May 10, 2020
I am blessed with a great mom. When we were kids she worked hard to keep a perfect house. She sewed all my clothes until I was 12. We had dinner on the table every night, that included a meat, a starch and (to my dismay) a vegetable. She taught me by example as well as with words of wisdom. She’s been there to support me through every phase of my life. The most important thing she did for me was teach me about God. She did not just “take me to church”, she was a good example of a loving, faith filled Christian mom. One of my funniest childhood memories of my mom (caused by my sister) happened on the way to church one Sunday. Charla was about 3 years old and was too busy to stop playing every time she needed to “potty”. But somehow she did have time to throw her wet panties under the bathroom sink cabinet and then grab herself a dry pair and put them on before she headed back to play some more. Mom had caught her carrying out this scheme more than once and told her to stop. On this particular Sunday morning, Charla’s “panty plan” caught up to her. In 1968, children didn’t have to be in a car seat. In fact they did not even have to wear a seat belt. We were on our way to Sunday school and mom was driving. Charla was standing on “the bump”, as we called it. It was a raised place on the floor of the car that was in the middle just behind the front seat perfect for a short kid to stand on and gaze out of the huge front windshield. I was lounging comfortably on the back seat in my Sunday best. At one point my lounging became lying down and that’s when I saw it. From my lower vantage point, horizontal on the seat, I could see my little sister’s bare bottom, peaking out from under her short, ruffled dress! Apparently mom had grabbed her and put her in the car while she was in the middle of “the great panty caper”. Of course, I laughed. I still laugh every time I picture it. We were almost to the church when I casually said, “Hey, Mama... Charla’s not wearing any panties.” Quick as a whip, my mother’s arm came over the seat. Her hand went straight to the mark. When she felt what I was seeing she exclaimed, “Oh my God!” and did an immediate U-turn in the middle of TC Jester road. The centrifugal force slid me across the seat and Charla probably would have flown off “the bump” if mom hadn’t still had her hand on Charla's bottom. I don’t remember what happened after that. Charla probably got a good “talking to” and we were surely late to church. And I’m pretty sure Mother never put a kid in the car again without checking them from all angles. This was a funny story told by my mom for many years to come. She chose to make it a comedy, not a drama. She taught me to laugh at life whenever possible. (Who doesn’t love a good laugh?) We have shared many wonderful years together and my favorite memories are, of course, the funny ones! The Bible says in Proverbs 17:22: “A joyful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.” Thanks, Mom, for making life fun and for finding the humor in everyday places, and for all the times we laughed so hard, that tears ran down our faces! Laughter is good for the soul. Happy Mother’s Day to all the moms! Smile and be joyful!
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