Monday, April 20, 2009

Mothers

Well, Mother's Day is coming soon and as always I begin to miss my mom more and more. When I was a young mother, I really didn't like Mother's Day because my expectations were too high. By the end of the day, I was usually in tears because the kids just couldn't be that good... for a whole day, but they were little and my mom told me "this too will  pass". And it did, now on Mother's Day I just enjoy the day and being around the kids, all whom are old enough now to feed themselves, buckle their own seat beat and are completely potty trained...I really wondered if that day would really come. :)

I have a dear sister-in-law who is about to lose her mom. For almost a year she has watched her mom grow weaker and weaker. It is taking a toll on her heart and I am miles away and can't really do as much as I would like for her. So tonight's post is in honor of her and her mother, I know her heart is breaking and I wish that I could tell her that it will be alright but, it won't be for awhile. It is a terrible thing to lose  your mother, it is hard to go on each day without being able to pick up the phone and hear her voice. No one quite understands you like a MOTHER does. But I believe that our mother's who are on the other side, stay close and watch over us.

A MOTHER IS WAITING

JOHN TODD WAS BORN IN RUTLEDGE, VERMONT, INTO A FAMILY OF SEVERAL CHILDREN. THEY LATER MOVED TO THE VILLAGE OF KILLINGSWORTH BACK IN THE EARLY 1880s. THERE, AT A VERY EARLY AGE, BOTH OF JOHN'S PARENTS DIED.

ONE DEAR AND LOVING AUNT SAID SHE WOULD TAKE LITTLE JOHN. THE AUNT SENT A HORSE AND A SERVANT, CAESAR, TO GET JOHN WHO WAS ONLY SIX AT THIS TIME. ON THE WAY BACK, THIS ENDEARING CONVERSATION TOOK PLACE.

JOHN: WILL SHE BE THERE?

CAESAR: OH, YES, SHE'LL BE THERE WAITING FOR YOU.

JOHN: WILL I LIKE LIVING WITH HER?

CAESAR: MY SON, YOU FALL INTO GOOD HANDS.

JOHN: WILL SHE LOVE ME?

CAESAR: AH, SHE HAS A BIG HEART.

JOHN: WILL I HAVE MY OWN ROOM? WILL SHE LET ME HAVE A PUPPY?

CAESAR: SHE'S GOT EVERYTHING ALL SET, SON. I  THINK SHE HAS SOME SURPRISES, JOHN.

JOHN: DO YOU THINK, SHE"LL GO TO BED BEFORE WE GET THERE?

CAESAR: OH NO! SHE'LL BE SURE TO WAIT UP FOR YOU. YOU'LL SEE WHEN WE GET OUR OF THESE WOODS. YOU'LL SEE HER CANDLE IN THE WINDOW.

SURE ENOUGH, AS THEY NEARED THE HOUSE, JOHN SAW A CANDLE IN THE WINDOW AND HIS AUNT STANDING IN THE DOORWAY. AS HE SHYLY APPROACHED THE PORCH, SHE REACHED DOWN, KISSED HIM, AND SAID, "WELCOME HOME!"

JOHN TODD GREW UP IN HIS AUNT'S HOME AND LATER BECAME A GREAT MINISTER. SHE WAS MOTHER TO HIM. SHE GAVE HIM A SECOND HOME.

YEARS LATER HIS AUNT WROTE TO TELL JOHN OF HER OWN IMPENDING DEATH BECAUSE OF HER FAILING HEALTH. SHE WONDERED WHAT WOULD BECOME OF HER.

THIS IS WHAT JOHN TODD WROTE IN REPLY:

My dear Aunt,

Years ago, I left a house of death, not knowing where I was to go, whether anyone cared, whether it was the end of me. The ride was long, but the servant encouraged me. Finally I arrived to your embrace and a new home. I was expected; I felt safe. You did it all for me.

Now it's your turn to go. I'm writing to let you know, someone is waiting up, your room is all ready, the light is on , the door is open, and you're expected!  I know. I once saw God standing in your doorway...long ago!

   ____Excerpted from Moments for Mothers

"I remember my mother's prayers and they have always followed me. They have clung to me all my life."                                                            ___Abraham Lincoln

"God could not be everywhere and therefore he made mothers."     ___Jewish proverb

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