The Women of Mercer County" I wrote these words about my precious, determined mother (who was raised in a home for girls:)

"She could have made herself miserable in her "orphan" home or wallowed in self pity when her first husband killed himself, but she chose to make the best of her situation many times.  She determined to love and be loyal to the people she lived with.  She determined to get an education and pursue a career.  She determined to pick herself up after any set back and become a stronger person.  She made up her mind to treat her customers with kindness and respect and therefore grew a sucessful business.  She determined that her girls would have a life that she didn't; one of a warm, safe, loving home where they didn't have to work hard to earn love and where they had clothes that she hand made in the wee hours of many mornings.  She was a wonderful cook and always saw to it that there were three great meals a day for her family.  She allowed us to romp and play and just be kids having lots of fun.  And our Christmases were magical each year because she saw to it that we always got lots of wonderful things even though we lived on meager means.  (Mama was determined to make it that way since her Christmases were far from magical.)  She also determined that her girls would grow up with respect for others and so she didn't spare the rod when any of us got out of hand. 

What makes a great woman?  For her it meant not giving up on life when the chips were down and putting others before herself, sacrificing much for her family.  She didn't leave behind any list of great civic accomplishments or was never famous.  What she did leave was a legacy of determination and what can be achieved when it is motivated by love.  As for me and my sisters, I believe we are better, more determined women because of the role model she was for all of us!"

I thank God over and over for my Mama who loved and sacrificed so much and I still miss her, even though she has been gone for 22 years.

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