Today would have been my mother’s 91st birthday.

I think of her often, but especially on special days like today. I do miss her presence in my life and wish she could have met the three great grand children she did not get to meet. She met Andrew and would have been pleased to talk baseball with him. She would have laughed at William’s antics and would have complained that we all call him “Wild Bill.” She would have loved dressing Elsie and loving on Hunter.

Although she did not get to spend time with her four great grand children, she did a great job with her sons and grandchildren. Growing up my brother and I always had what we needed. Mom made sure of that. We were never aware of the lack in our family life, even though it was there and pressed on her mind often.

I never recall going to bed hungry or not having clothes to wear to school. She made sure our physical needs were met, often sacrificing to do so. She made sure that we were also fed spiritually. Church was the center of our social lives, and we are both better off because that was the case. Looking back on my growing up years I realize it was not perfect, but it was so far from bad. The positive of my mothers influence far exceeds the negative. Maybe that is how it should be.

We only pass through life once and what ever influence we have needs to be now. Now is the time to take advantage of teaching our children and mentoring them for life. Now is the time to make sure needs, both physical and spiritual, are met.

Of course, my mother treated her grandchildren differently. The role of mentoring her grandchildren fell upon the parents–mom took the role of spoiling. She found great joy in being a grandmother. Such is life, as we get older we have the opportunity to become more generous, more accepting, but not necessarily more loving. The ability to love should be consistent all through life–no matter what.

I loved my mother deeply and definitely miss her, especially today. However, I will be eternally grateful for her influence in my life that directed me to where I am now–a happy husband, a happy father, a happy grandfather, and a happy pastor! (Maybe even one day a happy great grandfather–but no rush on that one).

This is my story…