What will your children remember about you? This week's Five Minute Friday prompt is "What Mama Did." All week long Lisa-Jo Baker has featured guest bloggers on her site who have shared their own unique memories of their mothers. Now she's giving writers everywhere a chance to share in the fun. So here's my own five-minute version of "What Mama Did." Of course, my mother is so much more than just this glimpse... she's truly one of the most amazing women I know. What Mama Did...
She fought. When cancer came calling, she donned her boxing gloves and gave it her best right hook, sending it sprawling. She was only 33, with a demanding job as a registered nurse and three kids under 12. But she wasn't about to let the "C" word win.
My seven-year-old self was terrified. Night after night, I lay in my bed, praying my mommy would live.
And live, she did. She trusted God with every fiber of her being. Even when the chemo wasn't working and her beautiful long hair was falling out in clumps, she kept on caring for our family, kept telling people about Jesus, kept living out her faith in her wig for all the world to see.
When I look back on it now, I am speechless. How she managed to be the brave nurse by day and keep a house running with three rambunctious kids and a cop/husband who worked the night shift is still a mystery to me. I never once heard a complaint uttered from her lips. She just quietly persevered, clinging to Jesus every second.
And she made it, with God's help. She lived to tell her grandkids tales of her childhood and stories of how Grandma fought cancer, punched it in the eye, stood in the center of the ring with God at her side...
And won.
Hi Julie. I'm coming over from FMF and I'm glad I could read your post. It's amazing how strong our moms can be and how, most of the time, we don't recognize it until we're moms ourselves. Thanks for sharing your moms strong and beautiful story.
ReplyDeleteYou're so right, Becky. Now that I'm a mom of three, I have a completely different perspective on what my mom endured during her cancer experience. Thanks for stopping by!
DeleteYour mother is an example for all of us. Thanks for sharing her story.
ReplyDeleteThanks for your feedback, Irene! Blessings to you!
DeleteA wonderful testimony to your mom's faith and God's power. As I considered the timeline, it occurred to me that your mom fought this battle three years before we met as fifth graders. I'm so glad that I had the privilege of getting to know your mom as well as the rest of your family. How great to see that to this day you enjoy the blessings of family together. The Lord is good.
ReplyDeleteAmen, Matt! The Lord is so good. My mom has been one of the biggest spiritual influences in my life. God must have known I needed her to be around during my pre-teen and teenage years! We are blessed that our friendship has stood the test of time for over 30 years. :-) Maybe someday our families will get to meet each other, too!
DeleteMy youngest turns 12 tomorrow. She was about to turn seven in February 2008 when I got bladder cancer and had a couple of organs removed in major surgery. My other two kids were 10 and 12 at the time. I really wonder what this "crisis" was like for them at those tender ages, but I don't really know. I had been forced to move out of the house the previous summer and was going through divorce proceedings when the cancer was discovered. My kids didn't get to visit me in the hospital after my surgery; they didn't visit me as much during the recovery period; my dear mother came from Arizona to look after my needs and "got to" be the one to go through the emotional aftermath of the cancer fight with me. Maybe someday I'll get to find out what this was like for my kids. Thank you for sharing your story.
ReplyDeleteOh, Mark, that is so sad... for you and for your kids. Thank God your mom was there to support you and that He spared your life so you can share it with your wonderful bride and soulmate! :-)
Deletebeautiful post. Thanks for sharing her story. what a blessing. stopping in from the Five Minute Friday link up.
ReplyDeleteJessica
http://mybeautifulli.blogspot.com
Love reading a happy ending like this. Woohoo!!!!!
ReplyDelete