~~Pass It On: A Letter about Mom

Back in the “good ole days”, parents worked hard and endured hard times in hopes that their children would have a better life than they did. Often working from sun up to sun down in a field or a factory for little wages, they struggled to make ends meet! How did they do that? They accepted their roles and went about them with an appreciation and understanding of their particular values and the value of their mate. Mom worked all her life – nights at Dennison for years, getting us to school next day. She paid for the food and bills while Dad paid the mortgage and car payment, etc. She worked in addition to making a home for us – she always tried to hide how tired she was.

I believe that both are extremely vital AND important. When I look at my own development, it was my dad who taught me most of my “head” lessons: how to play sports, build and fix things, the value of hard work and the value of a man’s word; how to drive, how and when to fight and the importance of taking care of your family. He SHOWED me what loyalty and courage are all about, but it was my mom who taught me my HEART lessons. I didn’t realize these lessons until I got into my late teens and moved out on my own. Mom showed me the value of kindness. Like Dad, she also showed me, by example, the value of a good days work. She’s the one who showed me how to act around and treat women. She showed me that it was o.k. to have fun and be silly at times. Thanks mom!

The biggest thing that makes me smile when I think of my mom is the family tradition that she started when we were kids- more on this to come. Before I tell you what it was, I need to tell you that EVERYONE in my family has been gifted to sing. We all sang in choirs, glee clubs, bands in America and Europe. My sisters have both recorded CD’s when they were younger and I did my singing locally. When we were in high school, we performed in school talent shows and brought the house down! I’m not telling you this to brag, no, I’m telling you this because we had to inherit that talent from someone and I believe it was from our mom.

Now that you know about the level of talent that our family possesses, I want to tell you about that family tradition. Do you remember earlier in this story that I told you that my mom SHOWED me that it is o.k. to have fun and act silly? WELL, whenever one of us had a birthday, she would sing happy birthday to us in the most “out of tune” rendition that she could. It sounded HORRIBLE, but it was so much fun AND she did it WITH and IN love. HMM! We STILL, as a family, continue that tradition TO THIS DAY! In fact, we all look forward to our birthdays and the caterwauling to come. It ALWAYS brings us joy and a smile. WHEW! Can you say “it’s the little things in life that count”?

I have another WARM memory of my mom. I purposely chose the word WARM, because when my two sisters and I were in grade-school, like a lot of kids, we did not want to get up, in the morning and go to school. She would call us to get up and after the second time, Mom would come up to our bedrooms and put a COLD wash cloth over our faces. MAN! We’d jump up yelling and she’d be standing there, laughing with this mischievous expression on her face. I can STILL see that look fifty years later. It was comical and it was the look of love! After a few minutes of shock and realizing that I wasn’t going to die from asphyxiation, I would look into my mom’s eyes and we would both have a good laugh – together. Good times! Great memories!

Our family had its share of tough times, just like we all have. However, as far as I’m concerned, our cup overflowed. I ask you, how do you view YOUR glass? Half empty or half FULL: Where is your focus?

NEVER GIVE UP!
Love & Peace,
Brother Charles