May 10, 2008

Mama..The Memory Of You




I know that this day will be a happy one for some, and for others it will bring sadness, as the moments of days gone by are forced to the surface of our memories.

Some of us have wonderful memories of our mothers, causing us to feel, at times a little melancholy, if they are no longer with us, but still happy to realize that we were blessed to have had them. Others, I am aware, were not so blessed, and their memories will only bring pain, and perhaps some anger and resentment, and for that I am so sorry, and my heart goes out to you.

My childhood was not ideal, and was rather deprived when compared with others, but I had the most loving, caring, sweetest woman on earth for a mother. She was humble, but had a way of making everyone else feel that they were the most important person around.

She was an encourager, and she never condemned anyone. She so easily forgave anyone who hurt her, or did her wrong in any way. She always saw the best in everyone, and I can honestly say that I never heard her gossip, or put anyone down, for any reason.

Life for her was not easy--it never was. She received much abuse in her lifetime, but it did not break her, nor cause her to give up on herself, or on life. She had a quiet faith in God, that was just...there. She didn't have to talk about it...you just knew.

Her latter years were filled with much suffering, and although many of you will not understand when I say that much good came out of her suffering, I have to say that it was so. She touched so many lives, without even knowing, and I know of some lives which were changed for the better, because of her.

So on this Mother's Day I want to pay tribute to my own Dear Mother, Sarah Hattie Mae, whose very name as I write it, causes my throat to constrict with the pain of missing her, and my tears to flow in happiness at the remembrance of her, and of all that she was.

Mama, today, yesterday, and forever, the memory of you is a priceless treasure... and you will always be my pretty girl.

"Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies." Proverbs 31:10


The oil painting is "Lost in Thought" by Diji Scales.

12 comments:

overactive-imagination said...

This is a beautiful tribute to your Mother. I lost my mother almost exactly 2 years ago. Thank you for sharing this.
Dawn

k said...

Yes, Jan. That was wonderful.

I wish so very much I could have met her. I believe she was that very rare person who you could just sit close to and feel peace and healing.

Papa Frank said...

Happy Mother's Day, Jan. I am proud to know strong women like yourself and my prayers are for your comforting and happiness today.

GUYK said...

Very nice, Jan. I loved my Mother dearly although at times she could be a very difficult person to love. She was a hard shell Southern Baptist and very set in her ways. And in her last few years she would argue with a fence post..and disagree if it was night time and one told her it was dark outside.

But I knew that wasn't the woman who raised me..we realized that she had the beginnings of Alzheimer's Disease and it had changed her personality.

I owe much of who I am to my Mother. She was an intelligent woman who because of the hardships her family suffered during the Great Depression didn't have the opportunity to even finish high school. But she instilled that need for learning in me and it has done me wel.

rockync said...

I read this with both sadness for your pain and regret that accompanied your Mother's devastating illness and joy for the blessing you had in your Mother and Grandmother and the wonderful stories of them you have shared with us.
I re-read "Mother Did You Dream?" and I realized, as a mother, I know the answer to that question. Of course your mother dreamed and as she matured her dreams probably changed, but in the end I think what she dreamed of is what she already had -- You. And we have also been blessed; because of her we also have you.
So, Happy Mother's Day to Miss Sarah Hattie Mae whose soul soars free in the next life and Happy Mother's Day to Jan who can share Miss Sarah's life and wisdom with us and so enrich our lives.
Peace & Love to You Always.

Jan said...

Dawn..thank you.

I'm sorry for your loss. It seems so much more intense on these special days, I know.

Jan said...

K..yes, she was a very special person, who seemed never to get flustered over anything..so calm, in any situation.

I wish you could have known her, too.

Jan said...

Frank Family..thank you for your kind words,and for your prayers, too! :)

Jan said...

guyk..thanks.

I'm sure that your mom was a great influence in your life, and I know that she would be proud of her boy, right now.

You and Sweet Thing have been through a lot, lately, but you're getting through it.

I'd be willing to bet that your Mother said a lot of prayers for you over the years you were growing into manhood. :)

Jan said...

rockync..the kindness of your words broght tears to my eyes..thank you so much!

Peace and love to you, too, my friend.

Anonymous said...

That's a moving remembrance of your mom, Jan!

She sounds like the greatest of American women.

My mom was here today, so I'm fortunate, although I miss my dad the way you miss your mama.

It's hard sometimes, but we move on while paying tribute.

That strength from suffering, however, is something I know first hand. We're all stronger when our families have those trials.

Hope you had a wonderful day, and God Bless!

Jan said...

Donald..thank you!

I'm glad your mom could be with you today! :)