I Owe My Mother

My mother taught me TO APPRECIATE A JOB WELL DONE. "If you're going to kill each other, do it outside. I just finished cleaning."

My mother taught me RELIGION. "You better pray that comes out of the carpet."

My mother taught me about TIME TRAVEL. "If you don't straighten up, I'm going to knock you into the middle of next week!"

My mother taught me LOGIC. "Because I said so, that's why."

My mother taught me MORE LOGIC. "If you fall out of that swing and break your neck, you're not going to the store with me."

My mother taught me FORESIGHT. "Make sure you wear clean underwear, in case you're in an accident."

My mother taught me IRONY. "Keep crying, and I'll give you something to cry about."

My mother taught me about OSMOSIS. "Shut your mouth and eat your supper."

My mother taught me about CONTORTIONISM. "Will you look at that dirt on the back of your neck!"

My mother taught me about STAMINA. "You'll sit there until all that spinach is gone."

My mother taught me about the WEATHER. "This room of yours looks like a tornado went through it."

My mother taught me about HYPOCRISY. "If I told you once, I've told you a million times. Don't exaggerate!"

My mother taught me the CIRCLE OF LIFE. "I brought you into this world, and I can take you out."

My mother taught me about BEHAVIOR MODIFICATION. "Stop acting like your father."

My mother taught me about ENVY. "There are millions of less fortunate children in this world who don't have wonderful parents like you do."

My mother taught me about ANTICIPATION. "Just wait until we get home!"

My mother taught me about RECEIVING. "You are going to get it when you get home!"

My mother taught me MEDICAL SCIENCE. "If you don't stop crossing your eyes, they are going to freeze that way."

My mother taught me ESP. "Put your sweater on; don't you think I know when you're cold?"

My mother taught me HUMOR. "When that mower cuts off your toes, don't come running to me."

My mother taught me HOW TO BECOME AN ADULT. "If you don't eat your vegetables, you'll never grow up."

My mother taught me GENETICS. "You're just like your father."

My mother taught me about my ROOTS. "Shut that door behind you. Do you think you were born in a barn?"

My mother taught me WISDOM. "When you get to be my age, you'll understand."

And my favorite: My mother taught me about JUSTICE. "One day you'll have kids, and I hope they turn out just like you!"

AUTHOR UNKNOWN

Doris, Billie and Rena

Just a few thoughts for Mother's Day, 2008. The three mothers that I have been closest to are the three in the title. Each one has a special place in my memory or life. Three very different people, but each quite precious.

Mother now resides in the Brethren Retirement Community. She loves company, and Dudley and I go to see her when we get the chance. She took me to church when I was little and still wants to make sure we're going to church on Sundays. Often she says, "Come back soon, and keep looking up". She loves when Grandpa comes to visit her from a couple floors below at BRC. She has aged a lot in the last few years, and has lost interest in some of life's not-so-important things. But, she still has much of her mind and is still a joy to visit and talk with. Thanks, Mother, for being a wonderful mother through the years. Love you.

Mom Collingsworth left us a couple of years ago. She gave me the best gift that I have ever received when she gave me my wife. She was as nice a mother-in-law as anyone could have. She was always welcome in our home, and we were always happy to be in hers. She obviously had a huge part in raising three Godly children, and God only knows the far-reaching effects that will ultimately have for God's kingdom. Loved you.

Last, but not least, I have had to put up with the final woman of the three in my title for twenty-seven years and nine months! I cannot imagine life without her. She has been the perfect match for me. We don't always have the same interests (for example, horses), but we complement each other well, and it has been a Joy to be married to Rena Joy for these many years. She has scared us a couple of times, and I have told her in no uncertain terms that she is not to do that again! I hope to grow old with her, and we are getting there in a hurry! I Love You, Rena Joy.

Happy Mother's Day to all Mothers.