A Reflection
Calvin H. Gray (405geezer@IGG-TX.NET)
Fri, 11 Dec 1998 17:28:23 -0600
Today is my mom's 82nd birthday. I've been thinking about her and what
she has meant to me, and wanted to share a few of my thoughts.
This morning, I visited mom in the nursing home where she and my dad
stay. I took a card and a couple of small gifts. She didn't remember
that today was her birthday, but she was very excited to receive the
gifts. Linda and I usually take my parents out for dinner on Friday but
we won't tonight as mom has been ill and we finally have some cold
weather here in Texas. Instead, we'll take their evening meal to them.
My mom grew up in a very rural area in south Mississippi. Her father
was a farmer and her mother was a school teacher. I don't believe her
parents ever went into debt their entire lives. My grandfather and his
family helped build the house in which my mom and her two sisters and
brother were raised. My grandfather always had a nice car but he always
saved up and paid cash when a new vehicle was needed.
My mom attended college at what is now the University of Southern
Mississippi and was a teacher herself until she and my dad married in
1940. After then, she never held a "paying" job. Instead, she was a
homemaker and community volunteer.
As I looked at her this morning, I remembered all the young people she
helped or encouraged over the years. I remembered the lady who was a
Sunday school teacher, a school volunteer, a PTA officer, a Cub Scout
den mother, who taught kids to swim and who would take me hunting and
fishing when my dad couldn't go, and could shoot a rifle or shotgun
better than most men.
My dad was a farmer and, during the last 14 years of his career, was the
CEO of a 38,000 acre farming operation in the Mississippi Delta. My mom
supported my dad by feeding and entertaining hundreds of visitors that
came from all over the World to Scott, Mississippi, to learn new methods
for growing cotton, rice and soybeans.
When I was growing up, it wasn't unusual to go home and meet a British
Lord or Lady (the British owned the company my dad managed) or some
other famous person. My mom was always a gracious hostess but she never
forgot where she came from, and visitors had to behave themselves or
they were subject to the wrath of the little Methodist lady from south
Mississippi. I still remember the day she almost threw Winthrop
Rockerfellow out of the house for "taking the Lord's name in vain"
during lunch.
When I departed the nursing home this morning, I couldn't help but think
of what a wonderful role model my mom has been throughout her life. She
will never be famous as far as how today's society measures what we call
"fame." But she has been a long term example for scores of young people
who have gone on to be successful in fields of their choosing. Her
"fame" is the life she has led and the lives she has touched. God has
blessed me greatly by giving me such as wonderful mom!
Have a good weekend!
--
Calvin H. Gray
Scoutmaster, Troop 405
Georgetown, Texas
I used to be an Owl (WM-62-2-98 @ Philmont)
mailto:405geezer@igg-tx.net
http://www.troop405.org
Teasips, Be Prepared...Jackie and the Bulldogs will be picking Cotton on
Jan. 1!!!
