Mom

I love to read, always have. I get this from my Mother. I usually find an author I like and read everything by them; James Patterson, Elisabeth Elliot, Nicholas Sparks, Elizabeth Berg, Janet Evanovich, and lately Jodi Picoult. I like her books because they always have a controversial plot that makes you think twice about your reactions to certain situations. It’s always easy to say what you’d do or how you’d feel but until you are standing in that moment of time living that reality there is always more to it than you think. The latest one I read involved an Amish girl. I have been fascinated by these people ever since that story about the man that went on a rampage and killed the five little girls in the Amish school. I don’t know all the details but what stuck out in my mind was the way the Amish reacted, they got a quote from one man: "I don't think there's anybody here that wants to do anything but forgive and not only reach out to those who have suffered a loss in that way but to reach out to the family of the man who committed these acts," he told CNN. After reading this book I am amazed with their way of life again, they literally believe in and live by turning the other cheek. So many of us profess to be Christians but how often do we actually live by the rules that we believe in like they do? I know that I struggle with even the simplest of Christ’s teachings. (I swear there is a point to this blog stay with me here) I love and respect my mom. Yes she can drive me nutty but nobody understands me like she does. When I’m angry and ranting about something she’ll say “well what do you want me to do?” because she knows that I don’t want her to “do” anything I just want her to listen and agree with me about how awful this situation is. She takes care of everything with the house and I mean everything from weeding the bushes to fixing the toilet and always has while still finding time to take care of all of us. I never hesitated in school before volunteering my mom to bake cookies for teacher luncheons, or go on the field trips even the out of town ones. She could always take or pick up from the movies in middle school (she’s been driving carpool for over 20 years!) and somehow she always knew exactly what all of us were up to. I swear she knows when we’re up to trouble before we even plan anything. MY POINT: Over the last couple of years we knew this would be a hard time for my Dad and that he would try and make the best of the situation but I don’t think any of us could have imagined how hard this would be for my Mom. Constantly worrying about Dad and his well being, being Mother and Father at home, not only continuing to take care of the house and kids but now also working an outside job you could say she has a ton on her plate. Oh and did I mention as her lovely children instead of supporting her and thanking her for all she does we are much more likely to judge and point out all the things we think she is doing wrong; you gave one kid this not the other, Connor didn’t have to finish his dinner, my favorite you let Connor off too easy, Connor’s favorite you are too strict. For the sake of keeping things real she does get grouchy with us every once in awhile but while we love and treasure all the lessons that Dad writes down and sends to us I think that Mom is showing us some of the most important ones we’ll ever learn. Lessons like walking the walk instead of just talking the talk. Often we associate Christ with a father figure maybe more so in my family because Dad was the one we went to church with but as I think about it I’ve realized a few things. Here they are: how selfless Mom has to be putting all of our needs before hers, how she loves all of us in spite of our many faults, how she has kept her promise to love and honor for richer or poorer in good times and bad, how she is continuing to turn the other cheek. I’ve learned that we sometimes forget to give credit where credit is due so here’s to Mom thanks for the Christ like example for all of us. Amanda