A Mother’s Love~What joy, what pain, what love?

As the month of Women’s History comes to pass, I remember my mom, Mary. The funny thing is, I don’t have to remember because she is always present. She is present not as the waxing moon in all its phases or some distant adventure in the past. I remember her everyday, even though she is gone.

I remember her in my thoughts of loneliness and times of joy. I remember the yummy yellow turnips she made every Thanksgiving which is now a staple at our Thanksgiving table. A root vegetable, peeled and cut into chunks ,boiled with salt and a piece of smoked turkey wing. Add a bit of black pepper and sugar then mash like mashed potatoes. I remember the times sitting at the table eating Bartlett pears from the can and stuffing the center half with mayonnaise and cheddar cheese mixed together. When I really need her presence, my favorite, be with Mom moment, is sardines, onions, mustard on a cracker.

It is those moments at the table, nourishing the body, feeding the soul, and loving the presence of each other, that I can recreate in the moment. Her sitting next to me and feeling her presence.

I remember how others said her name, Mary. Mary as if it were an expressions of who she was. Her name was said with meaning, with expression, and with love. My mom, Mary. The one who gave what she had to others. She would speak for others that would not speak for themself. She would fight a battle worthy of fighting, even if it were for someone else.

She was Mommy to me. I look at her pictures and still say Mommy. The Mommy that walked me to school on the first day of kindergarten and built the confidence by trusting me and my cousins to make it back home alone. The Mommy that showed delicate care and discipline in the very awkward situation that girls go through when “in love”. A Mommy full of wisdom to raise me up in the way that I should go.

The Mommy that held me accountable to the things I said I would do. Like the high school year of hazing to join a high school sorority- the toilet tissue in the hair and the weird outfits. And the firm no when asked to drive me instead of taking the 2 buses to school.

Mommy, a women of strength- like the hard covering of the yellow turnip. But she was also delicate and seemed like she felt the pain of the world. Like a flower pushing through the hard rocks, she was determined. A mother’s love is never lost on the child. I am my mother’s child and I embrace every moment with gratitude and joy to have known her.

SO, of all the awards and accolades expressed to others during this month of Women’s History- My mom is my reward and I am hers. Thank you Mom for all you did for others. As you rest in the heavens above, may you forever be at peace.

From Momma Jo, to Grandma Callie, to Grandma Catherine, to Mommy Mary, I thank these women for the life they lived, the joy they brought, and the love expressed. I thank them for the worship and prayers prayed that has strengthened this child to stand tall, love others, and love the LORD. I thank them for the peace they showed when times were hard. It is a peace that passes all understanding. And I thank them for being the women they were created to be. For I am better because of them.

To all the other women out there, thank you for being you! Let your light shine!

Always grateful,

Pieces of Me~Women in his-story.

As I reflect on my life during this Month of Women’s History and the trickle down effect through the generations, I realize I am all of the women in my life. Last week, I embraced the oral stories of Momma Jo and the fortitude that has trickled down from her.

Generations not so far removed are Grandma Callie and Grandma Catherine. If still living today, would be 110+ years. Like the flowers that bloom season after season, their spirit for life resonate in my my mind and heart.

My strength along the many grooved paths of life come from the women that have passed on before me.

Grandma Callie, a wife, a mother, who worked as a domestic. A devoted believer of God in heaven and Christ his son. A women who diligently went to her Tuesday lodge meeting. A women who always embraced all of my stubbornness and my talents. Grandma Callie for the welcoming love expressed for my husband by asking him to clip her toenails, to the joy she engulfed of her great grandchildren.

Grandma Callie, the women who would sit on the porch proudly wearing the hat I crocheted, with the window pane stitch, given to her with all the love expected from a small child. Grandma Callie, the women who’s long prayers at Thanksgiving dinner are still missed today. Grandma Callie, the women who, on a domestic income, determined to buy land as a foothold for her children to have ownership in this place we call America. Grandma Callie, a women that has made history in my life and many others.

Grandma Catherine, my paternal grandmother. Her determination to excel at her job working the lines. For her insight to invest, for her insight to own property, rent out to others that needed a place to call home. Grandma Catherine for her show of love to my girls by ensuring they had their Sunday go to church hat and purse. The memories they still hold today. Grandma Catherine for her determined battle through Alzheimer’s and her stubbornness to the end. Grandma Catherine, for her sweet smile that holds a memory in my heart.

These two women have sprinkled their spirit on me like the dandelions that blow in the wind. They have grounded me in perseverance. They have grounded me in God’s truth. They have personified the maskil that has guided me through life. The wisdom forever captured in the seventy eight Psalm that comes from the Lord-” My people, hear my teaching, listen to the words of my mouth. I will open my mouth with a parable; I will teach you lessons from the past- things we have heard and known, things our ancestors have told us. We will not hide them from their descendants; we will tell the next generation the praiseworthy deeds of the Lord, his power, and the wonders he has done.”

May we all press on through the generations and remember the history from whence we come.

Always grateful,

A Grammie, (not the Grammy) for – And the Award Goes to:

Did you know it is Women’s History Month? What started out as a week of recognition is now a month on the international calendar. The theme for 2025 ” Moving Forward Together! Women Educating & Inspiring Generations.”

Over this month I will be highlighting the woman who have impacted my life.

So, this week the award goes to Momma Jo.

My maternal great grandmother- an American Indian of the Cherokee People. I embrace the oral tradition of the stories told of her strength, her fortitude, and her undeniable person-hood in the presence of those that sought to deny her heritage and her people.

I embrace the strength that has trickled down from Momma Jo through the generations of women that have passed on before me- my mother and my grandmother. I walk in the faith of God above that was shared with me in the home by these wonderful women. I embrace the prayers prayed for me that has grounded me in obedience and perseverance.

To all the 18 grandchildren with me today, to the generations beyond, may they also walk in strength and bring their own history. May they be recognized for the good they have and will do in their life. May they know that they matter and can make a difference in this world.

One generation commends your works to another;

they tell of your mighty acts.

They speak of the glorious splendor of your majesty—

and I will meditate on your wonderful works.

Through all of life’s history, may we continue to lift up the Lord, for that is the source of our strength and the grace of forgiveness.

May I never forget the award winning grammie songs sung on my behalf from the woman that went before me and my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

Always grateful,

A Little Moment in Eternity

The Pebbles of Life

We have a new edition to the family! A beautiful baby boy! He is one of many that I have watched from within the womb through images, to watching them grow into adults. The moments cheering from the stand at the football games, track meets, band performances, and soooo much more. The milestones of graduation, driver’s license, first jobs, business dreams, marriages, and children. All the pebbles of life I get to appreciate when I think on the fact that at one time, it was just me in the womb waiting to enter this world..

The Valleys and The Mountains

Over this life, there are also the valleys and the mountains. All the lives that have passed on before me that left an imprint on my mind and sense of being. The wonderful insight they have shared by how they lived their life in the valley. How to overcome illness, financial hardship, bad relationships, grief, and lost love. I have heard it said, it is better to learn from other’s experience rather than learn on your own. But, I have found I learn best from my own failures.

To reach the mountain top, I must dig my feet into the crevices and get a foothold on the challenges ahead. I have stumbled on some uneven ground on the various paths that I thought were going to be an easy stroll. I have experienced twisted ankles, stubbed toes, and enduring hip pain on my quest to walk different trails, figuratively and literally.

The hour glass of time can seem to stream at different speeds. On a very good day, it pours rapidly from top to bottom. On a not so good day, it seems like I can count each grain of sand, that is not a pebble, but crushed rock that highlights my faults and my weakness.

But always in the shadows in this strong voice that reminds me, “Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up”. Galatians 6″9

Life may seem gloomy at times as if it were drip- drip- dripping at a very exhausting pace. Life is always worth living to see what good thing may be ahead. Like a new born waiting to take on the world and being there to witness more joy, more triumphs, some pain, some grief, more love.

So I press on in a new day to live boldly, abundantly, and with the confidence of God’s grace through Christ to appreciate all the moments that remain with me for eternity. And the joy that comes with the announcement- ” For unto us a child is born, unto us a child is given..” Isiah 9:6

Always grateful,

The Sticky Note Resurfaced- Splankna!

I am one to have a thought or hear a word and then write it on a sticky note. I have sticky notes throughout the house.

Today, I reached under my laptop and found a note with the word Splanka. Trying to recall when I captured this odd word was an unresolved memory process so I gave up and started my word search again. The AI Overview that came up first defined Splanka as a Greek word that means bowels or intestines. Yes, I have had a recent test but nothing along the line of my bowels or intestines. So, I am certain that’s not why I have this sticky note.

So, I looked for other definitions. Then the trusty internet gave me more Biblical references- In fact, it referred to words like tenderness and compassion. But then it expanded on the word by adding- “The word is synonymous with the hidden, emotional parts of a person.” Okay, now I am getting closer to why I have this word note.

In ancient Greece Splanka was used figuratively to describe deep emotions, such as anger, lust, compassion, and tenderness. The Greeks believed these emotions originated in the intestines. So, I was led to Philippians 2: 1-4 and Colossians 3:12.

Now, I remember why I have this odd word on a sticky note. It’s about those gut feelings I have when presented with something or someone new. It’s about managing the emotions and not reacting to all the noise in the world. It’s about all the hormones, endorphins, and chemical reactions that sit in the gut and filter out that Fight, Flight, Freeze response. There are times when it may feel like my guts are churning within me but it’s just the body doing what the body does- splanka.

Be it my resurfaced word for today- SPLANKA, or that peace that comes as I seek the Lord Jesus daily, let it be said, Be anxious for nothing. Lest I spill my guts all over the place.

Always grateful,