Many of you know, Mom passed away September 11th. My life has changed drastically! I am the executor of her will. There has been nothing easy about it. Mom saved EVERYTHING! Bills, programs from every event she was ever a part of, cards to/from everybody she knew – I even found her and dad’s 1951, ’52, ’53, ’54, ’55 & ’56 taxes all together. (Single page for each. Life used to be simple).
I had called mom almost every day since dad died in February 2008. Many of the calls were a rehash of something she had told already. But I intently listened.
I called each Wednesday morning as I was heading to the staff meetings at the church. Just a short, “How is your day going? Had a few minutes and thought I would call.” She anticipated the calls as much as I enjoyed making them.
Mom knew how much I enjoyed cooking for the Tuesday Night Feeding group. No matter what came up on Tuesdays she would say, “Tonight’s your cooking night. Don’t worry about me.” Even that last Tuesday afternoon when she was preparing for the ambulance to take her to the hospital, she said the same thing. Each call was special. I miss my mother! Tears are starting as I get to this part.
Mom touched lives. We have found so many “thanks you” cards that she had received. She kept them all.
Mom had so many cut out pieces of paper, some handwritten & some printed from various sources. They contained bible verses, words of encouragement, her thoughts or one she had heard that she wanted to remember. She kept these in photo albums, her wallet, on her desk (mom was still working at 88), in scrapbooks and other locations that I have found so far.
The verse that she had in more places than any, so far, was Philippians 4:13. “I can do all things through him who gives me strength.”
This verse alone is missing what I see as a most important story, which may have truly been mom’s story.
Thanks for Their Gifts
10 I rejoiced greatly in the Lord that at last you renewed your concern for me. Indeed, you were concerned, but you had no opportunity to show it. 11 I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. 12 I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. 13 I can do all this through him who gives me strength. Philippians 4:10-13
By Jerry Tyson, Activities Center Coordinator