For my Mama.

Proverbs 31:31

"Honor her for all that her hands have done, and let her good works bring her praise at the city gates."

2000

First Church of the Nazarene High School Graduation Party

I wanted to be just like her growing up...

I would watch her write notes and be so mesmerized by her penmanship. She had such beautiful handwriting. I remember being around 5-years-old and someone had asked me what I wanted to be like when I grew up and I distantly remember saying, "I want to learn how to write cursive and write it fast." 

I would follow her around the house. It was just her and I at home. She was a stay-at-home mom until I was in the 6th grade. I just carried my toys from room to room.  I just loved being in her presence. 

She always wore perfumed lotion. So, everything in the house smelled like her. All of her clothes and the sheets. I loved that.

She was and still is such a warm spirit. She is so kind, patient and gentle. I don't think I have one memory of her yelling at me. I'm sure she did, but I don't ever remember her doing it. I do remember her chasing me around the house with a hair brush. I'm sure I deserved it. 

I have also had the privilege of seeing my mom fight. Not in a bar or in a boxing ring. But I have seen her fight for her life. And let me make something very clear, she is not a quitter.

In the summer of my 5th grade year, I watched her fade in-and-out of consciousness. She was admitted to the ER with a brain tumor and she fought for her life. She was much more close to death than any one of us wanted to admit. She had "most" of the brain tumor removed and had a miraculous recovery.

When I was about 3 months pregnant with Will, her fight continued. Because the doctor wasn't able to remove all of the brain tumor, it had grown back. She faced a second brain surgery, only this one was a lot more complicated. No one in this state wanted to operate, so we made the trip to LittleRock Arkansas. Her second brain surgery went fine, but complication after complication seemed to arise.

After one of her brain surgeries, Will was somewhere around 18 months at this time, the surgeon came to tell us that she had hemorrhaged during the operation and they didn't know if she was going to make it. They needed to go back in and stop the bleeding. They wheeled her out of the elevator so that my dad and I could see the state that she was in. It was unbearable. I melted.  Of course, my dad said - "Do whatever you need to do."

My dad and I found the chapel and we prayed. I remember my dad saying, "This might be her time." And I said, "NO!!!!" "No it is not her time. I need her too much. I need her to be my babies nana. I need her." And you know what, she made it through.

7-years later, a back surgery and too many brain surgies to count she is still fighting. The road has been long, especially for her. She has had to fight really hard. But once again, she hasn't quit. 

Through the good times and the bad times my mom has given me an amazing example to follow. A woman that at 30-years-old I am still trying to imitate.

Mom, I am so proud of you and I am so thankful to spend another Mother's Day with you. I love you so much!!!!

Confident of His Goodness,

Lela