“She considers a field and buys it; with the fruit of her hands she plants a vineyard. She dresses herself with strength and makes her arms strong.  She perceives that her merchandise is profitable. She is not afraid of snow for her household, for all her household are clothed in scarlet. Strength and dignity are her clothing and she laughs at the time to come.”  Proverbs 31:16-18, 25  

As I think of mothers this Mother’s Day season, I can’t help but think of my mom. Much of who I am started with her. She is not perfect but she did do some things well. We don’t always appreciate what our mom’s mean to us until years later or sometimes after they are gone.  I for one don’t want to wait until my mom is gone to remember all the good things she has done for me.  

Knowing my mom likes to talk best in the car when her thinking juices are running as she looks out at the scenery around her. So about 4 years ago, when Mema (as my children call her) was visiting our home, (she is now 84), I asked her questions about some of her life’s experiences.

I don’t know about you but I wonder how many of us often don’t see our moms beyond just being our moms?  “Oh that’s just my mom”. There is so much more to our mothers that just being ‘mom.’

Nothing wrong with being mom, of course, but as I asked her more about her early life, I learned some things I didn’t know.  I stood in amazement. Take note, don’t wait until they can’t remember and you wished you had asked. I do wish I had asked more because in just 4 years now my mom cannot recall details like she once did. (more…)