I've Gone Country A blog about a city girl learning a whole new world

This is my mother when she was just a little girl.  Isn’t she a cutie.

She couldn’t wait to grow up, get married and become a Mother.

She dated a good bit…but she just couldn’t find Mr. Right.  UNTIL….she met…. HIM.

They both fell in love and within months they were married.   What a good looking couple.

They both wanted lots of children.

God gave them four.  This is where I come into the story!

Tommy, Charlotte, Sonya (me) and Debbie.

They were only married seven years when my daddy passed away, so Mom raised us by herself.  She did a great job and I know that my Dad would be so proud of her.

I forgot that all this digital stuff really became popular after she died.  I have a few scanned pictures, but I need to learn how to post them differently.

Meanwhile…I can tell you about her.

She loved God and she showed us how important He was in her life.

I tell you that first, because that is what molded and shaped her into the person I knew and loved.

She told us that after going through hard times, like losing  daddy, you either get bitter or better.

She chose to let God bring out the best in her through the situation.  She ran to God…not away from Him.  Trusting Him through the good times and the bad.

My mama had beautiful blue eyes, and velvety soft skin.

She taught us girls to be feminine, she dressed pretty and liked to wear high heels.  We grew up loving that too.  When I was a little girl I loved the way she would blot her lipstick with a tissue.  Often she would kiss my cheek and leave a lipstick kiss.   She was pretty and her perfume smelled good.

As a child she often woke us up for school with the song -“Rise and Shine, give God the Glory, Glory” .  It still echoes in my head and makes me smile. ( A sprinkle of water was next if you didn’t rise and shine!)

She loved to celebrate our birthday’s, it was our special day.  We didn’t have elaborate parties, but we had friends and neighbors over for homemade cake and Ice cream.

She read us bedtime stories, prayed with us, and tucked us in bed.

She gave us a million kisses and hugs and told us she loved us so many times I couldn’t even count them.  And she meant it… each and every time.

I have fond memories of home cooked meals, that began with prayer, thanking God for providing for us and allowing us to gather together as a family.  There was lots of laughter and conversation at the dinner table.  It was a time for us to share our day.   She was interested in the things that interested us.

She made sure we all did our homework and worked with us if we needed help.

Mom had three dishwashers, me and my two sisters.   We had a lot of fun working in the kitchen with her.  She taught us how to cook and clean.  We learned how to sort, wash, dry, fold and put clothes away.  We all helped with cutting the grass, edging the lawn and trimming the shrubs.  We swept the driveway and sidewalks and took out the trash, although that was mainly Tommy’s job.  We didn’t always like the chores at the time, but we were a family.  We worked together as a family.  It taught us responsibility.

She was a people person, she enjoyed having company. Growing up, our house was the house that everyone wanted to come to.  All our friends loved our mama.  Besides that she made the best sweet tea in the world.

She was talented and creative.  She made  pajamas, clothes, curtains, table cloths, embroidered pillow cases, crocheted purses and afghans!  Just to name a few.  If she wanted a room painted…she painted it.  Since we helped, we learned how to do it too.

She taught us how to change a tire on the car and check the oil.

She taught us manners and expected us to use them.

She took us to church as a family, and taught us God’s Word in our home.

She stayed up at night, preparing things for the next day.

She rose early, fixed breakfast, packed school lunch boxes and got us to school on time.

She was patient and kind with us.  But she also expected us to obey and disciplined us when we didn’t.

She spanked me when she thought I needed it, but not near as much as I deserved!

She took care of me when I was sick, kissed my boo boos, and wiped many tears from my eyes.

She showed us love and respect.

She couldn’t and wouldn’t go to sleep until we were all in for the night.

I could talk to her about anything…well almost…

As a teenager I remember sitting on the edge of her bed when I would get home.  We would laugh and talk about things that most people would find boring.

She encouraged me when I failed and walked with me through difficult times.  She mentored me and helped me become a better person.  When she didn’t approve, she corrected me, but loved me as I found my way.

She had a tender heart.  If we were happy, she was happy for us.  If one of us hurt….she hurt.

We were happy when she was happy and when she hurt….we hurt.

We all grew up, healthy and happy!

One by one we moved out.

It was hard leaving her in that house all by herself.  The home she and daddy had hoped to retire in.  She had devoted her whole life to us, guiding us, training us.  Giving us an awesome childhood.

It was hard for her too.  But she continued to show us where she got her strength, by relying on God to help her make the transitions.

I had the first grandchild.

Garrett was the only one for 10 years.  Needless to say…they were very close.  She thought he hung the moon!

Then my sisters started having children.

Mother loved each and every one of them dearly.  Showing each of them the same kind of love.  She kept the pictures they drew for her.  She saved their sweet voices on the answering machine.  She spent time with them and kissed them every chance she got.

She always looked forward to getting together.

The beach was a special place for her.   This was the last time we were all there together.  I am so glad we were able to spend that time with her.

I treasure this picture!

I couldn’t have asked for a better childhood.  Sure we had hard times and heartaches, every family does.

But we had more good times….than bad ones.

I’m not sure that we fully realize the impact our parents have on us until we are grown.

I miss her everyday, especially on Mothers Day.

As I reflect on her though, I smile, because I have so much to be thankful for.

I DO love my Mama!