As we are nearing Christmas I find myself thinking a lot about my Mom. Mom died twelve years ago, but she is ever near to me as my heart. I havent felt her arms around me in over a decade, yet her patented Mommy Hugs are wrapped around my life in every moment. Her laughter and music have long since been silenced in this world, yet the sound of them still lingers in my soul. I miss her deeply, but am confident she sees Christmas every day, face-to-face, and I would never wish her back from such Wonder . . . for in her living, in her faith, in her being, Mom opened my eyes to Christmas at every turn, even as she experiences it now. Moms days were filled with Hope. As an early recipient of a pacemaker at what was then Firmin Desloge Hospital, now St. Louis University Hospital, Moms life was dependent on the strength of her battery, yet she always rested her soul in the Hope of Christ to keep her on the way. Moms living was filled with Peace. Though she had every right to complain about the long hours Dad spent tending to the cows and the land on our dairy farm, Mom found Peace in the connection she had to the ground, to creation and with others in a place and time few others ever had the privilege to share or know. Moms heart was filled with Love. Mom loved as she was Loved, without need of explanation, without cause for apology, and without pretense. Mom loved deeply and well - and those who received of such love knew what it was to be safe, to be at home with her and our family, and the assurance of trust that would never let them go. Moms soul was filled with Joy. There is a heavenly laughter which resounds in the lives of those who are filled with such Joy - and for Mom such laughter filled her singing, her playing of the piano, her sitting with Dad on the front porch or in the car and harmonizing in all manners of music, and in her contagious sense of humor. Though the world gave her great challenges, including Parkinsons for over 16 years, the Joy in Moms soul carried her, and all of us, through every valley and struggle. Moms being was filled with Good News. For over 30 years Mom played the piano and organ at Holy Ghost United Church of Christ in Darmstadt, Illinois - and with fingers which lightly moved over ivory and ebony Mom invited all around to see, to hear, to savor, to delight in the Good News which comes to us in every Season, not just one. Mom held such Good News so close to her heart that, even in dying, Moms eyes beheld a view beyond our vision - and the pain she was feeling was replaced with a smile which named the Splendor she beheld. In her moving from belief in Good News to knowing and being known by Good News in the intimacy of one who is wrapped in His arms, Mom opened my mind and soul just one more time to Him who comes, who heals, who gathers, who saves. All this said, I guess to say, Im missing Mom, is somewhat untrue for, truth be told, she is ever with me in the ways which matters most - and for these things and so many more I am ever grateful. Yet, it is in this time of the year that such memories flood my eyes with unashamed tears in the Grace which connects Mom and me through every age. And, if it is so for a hardened old German like me, how much more is it so for others? For you in your life? So, this day I pray you good memories of those closest to you on the journey. This day I pray you Christmas - 365 days of the year - in the Hope, Peace, Love, Joy and Good News the birthing of Jesus makes new in our lives each day . . . . Thank you, Mom, for such an intimate and powerful gift you continue to give. You keep me looking to the sky to follow a Star, knowing all the while Im being held, as even Mary held Jesus, close and safe against that which would separate. Thank you, God, for such a Mom . . . and thank you, Mom, for your faith in God. Peace on the Advent journey.
Posted on: Tue, 16 Dec 2014 15:49:18 +0000
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