The Moms in My Life

My Mom was 23 years old when she gave me life. She already had one son, two years older than I. Soon I was followed by another brother, and then, finally, a sister. Mom had four kids before she turned 30, which is probably not that uncommon even now. What seems uncommon was Mom's wisdom. How did she get so smart while still in her twenties.

Mom always knew the right thing to do. Did you scrape your knee? This will help. Did you make an error at shortstop? This will help. Did you disobey Dad's or Mom's instructions? This will hurt...but eventually it will help.

I used to marvel that when Mom drove us kids somewhere (yes, mothers were running taxi services even then), she always knew where to go. Turn left here. Right at this corner. Right into the parking lot. Wow, we're here! Didn't she ever forget where she was going?

As time went by, those directional gifts probably got challenged often. Teenagers don't take directions so easily. And skinned knees would have been a welcome relief to someone dealing with the pains of four adolescents. But Mom kept life moving forward in a good direction.

Today Mom's kids are parents to their own young adult children. We've already passed most of the knee-scraping years. My brothers and sister turned out well. I think Mom is proud. And I'm proud of you, Mom. Way to go.

***

Now I watch the mother of my own children. She has this uncommon wisdom. She always knew the right thing to do as our kids were growing. I learned so much about good parenting from her. Frankly, she was better at it than I. I kept watching her for clues and cues. Turn left here. Right at this corner. I'm still watching. Still learning.

We're not done parenting yet. I thought that road would end when the kids reached the twenties. It didn't. It is different kind of parenting now. It takes a lot more wisdom. The scrapes are bigger. The judgment calls are harder. And through it all, I watch my wife, the mother of my children, moving life forward in a good direction. I'm proud of my kids. Really proud. And I'm proud of you, Donna. Way to go.

***

This weekend at Lakeside, Donna will present the message with me. I hope you'll be there. This will help.

Comments

[Brad Franklin]

Hi Joe.
If this post will be helpful to your readers, by all means re-post it. Thanks
Brad

[Joe Walsh]

Thank you Brad for the Moms article. May I copy and post it on CCNews.org? Blessings for a wonderful day with family. Happy Sons day to you!

[Kirk]

Thanks for sharing you and Donna's love and wisdom with your Lakeside family - and thank you, Mrs. Franklin for Brad.