My mother turned, uh, well, I suppose for a lady, I’m not supposed to say, but let’s just say its a nice round number. Today is her BIG DAY! I spend time each week with you here in hopes of showing little hints about how to live life well. I talk to you about life lessons. I bring up some issues (and solutions) for the setting in our country, circa 2010. I talk sometimes about how to be a better student or workmate.
I could just introduce you all to my mother. She’s a real champion and example of many of the life lessons I am trying to convey here.
- Patience–Mom waited till I, her youngest child, was busy with grade school before she headed to college. She could have demanded “her own way,” but she wanted to patiently wait for the right moment.
- Determination–Going back to school in your thirties is not easy. I am constantly working with my adult learners to help them have confidence in the path. My mom was determined in her belief that she could help children. And boy, was she right.
- Love–I could go on and on about this, about her love for her family, but that’s obvious. What’s not obvious was how she loved 20-25 little five year olds, year after year, for thirty solid years. “Grown-up stuff” would be going on in the country, in her family, at her school, but my Mom would be a constant loving presence for those little children. After a 15 years or so, she started getting the babies of her former babies, determined to have “Mrs. Creasman” for their children.
- Long-suffering–you have to be willing to “take the hits” if you really plan on making it through life. Not every plan nor every dream will work out. Thirty years is all you need to know about that, but you could also look at her 50 year marriage. Do you think anyone makes it to 50 years of marriage because it was easy?
- Faith–not only has she held firm to a belief about her God that is amazing, she has allowed the principle of faith to guide her. When its not working out well, or tough times come, it takes more than just stubbornness to make it through. It takes a belief in something greater than yourself and the faith that He will see you through.
I could go on. If she is reading (and she usually does), she’s probably embarrassed. She’d tell you that she’s not important or that she really hasn’t done much. And you know, maybe she’s right—she’s done nothing special. She’s only done what every other American used to do and believe in. But since so many of us, particularly those under the age of 50, have abandoned the principles and values of what made America great, then perhaps my mother’s life is indeed amazing.
And an example to any young person who really wants to make a difference in the world.
Happy birthday Mom.