Telling our Mother’s story could be filled with childhood memories. Like many children we could say, “My Mom is the best mom in the whole world.” And in our eyes it would be true. We could say, “My Mom makes anything feel better.” And this would be true. We could say, “My Mom is the best cook in the whole world.” And this too, in its time, would be true.
Today though, we will not tell you about our Mom the mother but about our Mom the wife. Our parents were high school sweethearts for several years and married soon after graduation. This July they would’ve been married forty-nine years but the Lord gave them only forty-two good years accompanied with the usual ups and downs.
During their thirty-sixth year, after knowing our Dad’s health was not quite right, the diagnosis finally came as Alzheimer and Olivopontocerebellar atrophy (another brain disease.) We both were living far away at the time and were not there to comfort them when they phoned each of us this news.
For the next six years, Mom faithfully and lovingly cared for Dad and was his champion. He stayed at home as long as possible. Eventually Dad needed care that Mom could not easily give and keep her health up at the same time. Dad spent the last several years in a nursing home a few blocks from home and his care was very good. Mom visited Dad everyday and was still his champion to the very end.
It has been said that children learn to love by seeing how their parents love each other. Mom, you gave us a wonderful lesson about love by your faithfulness and love to your husband and our Dad. Thank you.
Happy Mother’s Day!
Love Teresa and Terry.
I wrote this 300 word-limit (MS Word says it is at 298) story as a contribution to a special Mother's Day section to be inserted in the San Angelo Standard Times newspaper on May 2nd. For reasons unknown the story did not make it into the section. I am guessing it was an oversight or they had too many contributions to publish them all. So I post it here for our Mom to see. We do love you Mom!
3 comments:
That's cool Dad
To TK and Terry,
Your story is beautiful. Tommy went away way to soon, however, he had the greatest care anyone could want. He received much love and youse are great lovers of men.
I will always be grateful for the love and care your mom has shown me over the years. I know I can always turn to her if I need her and that means a lot. I hold her in such high esteem and consider her one of the finest women I have ever met. I especially have loved the summers in San Angelo when I have been able to spend so much time with her. Florrie is like my 'other mother' and I am so glad she is in my life. Your story reminded me of that and I thank you.
Marcia
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