A Most Memorable Memorial Day....Both Then & Now

It was Memorial Day in the year 1995.  My little man, two at the time, managed to make it memorable.  When I got him up from his nap, he explained to me, that his throat hurt because he "fwallowed the needle from the other hole."  I begin feverishly looking for pins or needles in his bed linens...to no avail. He adamantly repeats, "I fwallowed the needle!"  So I tried a new approach & asked him to show me the other hole. He points to an empty screw hole from his bed rail. He had apparently backed out a short screw & accidentally swallowed it. Oh Great! Now what?  Off to the ER we went.  Knowing the, shall we say 'dislike for doctors' expressed by my boy, I began to prep him for the experience as if it were a grand adventure to the hospital.  I prompted him to greet everyone who came up to him with a cheerful "Hello! I fwallowed a screw!"  He did wonderfully! He told everyone...including a police officer in the hall. The officer looked at me, & having no defense, I could only smile sheepishly & shrug. What is a mother to do?

After x-rays, we found that his screw had passed through his stomach without damage and entered his intestines. We now had to wait for him to pass the screw for as many days as it may take. We were given instructions on what red flags to watch for & hopefully that would be the end of it.  So for a full week, we examined each & every dirty diaper for this missing screw...a full, long, memorable week!  Finally it appeared! We breathed a sigh of relief, while holding our noses, & life went on.

So, fast forward about 17 years to another memorable Memorial Day.  For this year, marks the first year I can say that I am a Marine Mom. I am mother to one of our nation's finest.  So I have had a brand new vantage point from which to view this special day.  I am both proud & humbled by this new role. I am much more grateful for the sacrifices made by our nation's heroes, because I have a personal investment this time. My boy has chosen to walk this road, to serve our country, and protect her freedoms, no matter the cost.  I fully support him & others like him with my whole heart.

From the time he was born  till this day and on for years to come, God has been growing my boy, preparing him for a great work, equipping him for a special task.  I have no idea what that day will look like, or what that task might be. But I trust God to continue to grow my boy for His kingdom's purpose.  I am so grateful that I could pick up the phone today & hear his voice. Many cannot.  I will be his biggest cheerleader and encourager.  Just as I prepped him for his hospital adventure, I encourage him now, to seek & serve the Lord with all his heart, mind & strength.  I want him to serve people, meet needs & make a difference as a world changer.  So I guess you could say that not so much has changed. Well, one thing HAS changed.  My boy no longer snacks on screws.  These days he munches on bullets!

Mother's Day....The Call

Well, it finally happened. For the first time in all my years of motherhood, I was not with all of my dear children for this sacred holiday called Mother's Day. For the past 21 Mother's Days I have been privileged to see each of my beloved children face to face on this most auspicious of days. But this year, things were different. Something was missing, as I knew it would be...not bad, but different. This morning I beheld three of my sweet children, received all sorts of goodies & treats. I was given a book of poems by my youngest, even a hand-made cup & saucer from my eldest. Lunch was wonderful, cause I didn't have to cook or clean it.  All now treasures in my sentimental heart. But what made it complete was the call. That much anticipated moment when my cell phone lit up, a hint that a call was coming through.  I dropped everything & stared into that screen, waiting...finally the ring sounded. Did I let it ring twice? I don't think so! On the other end of that call was my Marine, my boy, wishing me a Happy Mother's Day. This time he calls from training school. Next year...who knows where he will be? Now I understand & never will I take for granted that I always have my kids gathered under my roof for Mother's Day. I will long to hear from them, all the same. My heart goes out to all those whose children are unable to call, or, God forbid, unwilling. I've shed a tear today for all the birth mothers out there who may not receive a call. As an adoptive mother, I get that. I grieve for those moms who have lost their beloved children too soon.  Never again will I take it for granted.  I'll be reminding all my friends to call their mothers. Because that's the way it should be. You just never know when life will change & you can't go back. By the way, have you called your mama?