Sometimes I wish my mom were here. I was nine years old when she passed away but I remember so much about her. She kept a clean house, could cook her butt off, and loved socializing with people. She taught me and my siblings how to keep house and she could be very funny. I remember how I once asked my mother why we boys had to do "women's work" such as washing dishes, laundry, sewing, ironing and cooking. She looked me in my face and said "There's no such thing as men and women's duties. I'm teaching you how to survive so that you will never have to worry about having any woman take care of you". That is a lesson that I will forever cherish.
I know that I got my sense of decorating my house from her because she loved "what- nots", artwork, and unique items. Today, my home is decorated in like manner. I vividly remember the days of polishing door knobs with Brasso, scrubbing garbage cans and scraping wax out of the cracks of wood floors with a butter knife. Also cleaning windows and dusting. I remember how she inspired me to excel in school by complimenting me on my reading habits. When our family was stationed in Germany one winter I read an entire library storybook section from our home encyclopedia set. Her praises towards me still ring through and I still remember her loving smile of appreciation.
Today I am a man with a family. I've made my share of mistakes, but with day I get better and better. I know what it means to have a loving family, true friends and acquaintances.
I used to wonder why God allowed my mother to leave us at such a young age. Perhaps if she had lived I would have stayed with her at home and never joined the military and excelled at my career or in life. The questions concerning her early demise still continue to come but all I know is that her living was not in vain for in her short lifetime she taught me a world of knowledge and for that I will always be grateful.
So in my quiet times I simply say "Thank you, Mom".
Dennis
Amen!
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