Tuesday, August 15, 2006

Helen Louise: age 4

I love this picture of my mother! Her hair bow and the way her legs are cross sitting on the chair are so sweet! No Olan Mills photo places here, just a chair out in the yard with some beautiful flowers for a back drop. Don't you sometimes wish it was still that simple with kids today? I think we do way more for our kids than we have to. We buy bigger houses, more stuff and try to compete with neighbors and family. One thing I have noticed today is a lack of participation in things. Are we too busy trying to schedule in obligations that we don't have "time" to schedule family time or church time? The saddest thing to me is when an event is cancelled due to a lack of participation. Like a reunion or a church event. We went to a reunion recently and (I have seen this before) although the turnout was better than the year before, it was still scant. There were pictures there of past reunions in the 1920's-60's and the people that turned out for these family events were numerous! Not so today...why is it that family is THE MOST IMPORTANT thing that God gave us to treasure (relationships!) and we just toss it to the side? Modern things are great, if it were not for this computer I would not be able to share these memories with you from hundreds of miles away. But, just today, think about your next family (church family or your own family) gathering and decide that you will be a part of it. Expect nothing in return except to give of your time. And as my mother used to say: "Holly, life is just too short!"

8 comments:

Davenholl said...

shooooooooot...them thar camera's was just too 'spensive!

TL said...

I love, love, love, love, love, love, love all the pictues you post and stories you tell.

Seeing a photograph makes things that much more intimate. A snapshot into your personal life.

Sorry I've been out of the blogging loop! Expect more comments from me as I catch up on your most excellent blog.

-TL

Cory said...

What a great picture. It's great that you have these.

Val said...

I'm really enjoying reading your blog. I lost my Mom last year. I was 24 then, so I don't pretend to know the pain of losing your Mom at such a young age, but I DO know the pain of losing her *just* as I was beginning to get to know her as an adult.... I was six months pregant when she was diagnosed with cancer and my daughter was 4 months old when she died... I *know* how lucky I am that she was able to meet my daughter, but the overlapping of events was emotionally excrutiating....

And I still feel way too young to be without my Mom.

Thank you for sharing. Even though I am in a slightly different 'club' a lot of this really resonates.

Val

Davenholl said...

Same club, different dates. I am glad you stopped by! I went to check on your blogs (which one should I look at?) and I noticed that your husband is in the Navy (??). Mine was but now we are civies! But back to business:
Your mother could have lived to see your daughter graduate from high school and it still would not have been enough. It would not have been enough for me either. Because our children grow and they change and we want our moms and dads to see that too. It's very hard to let go...my advice would be to integrate your mom into your life and your child's daily. I regret that. I hid away my mother for years because of the pain. Its a good thing God gives us his grace...stop by again!

Val said...

Husband IS in the Navy. He is home right now (love that). You are welcome to look at any of the blogs. The one that deals specifically with the loss of my mom is www.newwaylc.blogspot.com. The one I am writing in most now (and still writing a lot about grief, loss, cancer, etc.) is http://digtoesin.wordpress.com

Thank you again for sharing your journey. And I will be checking in often!

Val

formerteacher said...

I agree with everything you said. Even though I spent a lot of time with my mom, I still regret that it was not enough. Families now adays just don't spend enough time together. When I look back at old pictures, I see the fun everyone had with cousins etc., and just wonder why the future generations didn't keep this up. Are we all really too busy? I think we need to get our priorities straight.
Glad I found your blog. Not many out there that are from motherless daughters.

Davenholl said...

Former: Thanks for stopping by. All these new visitors are encouraging just when I was going to close up shop on this blog!
Onward and upward! Your welcome back...anytime.