Everyone of us knows how private and timid our mother could be.(except around us)
It was amazing how many times she went up to the alter to step in for one or all of us when we needed it, or she felt we needed prayer.  Her love and concern for us made her overcome that shyness she had around large groups of people.  When Frances had an alter call, Mom never hesitated to go up there for herself or one of.us.  She hardly ever shared who she  asked prayer for with me but grabbed me at times to go up there with her.  I sat next to her in church and watched her pray to herself and sometimes she even prayed herself to sleep and I would have to lightly jab her arm to wake her up.  Don't ever wonder about her whereabouts, she was strong in her faith, no matter what.  I love and miss you, Mom.

I read the moving story that Andrea posted last night.  I sincerely believe that God allows us to receive the unusual and untimely messages that are specific just to us.  When we receive them, they are timed and not unusual; for they are what we needed just then.  These messages occur to remind us that there is another realm in our lives awaiting us, so we can be together again someday with the loved ones that have already went there.  The little supernatural "messages" give us hope and are uplifting.  I, too, miss Mom so very much and find comfort knowing that I am a part of her and knowing that I carry within me so many wonderful memories. 

It's been 5 months since you left us to be with the angels.  Today was a difficult day for me.  I miss you so very, very much.  As I was driving home from an appointment, I reminisced about how close we became in the past 5 years; about the same time I bought my home.  Although I was very tired this evening, I decided to change my clothes and do some weeding on my patio.  As I pulled out the crab grass, I began to cry.  The sadness I felt was so overwhelming.  I kept asking myself "how long will I grieve your loss?"  Surely, you wouldn't want me to feel such sorrow.  I asked God to please take away the sadness, for this is what you would want Him to do.  Just as I was finishing, I stood up to see how much better the patio looked.  With my vision blurred from tears, I wasn't sure what I was glancing at in the corner of the fence.  At first I thought my neighbors had planted a flower.  They were very dark in color so I walked closer to get a better look.  I couldn't believe what I was seeing!  There were 5 Iris' fully bloomed.  I didn't plant them and for the past 5 years, there has never been flowers there.  I began to wonder if Paula planted them.  She told me she was going to give me the Irises that she bought for you (dark purple) but I didn't recall her planting them without my knowledge.  I began to have a warm and fuzzy moment.  Did you send me the flowers?  Are you watching over me?  As I walked back to go in the house, I realized that you are my "sweet angel."  Your last coherent words to me were "come here my sweet angel."  I felt your presence and love.  Tonight, I know I will get a good-night's sleep.

Although I moved away from Lansing in 1990 I came back home to see mom as often as I could and I talked to mom 3-5 days a week on the phone.  On my home visits when we weren't shopping mom and I spent alot of time talking about our love of the Lord and the profound effect he had in our lives.  It is from my dear mother that I learned about faith, waiting on the Lord and how the peace that comes from God is like none other. I learned many other things from mom but these life lessons stand out the most.  It is truly a wonderful gift.  I am so glad that I had the opportunity to tell her that and to thank her during a vist in Febraury.  When I was home 2 days before she passed I am so thankful I had the opportunity to tell her how much I love her and in a very coherent voice she said, I Love You too".  Those were the last words that I ever heard my mother say and that was her final gift to me, which I will cherish forever.  I miss her everyday  and love her so very much.

My Fondest Memories:

Several months after taking mom into my home, as her primary caregiver, we spent many days and hours together.  My mom was a meek and quiet person; a lady of few words.  She was never much of a “social butterfly” and rarely went to functions that involved gathering of people.   After my dad’s passing (1983), she became very dependent on her children; especially, her girls.  Many that knew her would never guess that she was a totally different person when she “hung out” with us.  If she had something on her mind, she didn’t hesitate to say anything!   She was like another sister.  She went and did everything with us.  Even through her late 80’s, she was able to “keep up the pace.”  We talked about the love of garage sales and rummaging through items in thrift shops.  With 7 children, and hard times, she did this most of her adult life.  I have to admit, in my younger years, I was ashamed and embarrassed that most of my clothes were “hand-me-downs.”   She always said “clothes may make a person look good, but it’s what’s in your heart, that makes a person good.”  She said people only see the outer appearance; only God can see the true goodness in His people.   

It took many years for me to understand what she meant.  I am proud to say, that the majority of my clothes still come from thrift shops; not because I can’t afford new ones, but I love to bargain hunt!  These memories are those my mom instilled in me. 

Every waking hour of her time left here with me, we would reminisce about our hard times and how the Lord always watched over us.  She knew her time was coming, and she was ready to go.  Three days before her passing, I was leaving her room, when she said “come, kiss me, my sweet angel.”  I turned around, and walked back to her.  I held her hands tightly and bent over to kiss her forehead, saying “I love you so much, mom; you are my angel too.”  That was our last coherent conversation and the one that will stay with me forever.

As difficult as it was to lose her, I thank God for taking away her fear and replacing it with comfort and peace.

In the early 80's, my sister Paula and I drove my Aunt Grace (mom's sister) and my mom to visit their family in Zanesville, Ohio.  Another aunt (Aunt Tootie) routinely made many trips there, but wasn't going any time soon. She took the scenic route (back roads).  Of course, my  mom and my aunt, immediately thought we were lost when we hopped on the highway to by-pass the small towns.  After a few hours of them constantly telling me the route Aunt Tootie took, I exited and let them lead the way.  Well, when it came to stop to get gas, we bought a few grocery items and hit the road.  My Aunt Grace said "where are you going?  You need to turn here."  My mom was a quiet person so the only comment she made was, "I think we're lost or this doesn't look right."  Through all the frustration, I didn't realize that the driver's side door was not completely shut.  I made a sharp turn-around and the door flew open.  Out went my purse and all its contents.  Dodging traffic, I was able to get a few items, retrieve my wallet, I looked at my sister and said "get the map; we're taking the main highway."   We finally made it to Zanesville.  The return trip home was a breeze. Rreminiscing, I now smile about it.

One time, many years ago, Mom and I stopped by to pick up Aunt Grace to take her with us to Eberhards (for you younger guys) that was a grocery store in the 70's, early 80's.  Grace and Mom finished shopping ahead of me and went out and put their groceries in my car.  They went back to find me as I was coming out.  I headed to my car with Grace and Mom behind and unlocked my car.  In unison, they yelled, "where's our stuff?"  Seeing where we were standing, Grace says "Vicey, I think we put our groceries in someone else's car."  And they had surely done just that and that car was now gone.  I just has to laugh at them, but they just could not stop talking about it from that point on.  You know how that is.

I remember when us girls would all meet for a little get together(Mom included) and we would talk about everything.  Once in a while Mom would throw in some little information about her and Dad and we would say "Mom, we don't need to hear about that", she would just laugh.  Other times we would talk about food and how to do different exercises and she would get right down on the floor and say "I can do that" and she would, too, and this was when she was well into her 80's.  Out in public she liked to ask clerks' opinion about what age they thought she was.  We both knew they would always be way off and she got such a kick out of that.  She stayed a very attractive woman for most of her life.  What a blessing!

One time, down at the old house, Mom got locked out. We tore back the screen on her bedroom window and I managed to get the window raised barely enough to squeeze in if I kept my arms at my sides.  I stood on an up-ended cement block and Granny shoved me in half-way.  I started to thrash around and yell "Mom-stop-stop!--because she had shoved my face up into some plastic bags that she had left lying on her bed. I managed to get free and unlock the front door.  I said "Mom, didn't you hear me yelling?"  She had been laughing.

I remember a time at one of our get togethers with the girls, Jessica, Marisa, and I were sitting back and listening to Granny tell a story to the aunts.  Us 3 girls looked at each other and asked "who is Nick and Sharon? Are they cousins? Do we know them?"  Well come to find out, Granny was talking about her stories.  We laughed.  We then said that one day that would be us in her place.  I will be honored if I can grow to be half the woman my Granny was.  She was strong, and her heart was full of God and full of love.  I will miss her so much.