When It’s Monday, It’s Mama
When your Mama is still living at 82 years old, you are blessed.
So, I try to call my Mama early every morning while my Daddy is out on his daily walk. This is “our sacred time” where Mama and I are able to laugh, cry, and just share in general the things on our hearts that day and I count these moments not only precious, but also life changing.
Whatever good there is in me is because I have a mother who sees me through the eyes of God. Like a fine, lengthy marriage, Mama has loved me “for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health until death do us part”. And, I know she always has and always will. “As Only My Mama Can”.
She tells me that the blessed and good times far outweigh the bad, and for that I am grateful because what she thinks about me matters. Deeply. Down in my soul where what truly matters to me lives.
When I was younger, I worried that Mama would not have enough love to spread around to all of her five biological and three “by love” children. Someone had said that within my hearing, and it made me wonder how anyone could possibly love everyone God put into her life as much as she seemed to love me (and my siblings)….but, she can. And she did. And, greater yet, she still does.
And, not only can my Mama love that way, but she does so in such a way that all of her children are blanketed with that love so that no matter where they roam, they always have a bit of “Mama Home” with them.
So, what does a woman do when her Mama lives to be 82 and she has had 58 years to soak up all that unconditional love?
You grow good. You grow well. You learn. You change. You be different.
You be your Mama’s daughter and God’s Girl
My Mama told me recently that “I am so glad that I have lived to be 82, because God knew it would take that long to drop me to my knees, to rid me of my piety, to learn to forgive, open my arms to others, and open my eyes to what is His will for my life…and, that to give it all to Him and to LOVE unconditionally.”
This comes from one of the Godliest women I know. That she is grateful for longevity because it has brought clarity and that clarity boils down to “loving unconditionally” which is a lesson I want to learn from my mother now while she can see her work has had its impact on me. It gives me hope…her personal sharing of struggling all her 82 years that I can still learn and change and grow.
Mama reads her Bible every day…many times, multiple times a day and these passages she shared with me today as her very favorites in order….
Matthew 22:36-40
“Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?” 37 Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.38 This is the first and greatest commandment. 39 And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself. 40 All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”
Matthew 6:9-15
““This, then, is how you should pray:
“‘Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name,
10 your kingdom come,
your will be done,
on earth as it is in heaven.
11 Give us today our daily bread.
12 And forgive us our debts,
as we also have forgiven our debtors.
13 And lead us not into temptation,[a]
but deliver us from the evil one.[b]’
14 For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. 15 But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.
When Your Mama is still living at 82 years old, you soak it up…all of it…squeezing everything you can out of each moment you hear her voice, read her text, hold her hand, and kiss her cheek. You take the time to write it down as I am doing here so you remember it all…as best you can, and you Thank Him. You thank God for every single moment He gives you with your Mama….and you start walking in her footsteps, praying you honor her by your efforts…..
When your Mama is still living at 82 years old, you read your Bible, too. Daily. And, while you may not fully understand fully all you read, you follow your Mama’s example knowing that wisdom will eventually come for you as it does for her.
When your Mama is still living at 82 years old, you say your prayers. Mama and Daddy have always been prayer warriors. Dad has been known to hand-make a “prayer board” just so Mama could write down her prayer requests. Powerful it is to see your Mama’s handwriting listing you and your siblings and other folks as you walk around her home knowing that the names have been covered by her in prayer.
When your Mama is still living at 82 years old, you go to church. Even in the year of the greatest pandemic of your life, you go to church. First, you go via the internet, and then, as you are able, you go in person knowing that your 82-year-old Mama would love that privilege but cannot because she is elderly and at risk. And, when you go, you pray for her health and wellness and further longevity.
When your Mama is still living at 82 years old, you learn to listen rather than talk. I get nervous when I am talking to others and it is my habit to interrupt. I don’t do it on purpose, rather, I get anxious and struggle stopping talking. Mama has taught me the “pause” and I still work on this when I am speaking with her.
When your Mama is still living at 82 years old, you learn to forgive others and yourself. Mama told me recently that another reason she is glad God has kept her around longer is that she has had time to learn that only God is our judge and that He calls us to love. Not only others, but also ourselves. Unconditionally. And, to leave the judging to God.
When Your Mama is still living at 82 years old, you learn to appreciate the little things. Mama shared recently that this pandemic has taught her to be grateful for the little things because often, they become the big things. She shared how precious are the notes and calls she receives from friends and family. She misses physical hugs and is grateful when she gets them. Kisses on her wrinkled cheek make her feel loved and holding hands is a gift. Being able to walk on her “bad knee” even if it is around the inside of her home has encouraged mental wellness. Having her dog, Bogie, climb up onto her lap to nap has filled her heart with tenderness.
When Your Mama is still living at 82 years old, and she is a Mama like my Mama, you learn to hit your knees every night in gratitude that God knew you would need her to live so long because you have lessons to learn only she can teach you.
Mama, I thank God for every one of your 30,073 days and pray fervently that He give you many, many more.
I Love You As Only Your Oldest Daughter Can,
Lesa
“So I sing Hallelujah, You are an Angel in the Shape of My Mama” (Ed Sheeran)
