If the late seventies and early eighties seem like a long time ago, that's because it is...and that's how dated my memories of mother Hyatt are.
Still fresh in my mind's eye is the image of her strutting up and down "parson's avenue" to and from the conference headquarters just next door...impeccably dressed in that orange colored uniform, with her quick, short gait that seemed to get her from point A to B in record time; and if u were lucky to encounter her face to face, you would always be gifted with the most heartwarming smile, blended with a pleasant greeting. Then, there were those piercing eyes.....eyes that always appeared larger than they really were, due, in part, to those very thick lenses that she depended on.
On the rare occasion, I had a front row seat to the following scene: There was this vehicle coming down the "Avenue"...moving at a pace that was slower than 10 mph, but faster than zero. I knew that someone had to be driving it, as evidenced by the cringeworthy sound of stripping gears and a burning clutch, but from a distance, I could see no one. But then, hallelujah, as it got closer and closer, I was able to identify the culprit as none other than Mavis Hyatt, mostly hidden from view behind the dash board of that ancient Austin Cambridge with its huge non-powered steering wheel which she valiantly faught with her famous push n pull technique. (You may laugh here. I still think that's funny)
Back then, for a young, single man on his own, good home cooked meals were sometimes few and far between, but, whenever I was around, mother Hyatt always saw to it that I was well fed. The Friday evenings ritual of a fresh fruit salad that I sometimes helped to prepare, was always a special treat and I've never forgotten it. I will always be grateful to this wonderful, endearing woman, who so often embraced and treated me as a son. Certainly, she was one of God's earthly angels.
Beverly, Marlene, Junior, Rose and every other member of this special family....moments like this bring us face to face with the promise of the gospel...the Christian hope that is always " cheering", which not only "buoys us up" but also "points us to a land of rest....where we shall meet the loved of earth, and never part again".
How about we all plan and prepare to be there. I'm certain Mavis Hyatt will be too.
My thoughts and prayers are with you all.