When we got off the plane from Central Asia, it was wonderful to be greeted by friends and family who had come to welcome us "home." Just seeing their faces brought a warm sense of comfort. But there was one face that I found myself searching for......my momma. I knew she woudn't be there, as she went home to be with Her Lord almost two years ago. But I scanned the crowd for her anyway. You know the old saying...."Home is where your mom is." I think it's true becuase even though I've been "home" in Nasvhille for several months now, I've still dont' feel quite at home. Maybe it's the cross cultural life we've lived that keeps me from feeling at home, I know that's true for my kids. But for me....I think it's my mom. I find myself wanting to call her or go by and see her. Just this weekend on my birthday, I driving to my step-dad's house for a party being given by him in my honor, and felt this ache in my heart knowing she wouldn't be there. I know that as a mom of 5 kids, it's a big deal to prepare for each ones birthday. Mom's are usually the ones who fret over the perfect cakes, plates, and gifts. As I drove down the lane to her house, I just gave in to the tears, then a little childish smile came across my lips....."I wonder what she would have given me this year?"
She must have heard me! (no, this is not a theology blog, so dont' analyze it!) beause it was only a few hours later that I received some boxes that held many of her belongings. And in it, was her gift! Her gift to me. It wasn't clothes, or money, or Twizzlers -- which she gave me for every special occasion. Her gift to me for my39th birthday was WORDS!! She had filled boxes with copies of all the things both she and my father had written over he coarse of their lives. The corner of my dining room is a now big scattered mess of letters, cards, bulletins, newsletters, magazines, stationery, scraps of paper with tiny thoughts written on them. I'm like a kid who gets a presents and just wildly tears the paper to shreds trying to get to the present. I tore into those boxes and founds words! Words love, life, wisdom, despair, instruction, comfort, and gratitude. So many days I wonder what my mom or my dad would have thought or said about something happening in my life, or the church, or the world. Well, now I'll just read and find out. What treasures I found already! And before my 40th birthday I'm setting a goal to put all the words in a form that's a bit more up-to-date, this blog maybe. So they will be saved and organized and in a form that my kids will read them too! and any of your who knew my amazing parents can share in my joy! and in their WORDS!
