This coming Sunday in the United States anyway is Mother's Day. This is the time when we all remember our moms. On this day people call their mom if she is still alive or at least think of her if she has passed on. Mom's are special at least my memories of Mom are precious and I know know now that she made many a sacrifice for us as me and my 4 siblings grew up.
My mom is the oldest girl of a farm family of 10 kids with her 7 brothers and 2 sisters there was always something to do. Being the 3rd child and the first girl mom learned to cook at an early age out of necessity mostly to keep this large family fed. I remember her mom telling us as we grew up that my mom would stand on the wood box next to the huge wood burning cook stove and help when she was just 4 or 5 years old. Mom learned to cook and cook well making the most out of what was available. When she married dad and started having kids with me coming along 1 year and 3 days after their first wedding anniversary. Mom stayed home with the kids. She continued to cook and take care of our growing family and seems there was always an extra neighborhood kid or two around too.
My memories include coming home from school and mom always had a snack for us. She stayed up with us when we were sick and she made sure every birthday was special. She made cookies for all the cub scout and boy scout meetings and attended football games and chorus concerts and never complained. My mom is a special lady that I am sure God sent for me and my brothers and sisters. I moved away from the home area some 30 years ago and still called often. When we would go home for a visit every year mom would always make sure she baked me some fresh cinnamon rolls and make some of my favorite meals while we would be there.
This will be a first for me this year on Mother's Day. While my mom is still alive the effects of Addison's disease and Alzheimer's disease have taken most of her short term and some long term memory. Recently I was called by my sister telling mom was in very serious condition and they were not sure what would happen. I was in Montana at the time and when I could get a way I drove to Eastern Kansas to see mom.You see while I was in the hospital back in February mom almost died. The diseases were throwing her hormones and everything off and it was decided to put her in a nursing home because dad could not take care of her anymore. I had just seen her in November and talked to her Christmas and New Year.
I walked in her hospital room and the woman I knew as mom was not who I saw. She did not know who I was thinking I was one of her older brothers who have died. I saw as she sat in the chair by her bed in the Hospital in her own world only coming out briefly to make a comment.
Mom was in there somewhere but the diseases hold here captive now. As I left I gave her a hug and put my forehead to hers and for just a moment as I looked into her eyes I once again saw mom for just a moment.
I won't be able to talk to mom this year on Mother's Day. I have been assured that any cards sent will be read and displayed in her room. I will be thinking of mom on Sunday remembering all the love and care she gave me while I grew up. I will always remember coming home time and time again with the smell of something good on the stove or in the oven or both. I thank God that he gave me the Best Mom in the World. I love you Mom! Thank you for being my Mom.!
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