In honor of the 10th anniversary of my mother’s death (has it really been that long!), here’s a piece I wrote for Mothers’ Day, 2005. Though hard to tell here, the original poem was in the shape of a pink (her favorite color) dress. She never wore a pair of pants in her entire life, and her unbraided hair reached down to her waist. I still miss her. For those who knew her, what would you add?
Yarn-knitter Baby-maker
Salt and pepper-collector / Go-getter
Potato masher-collector / Accordion-performer
Children-entertainer / Care package-sender
Needlepoint-sewer / Hospitality-offerer
Grandma-perfecter / Braille-endeavorer
Animal-intolerator / Laughter-infector
Home-maker / Hat-crocheter
Pie-server / Idea-getter
Wound-binder
Hard-worker
Africa-longer
Public-speaker
Pioneer-adventurer
Sunday School-leader
Music-lover / Bangs-curler
Puzzle-doer / Pickle-canner
Dress-donner / Movie-nixer
Oyster-eater / Sugar-shunner
Word-repeater / Braid-wearer
Jump rope-tryer / Dune-climber
Husband-server / Hygiene-seeker
Reading-teacher / Chocolate-lover
Necklace-wearer / Eyesight-dimmer
Cake-decorator / Fresh bread-baker
Medicine-dispenser / Dr. Laura-listener
Cello-player / Pillow-sewer / People-pleaser
Dispensary-worker / Des Moines-originator
Piano-plinker / Mill-displayer / School-teacher
Book-reader / Stuffed-toy-creator / Example-doer
In the Pursuit of Peace 
She took care of me when I was a newborn back in 1941 at Henrotin Hospital in Chicago
LikeLike
Prayer Warrior? I wish I’d known her. She sounds like a wonderful woman. I miss my mother, too. We just passed the 11th anniversary of her death in December. Memory Eternal to both our mothers.
LikeLike
What a beautiful tribute. I can see that you have a lot of her in you.
LikeLike
She ate oysters?
Sent from my iPad
>
LikeLike
Smoked oysters
LikeLike
How wonderfully creative. I imagine she would have loved this. Anna
Following Jesus into Life …
>
LikeLike
Wow Karen, I’m impressed! I’m sure your mom was blessed and honored by that tribute. Two thoughts about her came to mind: she loved the King James Bible and, I believe, loved playing Rook, right?
LikeLike
Yes! You are right on the money. Though I often associate those two things more with my dad, my mother definitely had those traits. Yet she was conflicted, I think. She felt that The Living Bible was appropriate for English learners, but disdained it for herself. And Scrabble was her preferred game. When we played Rook, she’d heave a deep sigh if she got a bad hand (which she claimed happened frequently). So if she took the bid, we knew it was a zinger. Dad, on the other hand, would keep a poker face and bid even on a bad hand. Oh the memories . . .
LikeLike