My mother has been deceased for many years, but I am reflecting upon her life as we prepare for Mother's Day this weekend. Her example, love, and influence continue to shape my life and attitudes today.
Mom was born in a small East Tennessee community in 1934, and faced numerous hardships in her life. As a child growing up in the Appalachian mountains during and after the Great Depression, she experienced financial hardship as well as significant losses in her family of origin. Mom was the oldest child in her family, and her mother died when she was 11. Her father remained single for several years following her mother's death, and Mom essentially became a "housewife" helping raise her younger siblings before she was a teenager. (I believe her youngest sister was very young, and went to live with an aunt or another family member.)
Education was important to Mom, and she insisted on continuing school until her high school graduation in addition to her work caring for her siblings. After high school, she completed nursing studies as well. Despite this education, however, she never worked professionally in the nursing field. She met my father, married, and cared for our large family for the rest of her life.
My mother and father lived most of their lives in small Appalachian communities along the Tennessee/North Carolina border. Dad was a few years older than Mom, and they began dating and were married not long after he returned from serving in the U.S. Army near the end of the Korean conflict. We frequently heard the story of their first date while growing up. Apparently,there was a double date planned, with each of them seeing other people. However, Dad was driving and picked Mom up first. As he continued driving along, Mom asked if he was picking up her date and his. Dad responded "Oh, we don't need them" and continued driving. Mom apparently had no objection to this change of plans, and they continued dating and were married less than a year later.
Mom moved with Dad to North Carolina, started a family of their own, and their first son died in infancy. They raised 8 surviving children (I have six sisters and one brother), with Mom working alongside Dad (and us, when we were old enough to help) on the farm. The characteristics that I remember most about Mom were her deep faith, unconditional love for children, and patience. Early memories include hearing her sing along with her gospel records while working around the house, her devotion to each of her children (and later, grandchildren), and love of flowers. She planted flowers each year around the house, and the window sills would be filled with plants she brought indoors during winter months. She also taught us by example the importance of reading Scripture, regularly sitting down with her Bible and reading chapters each day.
Mom & Dad were married 40 years, until his death in February 1995. Mom had experienced health challenges for many years, and one of her prayers was that she would live to see her children grow to adulthood. She died in October 1996, with adult children (my youngest sister was 22, and I was 25 and in seminary at the time.) She was also able to spend time with many of her grandchildren, although one of my enduring regrets is that her death occurred before any of my children were born. With her love for children, it is a significant loss for them that they never had a chance to meet her.
I do share my mother's faith that God will care for us throughout the joys and struggles of life, and into eternity.
Love you, Mom!
