Kevin Durant won the NBA MVP. His speech the other night was over 27 minutes long. I heard snippets of it. He thanked every one of his teammates for their commitment to his life and his playing ability. He thanked God in sincerity (not just the “yo’ kind). He also thanked his mom (made her cry). I’m not going to take that long. Ain’t you glad? But I do want to have a triple tribute.
MY MOM
My mom went to be with Jesus in March of 2004 after a real short battle with a rare lung cancer which mostly struck (at the time) woman who were non-smokers. Diagnosed in December. Died in March. We didn’t always see eye-to-eye (what child does?) but I can honestly say if it wasn’t for my mom and my grandfather I’m not sure I would be where I am today. I wasn’t a bad kid so mom didn’t have to spend hours on her knees praying for her wayward son to come home safely. But I know she spent hours praying for me. While my father playacted his faith, mom’s desire was to please the heart of the Father. Thanks mom.
MY MOTHER-IN-LAW
Yes, you read that right. I did not say “out-law.” From the very beginning, there was never a question about being accepted. While she had some quirks (aren’t you glad you have none?), there was never any doubt in my mind she loved me like her own son. If Bob is reading this, I’d say better than her own son just to get his goat. 🙂 While she was sometimes “out there” and joked with us about it, she loved her family deeply. Her love for my two girls knew no bounds, and it was the same for Bob’s daughter and two stepsons. She went home to be with Jesus in 2001. Thanks second mom. But the greatest thing she did was give me
MY WIFE
This June 16th we will be married 41 years. Doesn’t seem like a day over…41 years. 😉 Jo has never been one of those “up front” people, like many pastor’s wives are. She has always chosen to be in the background…letting her husband open his own mouth and make a fool of himself. She picked up the pieces. We have moved to 8 different churches in those years, and if you do the math some of them were not very long ministries. She never once complained (although we both hate the prospect of moving). She stood beside me (not behind), and very often was my sole encourager and believer. She was and is a fantastic mom and mamaw. She is also a wife whose worth is far above rubies (to borrow a phrase). Thanks honey!
What can you tell me about your mom? I hope you will be taking time to say thanks this weekend in some way.
Over at my other blog you can see what God did to me for this Sunday. 😛
This tribute is almost as good as something you would read in a Hallmark (smiles).
Thanks Daniel. Maybe I ought to send it to them and make some $$$$$? 🙂
My wife is an amazing mom and my mother-in-law loves me like the son she never had.
Good to hear on both counts Larry.
Was just with my dear mother this past week. Dementias has taken a toll on her mind so in an hours times she can repeat her self a lot. When I look at her hands I see how she worked three jobs to keep food on the table since Dad drank all his money up. When I look at her feet which she cannot walk on anymore I see the miles she walked for her family for years without a car. He eyes carry tears a lot now for she cannot understand why God does not take her home. She feel useless. Yet she is the friendliest patience in the nursing home the nurses tell me. Always reaching out to comfort others. I took her to Walmart, her favorite place to go. I can still get her out of the car into her wheelchair but getting her back into the car is always a trial. This time I was dropping her and going with her to the concrete when a young man came and helped us. I knew my Mom was so embarrassed but she bore it with a laugh. It is awful to see her condition put her in a state where she must depend on others for the littlest thing. I would not trade my mother for any, she is mine and I love her dearly.
What a great tribute to your mom Betty! I have this sneaking suspicion you get your good heart from her. 🙂
Well gee, I don’t have a mother-in-law, but my Mom has been a blessing to me all of my life. Unfortunately she can’t really say the same about me, because I’ve gotten her into some deep stuff that sons shouldn’t do to their own mothers (No jail time or ugly tattoos thank God.) I do cherish her even though we don’t always agree on things.
Sometimes the rough times make the heart grow fonder. I’m sure she loves you Ed as you do her.
Great tribute to your mom and mother in law as well as your wife. Reminds me of mine. To be loved like a mother and wife loves the way our Father intended it is to one of His most powerful gifts in this life. Thanks for the reminder, Bill.
Glad I could be a reminder Floyd but I suspect she/they know how you feel.
Yeah, Mom always liked you best.. 🙂 kd..Love you Bill.
What do you mean kidding? I wasn’t. 🙂 For those who don’t know…Rob (Bob) is my b-i-l. I love him a lot.
While I can’t say a whole lot about my mom other than I wish we could have had a wonderful mother/daughter relationship and I still love and miss her. I did occasionally see snippets that she was proud of me. My mother-in-law is an amazing woman who has loved me since the day I met her son and to this day loves me as her daughter. I have always looked up to her and I am thankful to have her in my life. There are other women in my life who have treated me as a daughter and I have learned from for them about how I wanted to raise my kids and I am thankful for them also.
It is good you have had other woman invest in you. I know Patty has and always will treat you as her own. You are a blessed woman in that. Thanks for commenting also. 🙂
I miss the first two so much. There are some days that I hear a song, read a verse, or do something/experience something that I wish I could share with them and to know that I can’t just makes my heart ache. That third one 😉 I miss her too and look forward to the next time I can see her and wish I could have made it up this weekend.
I’m sure you do miss them, even though my mom you weren’t exposed to as much as mom’s. As for the latter, she knows your thoughts will be with her and you will probably call. 🙂 She hopes to see you in just over 3 weeks when she goes to Gatlinburg with some other ladies.
I can tell you a lot about my mother like the fact that she raised us 8 children with no compromises and no looking back and now she is wonderful grandmother to 19 children. I still rely on her wisdom in many areas of life. I’m very thankful for her!
What a great testimony Caleb! Easy to see your mother’s influence will go on long past her life time.