Remembering Mom, Honoring A Mother

I remember being 3-4 years old and my mom holding my hand and looking at my small fingers and telling me my fingers were like small French fries. I looked at them trying to make the comparison. Ever since I’ve always looked at small fingers in the same way. Interestingly, we both love fries!
When I was 4, some Friday nights were CHILLER-THRILLER nights. Mom had my three cousins, Elsie-whom I haven’t seen in 48 years, and whose birthday will be tomorrow, Curie, and Patty, along with my brother and me watching the scary-monster movies. We’d have chips or Jiffy popcorn while the ugly creatures played out their scenes. Every time something scary was about to happen, the girls would scream and mom always looked to the side and covered her face. She usually said, “Ooofff.” She still does, and says the same thing at 84! Mind you, back in the very early 60s movies weren’t gross or extremely scary. Most scary scenes consisted of shadows showing what might take place. Nevertheless, it spooked us. One movie I remember was Attack of the 50-foot Woman who I think came from a spaceship.
One day in the second grade, we made ashtrays out of clam shells, I guess for Father’s Day. Mine was reddish. I guess I didn’t finish painting mine because I went home knowing exactly what to do. I took my mom’s red nail polish and applied some. It looked exactly as it should, and no one would know I finished it at home—or so I thought! As soon as mom walked in the door, she asked, “What’s that smell?” I think I had to confess.
One time, we were at a doctor’s office and I had gotten a shot. I was crying a lot. To comfort me, mom told me she’d buy me a cake at Antionette’s which was the restaurant on the ground floor of our building. I said Ok. As we walked on, I stopped crying, but I was surely thinking of that cake! As we were right in front of the store, I pulled on mom. My actions were saying, “Umm, aren’t you forgetting something?” I said, “Where’s my cake?!” She said, “Oh, but since you stopped crying…” I said, “Hey, I’ll start crying right now, if that’s what it’ll take to get my cake!” She said, “Ok, OK” and happily I went for my cake, which was either the large 4-5” deep chocolate Ring Ding, or the three Yankee Doodle cakes. They were worth every penny of the .10 paid, as well as every tear shed on this occasion.
In general, moms are always there for us. I’m sure they could tell us long-forgotten stories we’ve overlooked or no longer remember. This past year saw a lot of moms leave this world due to COVID. Perhaps you lost your mom, your grandma, or an older sister that was like a mom to you. My heart goes out to all of you. Life will never be the same when mom is gone. Treasure those memories that you have held dear to your heart. Cherish the good moments together as well as those of hardship. Maybe you’re still caring for your mom. May God strengthen you on the path you’re on. Honor her as the special person God placed in your life to raise you.
God has always loved His children and cared for us like a hen looking after her chicks (Matthew 23:37).
Let your mom know how much you love her and appreciate her. If you need to forgive, then please do so. It’s God’s one conditional commandment: “Honor your father and your mother that you may live long in the land that the LORD your God is giving you” (Exodus 20;12 NIV).