My Mom

My mother grew up in East Tennessee, the only child of a hard-working, tobacco-chewing farmer and a God-fearing housewife who always wore a dress. Mom--known as "Clara Mae" to her schoolmates and still to those who knew her long before I was born--always wanted siblings. I asked her once why my grandparents didn't have more children, and she couldn't remember the answer.

Mom did give me three siblings, however, and I am very grateful for all of them. And for her, of course. Mom worked very hard to help our father provide for our family. She had a long commute to work, something people found quite shocking back when I was growing up. Now, looking back, I think she probably treasured that time in the car by herself. I certainly would if I had four children and a husband waiting for me at home every night. ;o) Not that she didn't look forward to seeing us--she would do just about anything for any of us --but some quiet time going to and from work was probably a nice break.

Mom taught us the importance of family and of keeping in touch with extended family. She regularly took us to see her parents as well as her aunts and uncles and cousins. Mom cheered us on in all of our endeavors--from scouting to sports and beyond. She sold enough Girl Scout Cookies for me to go to camp for only $5. She went over spelling words with us before Friday-morning tests and made sure we had yearbook, field-trip and class-ring money. She liked us to wear colorful clothes in our annual photos.

Mom taught us the value of a dollar. She is the saver in the family. On the weekends, she would take us to Kroger to turn in our glass Coke and Pepsi bottles--then she would let us spend the money at Hills or Eckerd Drugs. She taught us to clip and to use coupons back when couponing wasn't cool. She never met a bargain she didn't like.

Mom worked hard as a medical transcriptionist. And, as a fast typist and an exceptional speller, she was good at her job. She is no longer working, but watching her get up and go to work each morning when she must have been exhausted taught us the importance of a good work ethic.

In our family, there was never any question that we would go to college. I am sure the day my little brother graduated from university was an especially happy one for Mom because it meant that all four of her children had bachelor's degrees. One of my sisters now has a master's, and I know my mother is proud. Mom was valedictorian of her high school class, and she instilled in us the importance of staying in school and studying hard.

I know my mother has taught me more about life and love than I even realize. She is in the winter season of life now, and I hope she realizes how very much she is loved. I am thinking of my mother tonight with love and prayers, and I am looking forward to seeing her very soon!

Happy Mother's Day!