Mom, one of the sweetest words there is! On August 11, 1932; God, in my opinion, made one of his greatest creations and masterpieces! A little, precious and sweet girl named Shirley! Mom lived out her Christianity. She put her words into actions! Shirley grew up and married William. I’ll write about him later. He was also, in my opinion, a great man of God, father and husband. Shirley eventually became my Mom! I’m so very, very, very glad!
I’m one of seven (the perfect number) children. Mom didn’t make you feel like one of seven. Whenever I had a need or problem, she was right there! She really was the nicest Mom to wake up to, and I was sure to have sweet dreams having Mom tuck me in at night! Mom was always ready to help other people! If Mom needed time for herself, she would always wait till all seven of us were comfy and cozy, tucked in bed to begin making breakfast for church or doing her Sunday School lesson. Daytime was for Dad, all us kids and just running a household of nine. I say “just” because that’s how Mom was, she was NEVER FRAZZLED and GRUMPY!
Our house was the one where the whole neighborhood wanted to be because there was always fun and plenty of snacks, thanks to dear, sweet Mom! Need anything? Say, a costume for a party? Mom would; not only, have the materials; she would whip it up for you right then and there . . . like it was a part of her day, never making you feel like you were an inconvenience! Mom could have worked for Disney! You want a themed birthday party? You got it! After a bad, hard day at school, it could be made right by coming home to MOM!
Mom was my best friend! I always had to know where she was and if she was all right health wise! If Mom got the slightest bit sick, I would worry! Mom had it tough when she was sick! Not only did she not feel good, she had me freaking out and wanting to deny that she was sick! Did that make her mad? No! She would tell me that she knew my heart and knew I was scared. Mom was truly a Godly woman! She truly looked at your heart! Mom radiated grace! Mom was a fun Mom! She always said yes to having extra kids around (seven wasn’t enough)! I loved Mom and still do love her. I know I’ll see her again! I CAN’T WAIT! I just know she’s up cooking in the heavenly kitchen. She’s probably helped cook fish for 5,000!
I mentioned earlier, I loved my Mom! To be honest, I loved her a little too much to be healthy! Every time Mom got sick with even the slightest thing, I’d worry and think the worst scenario-death! Now I think death can be an answer for healing (it is the ultimate healing . . . especially for a Christian!). I would get mad at her for being sick. I would yell at her to get up and start working. I wanted to deny she was sick! I really didn’t deserve an AWESOME Mom like her!
In 2015, Mom’s health started failing. We were sure it might be the end (at least I was)! I remember one night, wanting her to come out and watch a movie with us. She wasn’t feeling well and said she couldn’t. I yelled at her to come out and watch the movie. I made a big, terrible scene. They had to call my brother to come over and help calm me down! After that night, I knew I couldn’t do that again! I really loved Mom, and I didn’t want to make things harder for her or the rest of my family! I was completely miserable! All my life, my worst fear was the death of my parents! How would I ever be happy again!
I will never forget that Saturday; I was feeling like any moment I could just blow up and deny what was happening! I didn’t want to make trouble for Mom and the family! I went to the car. That’s where I went when I wanted to blow up in private! I remember thinking, “God I really need you to heal Mom!”. But even if Mom got better this time, some day she would die! What would I do then? My life would be over! No more happiness, joking and laughter! I remember thinking many times, “God if you love me, and you say that you won’t give us more than we can handle, please let me die before Mom!”.
Well, I was right. We needed a remarkable healing! However, it wasn’t Mom who needed the healing (even though she really did!). It was me! I went to take one of my marathon baths (baths for me were a several hours event!). I remember getting in the tub and God saying, “Sing, Cate.” I said, “God, there’s no way I’m going to sing today! I’m in a deep depression; my worst fear is coming true. Mom is dying!” I remember, God kept saying, “Sing, Cate!” I said, “ok God, I’ll try to sing and show you I can’t sing today.” I have to be honest, I remember thinking, “God if I show you I can’t sing, will you please leave me alone?”.
Guess what? God was right! I started singing the song “More Love, More Power.” I started singing it over and over again! I remember thinking, “God, you’re too funny!”. I was actually starting to smile and get happy! I’m not usually one to say, “God woke me up and talked to me.” but, God was speaking to me, Cate! I couldn’t believe it! God told me I was the one who needed the miracle! He told me that he would be there with me when Mom died! He told me that he would always be with me!! It was truly amazing! I wasn’t just hearing it; I was actually feeling ME changing on the inside! I called downstairs for my sister to come up, and I told her a miracle was taking place! I came down from my bath a changed person . . . PRAISE GOD!!!!!
Mom did recover! I believe in being totally honest- I still worried about Mom’s death! Could God really get me through her death? I’m sorry to admit I even thought this, “Is God enough?”. I thought God wouldn’t be enough. Was my miracle really real? Would it be when Mom’s death actually comes? I’m happy to report an astounding “YES” to all my questions!
The following February, Mom, my three sisters and I were able to take the trip of a lifetime! We took two weeks and drove from Ohio (home) to California; stopping at points of interest along the way . . . Mount Rushmore, Grand Canyon, Las Vegas and many more! We had an AWESOME time! Mom was feeling good! We enjoyed being together. (The trip was TOTALLY AWESOME, but I’ll talk about it in a different entry!).
We came home and Mom’s health began to decline! Again, she was still as sweet as ever, never complaining or grumpy! In fact, she had her own phone ministry to a group of women! She was always happy and pleasant! She would always say she felt fine and better than yesterday! She was very stoic! Christmas came, and she was still declining! I will never forget, it was on a Tuesday, my family called me at work to tell me that they decided to put Mom in Hospice! That devastated me; I knew it was the beginning of the end!
BUT, a new peace was part of me now! God was doing it! I didn’t get mad! I was able to sit with Mom and not act like ‘one flew over the coo coo’s nest!’ I took it upon myself to watch her like a hawk to make sure she was still breathing! People would come to see her and cry because she wasn’t our lively, up beat Shirley! She was, however, still AWESOME and HAPPY! We brought in a hospital bed for her. Up till then, I wasn’t able to help with her physical care, being physically disabled myself. However, when she was in the hospital bed, her feet were raised to the perfect level. I could rub her feet! That meant the world to me!
On Christmas Eve, 2016, Mom, was different. She told us that she felt like she was in another dimension. We knew the end was in sight! We called the family together. We went around, one by one, telling Mom what she meant to us. That took up until lunchtime. My sister gave her a pain pill. The last three words she said to us were, “TRUST AND OBEY!”. Around 1:00 pm, she fell asleep and became unconscious. There I was, in the midst of my family, watching Mom die, AND I wasn’t freaking out, having to be taken out of the room or crying hysterically (believe me I was crying). God was there in the room with us! His peace blanketed me and the entire family!
Around 5:00 pm I needed a little break. I still wasn’t freaking out or anything, I just needed a break and a little fresh air. My brother and sister-in-law took me for a ride. We came back home. We have a family tradition of reading the Christmas story and singing Christmas Carols on Christmas Eve. My brother read the Christmas story, and we were singing “Silent Night”; as we were singing the line “sleep in heavenly peace”, Mom took her last breath.
It took hours for Hospice to come (I’m going into great detail because I want you to see what a miraculous miracle the entire day was for me) and close out her case and pronounce her dead and for the funeral home to come get her body. God was still there with me! I could be there in the room with her, knowing she was gone, and, still, God’s peace was alive and moving throughout the room.
I remember waking up the next morning, Christmas morning, thinking, “This will be the worst Christmas ever!”. But instead, I woke up thinking, “This is the best Christmas present Mom has ever gotten in her entire life! Mom is face to face with the King of Kings and Lord of Lords that we’ve been singing about this whole month!”. The miracle continues! I am looking forward to spending eternity with the King of Kings and Lord of Lords, Dad, Mom and all of you!
This blog entry is dedicated in honor and loving memory of my Mom!
Comments
34 responses to “Mom Sweet Mom”
This poignant description of your Mom serves as a welcome reminder of her kind and gentle spirit, her giving attitude, and her deep concern for others. She set an example that we should all seek to emulate. Those parting words, “trust and obey,” were a gift to your family—and now, through you, she speaks that wisdom to your readers.
Steve,
It’s great to hear from you!!!! Thanks for your encouraging comments!!!!
Cate!!! My beautiful cousin!!!! Wow what truly beautiful words you have written so open and full of honesty and love. God truly is great and awesome in His power. Love you and GO GET EM GIRLFRIEND!!!!
Gail,
My dear, precious and sweet cousin!!!!
Thank you so much for your encouraging, loving and supportive comments!!!!! I LOVE YOU SO VERY, VERY, VERY MUCH!!!!!
Cate, I love your honesty & your great big heart. I thank the Lord for the way you’re teaching all of us how to be vulnerable! So glad for your beautiful writing.
Renee,
I LOVE YOU SO VERY, VERY, VERY MUCH!!!! Thanks for your encouraging and supportive comments!!!!!
Oh Cate, your love for your precious mom shines through with every word you shared! I’m sure she is so beyond proud of you.
Nothing can prepare us for losing our mom…but thankfully we have Jesus to get us through♥️
love you!
Lily,
Thanks for your TOTALLY AWESOME, LOVING AND SWEET COMMENTS!!!! I LOVE YOU SO VERY, VERY VERY MUCH!!!!
Cate what an amazing testimony of how God prepared you for the day your Mom would leave you to be with the Lord. This brought me to tears! Your Mom truly was an amazing woman and I am lucky to have had her as an Aunt.
Andy,
Thanks for your encouraging and loving comments!!!!! I LOVE YOU SO VERY, VERY, VERY MUCH!!!! I’M SO GLAD YOU’RE MY COUSIN!!!!
Death is a really hard thing to go through but you and your family experienced the peace that only God can give at such a hard time. The assurance that we will be together again is a big comfort. I’m glad God was there for you Cate!
Donna,
YOU’RE SO PRECIOUS AND DEAR!!!! THANKS FOR YOUR SWEET COMMENTS!!!! THANKS FOR ALL THE LOVE AND SUPPORT YOU HAVE GIVEN ME!!!! I LOVE YOU SO VERY, VERY, VERY MUCH!!!!
Cate thanks for sharing such sweet memories of Grammy! Absolutely loved this!
Kasey,
GOD HAS TOTALLY BLESSED ME WITH YOU FOR A NIECE!!!!! I LOVE YOU SO VERY, VERY VERY MUCH!!!! THANKS for your encouraging comment!!!!
Catey bug I love you so much thank you for being so special as you are. I have been crying my heart out for you and your family and you are amazing and beautiful Thank you God that I consider Cateybug my True sister in Jesus Love you sister!!✌️🇺🇲
Thanks for your encouraging sweet comments!!!! I LOVE YOU SO MUCH Too!!!! I value our friendship!!!!
Oh Cate, what an awesome and uplifting story about your precious mother! What a testimony she was, as are you, to an abiding faith in God! Thank you dearest friend!
Thanks MY SWEET BETH!!!! I LOVE YOU SO VERY, VERY, VERY MUCH!!!!
What a beautiful way that God showed you the peace and love in your heart to stay with you forever. A beautiful miracle of Christmas.
Thanks ❤️
Cate, This brought back the memory of you sharing this with us in Sunday School. God continues to receive the glory He alone is worthy to receive every time you tell of this amazing miracle. It is a powerful testimony of the love God has for each of us.
Paul,
Thanks for your encouraging and kind words of support!!!! Thanks to you and Pam for all the love, prayers and support you have given me over the last 2 and 1/2 years!!!!
What a great story Cate. Thanks for sharing.
Thanks!!!!
Cate, sitting here with tears running down my cheeks. What a beautiful post and precious miracle in your life. A God miracle for you and a gift to your mother and family that peace settled on each of you and and each was able to process the time in their own way. Blessings
Janet,
Thanks, I LOVE YOU SO VERY,VERY, VERY MUCH!!!! You’re so supportive and loving!!!! You’re AWESOME!!!! GOD CREATED A WONDERFUL MASTERPIECE WHEN HE CREATED YOU!!!!
Cathy such a beautiful touching story of your wonderful mom and family. I’m remembering all the special times I got to spend at your house and the love I felt. You are precious and have been touched by God. Thank you!
Thank you for the beautiful and lovely comments!!!! I LOVE YOU SO VERY, VERY,VERY MUCH!!!! You have been a true friend in every way!!!!
Cate, I remember when God gave you your miracle, and it was amazing to rejoice with you! God has His hand on you my friend!!
Diane,
Thanks so much for the loving words!!!! YOU’RE A VERY DEAR AND PRECIOUS FRIEND!!!!
Cate , This is so beautiful. It brought tears to my eyes. You truly captured the spirit of your Mom, and we all felt the same way about her. She was a true miracle!
Aunt Anne,
THANKS SO MUCH FOR ALL YOUR LOVE AND ENCOURAGEMENT!!!! I’M SO GLAD YOU’RE MY AUNT!!!! I LOVE YOU VERY, VERY, VERY MUCH!!!!
How beautiful, Cate! God was truly working a miracle for you and your entire family!
Thanks for your lovely comment!!!!