Lessons from Mom
I could write a book about my Mom (and goodness knows she could right one about me!!!) but I have been trying to focus recently on the truly key lessons that she gave me over our life together. Just last week Mom reminded me and my four older brothers that this year was her 75th Mother’s Day! While, as youngest of the five of us, I have only been around for 60 of those, Mom has shared with me so much that has helped me deeply in my life. Upon close reflection what particularly stands out as critical for me are the diversity of people she exposed me to, her personal determination, and her focus on service to others.
As a single mother to me from the time I was 12 years old, Mom had little choice but to bring me around the many and varied people associated with the multiple aspects of her life, and I am thankful! She ran the Red Cross in our town, and I had the privilege to meet the volunteers and clients she interacted with. These were people of all shapes, sizes, backgrounds, and challenges. As an active member in our Church, she brought me to events, projects, and all sorts of activities where I got to know a wide variety of special people, and saw Mom interact with them all. She remains close to so many in our wide family circles, and we would travel by bus and train and car to meet with them in so many places.
Mom raised a large family in circumstances that were incredibly challenging, but she pushed ahead through everything. She used to joke that she ran a family business that should have gone bankrupt long ago, always pulling out some way to save a couple bucks and stretch a couple meals or reuse some outfits. She learned to drive when I was a teenager. She found us a way to get me through college, somehow. She has persevered through challenges too many to list. And then at 98 years old she spent a year physically isolated, navigating her latest challenge, but still strong and with hope of what is ahead.
And finally, her focus has always been on others. From washing too many dishes and clothes by hand for her boys, to girl scout service projects and leadership. She would wake up in the middle of the night to shovel coal into a cold furnace to warm her still sleeping family. Leading at the Red Cross and helping disaster victims, military service members, and people in need of medical transportation (and sometimes those wanting just a chat with an empathetic Red Cross lady.) Mom always was the first to visit those stuck at home or in a medical situation and struggled mightily this year not knowing the fate of so many of her peers and others in difficult, isolated circumstances.
I could go on and on, and this just scratches the surface! As I write these words it reminds me again that so much of what I am comes from these three main influences: Constant exposure to a diverse group of people, regular reminders of the fruits of determination, and the personal and community strength that comes from a focus on service. Mom is still teaching me every day at 98, going on 99……!!
