Mother's Day Wish

Week of May 13

One of my earliest memories of my Mother is walking with her downtown, she with a tight grip on my hand. She would often say "hussle you duffer." I wonder decades later how did she know then what kind of golfer I would be.
In grade school a teacher was explaining what each pupil's name meant. When she got to me she said, "Malcolm means bald headed monkey." Your laughing. So did my classmates. I was mortified. I ran home after school and confronted my Mother. "Why did you name me Malcolm, my teacher told the class in manes bald headed monkey." Without any hesitation Mom said, "Your teacher is mistaken, it means bald headed eagle." I returned to class and the teacher announced the correction in class. A boy's ego restored.

My first Christmas away in the army I received a care package from Mom containing a small Christmas tree and a stocking with sweets and a swizzel stick. A non drinker herself it was her way of acknowleging my manhood. When I returned home a few years later I made a trip to see a gal I had met overseas.  Mom asked me to promise her I wouldn't get married on that trip and that I would return and finish college. I kept both promises. Looking back I know that girl wasn't right for me and finishing college lead to grad school and eventually a rewarding carreer.

How do you remember your Mom? I don't think I ever told her these memories I have shared with you. I wish I had. She's gone now. If your mom is still living take some time this week to share some fond memories you have of her.

In some ways I think a mother's love for a child might be the closest human example we have giving us an inkling of God's unconditional love for each of us.