Getting through the Hard Times with Grace
My memories of childhood are sweet. Pretty ordinary every day living I thought back then.
I remember a time in my late teens, while I contemplated the hardships other families were enduring, thinking my family was relatively happy and secure because we hadn't dealt with any hardships. But that was the glow of childhood innocence coloring my perspective--that, and of course my mother--'Moo'--who was the one to lead the family through hard times with grace.
Moo was the most upbeat and good natured person I knew. As a child what always stood out for me was my mother's good sense of humor as she raised 6 wildly independent children. From my child perspective I thought nothing bad ever happened to our family which made it easy for my mother to remain so upbeat.
Yet the truth is my parents lived through the great depression, WWII, the Polio epidemic-- not to mention my older sister contracting polio at four months old, the car falling on my older brother's head, and my mother's first child dying at birth.
What I learned about getting through hard times with grace was from my mother showing us how to get through the difficulties.
Moo showed us that life is life--and we must rise to meet the challenges every day. When bad things happened, you quickly turned your focus to how to make things better and to putting the hardships behind you--no matter how long the hardships lingered.
She showed us that the proper response to difficulties was to get busy taking action to improve the well-being of all and rectify the situation--no matter how small a step you took one after the other--starting with the basics of everyday living.
She showed us through her actions that when things get tough you gather together and find your way through together. She always found ways to comfort and cheer others up during painful or difficult times.
My mother had 'the gift of helps' , meaning she was always willing to help others in practical ways--cleaning their house, doing their dishes, making them baked custard or bringing them dinner. She showed us the proper way to deal with times of trouble was to reach out and help others with kindness and compassion.
On this Mother's Day, I wish for all of us to learn a thing or two from the mother's who came before us--who showed us how to get through these incredibly trying times with strength, grace, compassion and kindness.
Everyone is watching. Through our actions we can show the next generation we have the strength of character to get through this. What do you want your actions to show the world? How will you rise up to meet this challenge called LIFE?
My mother--Moo, Nosey Rosey, Ready Betty, Dr Mom--Mother
She was our shining light with a loving heart.
See how her soul glistens with golden flames?
She was an angel of light bringing joy and uplift to all around her.
Happy Mother's Day, Moo!
