There are so many memories of my mom that I could share but I’d like to remember the values that she had because that has influenced the way I have lived my life.
She loved the Lord and tried to live out her Christian faith openly before those around her. She shared her struggles as well as victories. I remember in Milwaukee when our future was uncertain because my dad lost his job due to the baptism in the Holy Spirit. One day she was praying and the Lord told her NOT to buy extra peanut butter every time she went grocery shopping because he would provide for their needs. She was just amazed how God knew her thoughts because that was exactly what she was thinking of doing. God was real to her. Because of that, it was easy for me to come into a relationship with Jesus myself at a young age.
Mom and Dad put their marriage as a priority. Even when we were all young and living in Brighton, IL, I remember them going away overnight at different times. Sometimes it was just to a motel in the next town. They tried to do that once every quarter (4 times a year). After I had children I saw the importance of that time away as a couple. But I was amazed that they were able to get away consistently even though they had no family living near them, no grandparents to watch us kids. They arranged friends or babysitters to come in. In my own marriage, I’ve tried to keep that pattern – only we have only been able to get away once a year.
Family was always most important to her. I’m thankful that she was a stay at home mom. I always remember her there when I came home from school. In West Allis we would even come home for lunch. One time when I was about fifth grade, I was in school and I had to have a book report project to turn in that afternoon. I’d read a book but hadn’t done anything else. I quickly drew some pictures but I didn’t know what I’d do with them to make them into a “project”. When I was home for lunch, mom dropped everything and helped me find a board, cover it with fabric and attach my pictures to it. I received a special recognition for my project and I felt guilty because it wasn’t really my idea it was my mom’s creativity that saved the day.
Mom kept a diary of my boys when she watched them once a week while I worked when they were small. Here’s an excerpt from Jacob’s book on October 14, 1993: We had a lot of fun today in the leaves! You like to be “buried” in them if they don’t get in your mouth and eyes. Next we played musical chairs and ring around the rosy & the 3 bears. We had to go upstairs and check the beds – no goldilocks today! Caleb likes to imitate Goliath from the Donut man. We got all hyped up about Goliath costumes – using a blue dress – we have to do hats. You really need helmets to look right – and beards! (We have pictures of Caleb & Jacob dressed up in these costumes.)
She was a wonderful mom and grandmother who tried to live her life with God first and marriage and family as her top priorities.
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