Mom and her brother, Uncle Harold
For your consideration…
I am going to declare writer’s privilege today and feature a picture of my moth, Pat. However, it is also because I have a story of her today that speaks to today’s message which is a little different than what we may have been expecting.
I have written and told this story many times although I am not sure I have ever used it here on HOPEs Rising. This is a true story and its lesson to me is the example that came in for our message.
Mom’s parents were both dead by the time she was four. She was raised by her grandparents. A couple of days before she passed a hospice social worker paid her a visit. When she came out of Mom’s room she said, “Your mom is ready to pass but something is bothering her and she won’t say what it is. You girls need to go in there and help her make it right.” I told Lori, she was the favorite and she should do it. She told me I was the oldest and I should do it. Bottom line we were both afraid and decided to do it together. We totally blamed the social worker.
“Mom, the social worker says something is bothering you. Is that right?” She shrugged her shoulders.
“Mom, are you seeing people?” She shook her head yes.
“Are you seeing grandma and grandpa and Uncle Bob?” She shook her head yes.
“Do they want you to come with them?” Again, she shook her head yes.
“Are you afraid of leaving us? We want you happy and pain-free, Mom. We will be ok.”
“I know.” she said.
“Don’t you want to go?”
“No, I do,” she said.
“Then, Mom, what is the problem?”
I will never forget her looking at us and saying, “I haven’t seen my mom. I don’t think she recognizes me.”
Think about it. After 64 years, Mom still wanted her mother. And the thing is that this is normal.
Today we celebrate our Mothers…as we should. Bur our message is a little different. If we have been blessed with the privilege of being a mother, we have been given not only a huge responsibility but the greatest Blessing of all. If we are a mother, let us be grateful beyond measure.
That is the HOPE. And so it is.
Bit by bit, piece by piece, HOPE by HOPE action steps anyone can take…
-Affirm…“I am loved.”
-Meditate/pray…ask…”What is my next step for my highest good and the highest good of all.”
-Be the person our Mom wants us to be…and more.
-Drink lots of water.
-Get outdoors and take in at least 10 deep breaths.
What made me smile yesterday…
-Our fire and rescue came and helped me get Bruce up. Sometimes you just have to accept when you can’t do things alone.
-A beautiful sunny day.
-Catching up with my sister and both my girls.
-Dianne came to keep me company on a day I desperately needed her to.
-Baking done, laundry done, outdoor planting done, salads for today done, shopping done. I’d say I was pretty productive which always makes me happy.
Happy Birthday to my husband, Bruce!
Love, Blessings, and Gratitude,
Rev. Chris
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