Wednesday, December 2, 2009

Mother

Bonnie Marie-November 28,1923-January 14,2005
Mother's birthday was November 28th. With all the Christmas events going on I didn't want a post about her to get lost in the midst.... Happy Birthday Mother

Her friends called her Bonnie, her 14 grandchildren and 22 great grandchildren called her Nannie Bonnie. Her children, well we called her Mother. We never called her mommy or mom. From the time we could talk it was always Mother. It was a respect she wanted and got from her children. Mother went through so much in her lifetime. She had 3 sons and 2 daughters. She buried a son that died at 18 months old from a rattle snake bite. She had another son while her husband was on a ship during WWII. Mother moved from her mountain home and family when her husband came home from war and wanted to go to barber school. The only one in the state was in Winston Salem. She not only kept the home up and meals on the table while taking care of 2 boys she worked so her husband could go to school fulltime. They moved back to the mountains so her husband could have his barbershop and she had 2 daughters. She continued to work fulltime while teaching her children how to cook and take care of the home. All of her children grew up and left home able to cook, clean, iron, sew, garden, and everything else that was needed to take care of ones self. Mother was at church every time the doors were open. We never ask if we were going to church, we knew we were. We also knew that the allowance we received on Saturday had to have 10% taken out for tithe before we spent any of it. Mother had to bury one of her daughters after a long bout with melanoma. She also went through a divorce after being married 28 years when divorce was a hush hush subject. She held her head up and went on years later to marry a wonderful man who she had to bury 20 years later from cancer. Mother later battled colon cancer with surgery and strong treatments that made her very weak and ill. She was cancer free for 2 years and found she had liver cancer which the doctors told her was untreatable and she only had 6 months. Mothers words were no one would tell her when she was going to die and lived for almost 2 years. Not one time in anything that came mothers way did I hear her ask why. Not once did I hear her complain or cry that so much heartache had came her way. She remained strong to the very end, making sure she had everything in order and that every family member had something of hers. She got to see a grandson that she hadn't seen since he was a child and he brought his new born son with him. She was very happy and ready to go be with her love ones that were waiting to take her home. She died with a smile on her face and her hand on my cheek as I was telling her the angels were there to take her home and that we would be fine and stay strong for each other. I am so blessed to have had her as a mother. We had our ups and downs and she could really give me a hard time if she didn't like what I was doing or saying but she was always there for me, always ready to forgive me, always ready to forget and go on. She was there for me at the beginning and I am blessed I was there for her at the end. I was blessed I had the strength to talk to her about God and heaven and our loved ones there waiting. I was blessed I was able to see that smile and feel that touch and say I love you one last time and say goodbye. Today I can't feel that touch or see that smile except in my heart but I can say Thank You for being my mother and making me who I am today. I love you.

17 comments:

Anonymous said...

Your Mother was very beautiful Peggy. God is so good to have given you the opportunity to share those last precious minutes with her...to cherish in your heart/mind until you see her again.

Marci said...

What a precious tribute to a wonderful lady. Big hugs to you my friend!!!

Mandie said...

Your mother sounds like a wonderful lady. What a blessing she will be in heaven with her children and family. I pray that you have a wonderful day!

Joanna@BooneDocksWilcox said...

Beautiful tribute Peggy, I'm sure your "Mother" rests in peace.

Tossing Pebbles in the Stream said...

A lovely tribute to your mother. I so admire people who accept life as it unfolds for them. Often they are people of strong religious faith who know what life is about, Living it the best you can in honour of the Creator.

Mary said...

Peggy,

This is an awesome tribute to your mother. She sounds like a very strong lady. She brought you up in the same traditions that we were brought up. Thank you for introducing me to her. You were certainly blessed the day she gave birth to her and you also blessed her near the end of her life.

Love and hugs,
Mary

Anonymous said...

Your mother sounds wonderful! She was born the some year as my mother.

We need more of that kind of "bringing up" in today's world.

You wrote such a nice tribute to her.
Have a great day.
Pam

Perri said...

Peggy, she sounds like a very strong woman with a great love for her family. You were certainly blessed.

Donna L said...

Thank goodness for sweet memories. They help sustain us and keep loved ones alive in our hearts. Wonderful tribute, Peggy.

Betsy Banks Adams said...

What a neat post, Peggy... I can almost say DITTO about my mother in alot of ways. We both were lucky to have been raised by two strong Christian women.

What did you get from your Mom??? You ought to blog about that --since I know it is special. I have my mother's old costume jewelry. It's not worth much--but it is special to me.

Wonderful tribute to your very special mother... I think her daughter Peggy is like her mother.
Hugs,
Betsy

Brenda Eason said...

Peggy this beautiful. I have been having a hard time the past few days. I will be thinking of you.
Love,Brenda

Jerri said...

What a wonderful Mother...you brought tears to my eyes...

Jerri

Carole Burant said...

Oh, sis, such a beautiful and loving tribute to your mom. She sounds like she was a wonderful person and her love for her family meant the world to her. Makes me wish I could have met her. I think you are a lot like your mother. Love you sis. xoxox

Lib said...

Hi Peggy,
How sweet! I miss my Mom so much! I see where you get your Loving kindness!:o)
I'm trying to blog again,hope I can keep up!
Blessins',Lib

Marian, (Miz) said...

Peggy, When your mother looks down, she must be a very proud woman to have raised a daughter who grew to be as loving and thoughtful as you. Your tribute reminds us all that there can never be another woman as special as that woman we call "Mother".

Marian (Miz) said...

Peggy. I'm having trouble with my computer so this may be a double post. If so, I apologize.

I really enjoyed reading your tribute to your Mother. Whenever she looks down on you, I'm sure that she is more than happy to have had you as her daughter......you do her proud. Thank you for letting us see her through your eyes.

Tracy Bruring said...

I am so very glad you were blessed to have this woman as your mother and your example. I am glad for her now but sorry for your loss.