TRIBUTE



Helen Marie

I looked up the meaning of her names.
Helen means - torch, shining one
Marie means - star of the sea

Sidebar: My father's name was Robert.
Robert means - bright fame



Greetings -

TRIBUTE TO MY MOTHER

Today is my mother Helen’s birthday – 10/20/30.  She is with the Lord now – Hallelujah!  She graduated from earth when I was a teen-ager.

I am the youngest of four children.  Briefly, I will express some about my mother before Christ in her life.  I am the product of an extramarital affair.  My father, Bob, was married as was my mother.
But I was never illegitimate because before the foundation of the world, the Lord knew me.  When the Lord was ready, He saved my mother and my father.  They both are now with our Lord.

My brother called Mama a show stopper.  He shared with me that, because of her presence and her outward beauty, when she would step in places, the “show” would stop – thus his name for her, “show stopper.”

I never recall any arrogance being demonstrated by my mother. That gives me even more appreciation for her character.

Before Christ, we all did things of which we are not proud.  My mother is no exception.  The focus of this piece is not about before Christ conduct.  This tribute is primarily a celebration about the love from my mother, and for the life that she lived after she gave her heart to Christ.  I stress, though, that even before then, I was absolutely confident about love from my mother.  I am sure that my siblings believe the same.

Several childhood memories about Mama are stand outs in my heart.  She was, in so many ways, love in action.  For years she was a housewife.  It was a solid pleasure to have the presence of Mama  when I returned home from school.  A flood of gratitude comes to mind for her choice to be home for her children.  Words cannot adequately convey how meaningful it was to have her as a steady constant.

I recollect one day of snowfall when I was in class in elementary school.  My mother entered the classroom and told the teacher that she had come to bring me some soup.  I felt such warmth and joy from that loving gesture.  Years later, when I think of that, tears have come to my eyes.

One evening, when I was a teen-ager, I did not return home when I should have.  I was with a teen-aged boyfriend.  The next thing I knew, Mama came down the street, with determined purpose, to get her daughter!  She humiliated me in front of my friends.  The following day, I was teased about Mama coming out to get me. Today, the memory brings forth appreciation for how she loved and disciplined me.  Another teen-age episode involved me getting injured while on a group bus trip in New York City.  The injury was NOT to the extent that I could not have rode back home on the bus. Mama chose to drive to New York from Washington, D.C. to bring me home.  The memory of that is indeed precious!

Once when in elementary school, I mentioned something about the Devil to my teacher.  I cannot recall the context.  What I do recall is that the teacher rebuked me.  I told Mama.  At this juncture in life, she had received Christ as Lord.  Mama came to the school and politely but firmly told my teacher not to discourage me about God issues (that was the gist of what she expressed).

I am thrilled to know that my mother had inner beauty which far outweighs any outward appearances.  She was a woman who freely gave love.  She generously shared JESUS, and sincerely loved the Lord.

I thank Almighty GOD for the mother that He gave me, and for the many other mothers who are precious jewels in the lives of their children.

Sandra
Wednesday October 20, 2010
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