Not a day go's by when I don't at some point think of you. You have been gone from us physicaly for 21 years but your Spirit is with me always. I remember so many things we did together and I don't have any bad memorys. When I was 4 years old and I can remeber so clearly you sitting in your favorite chair reading your Bible with your red highligter marking every scripture that would pertain to that point in your lfe, and drinking coffee, cream and two scoops of sugar and you would set it down next to you. I thought I was so sneaky as I would take little sips hoping you wouldnt notice. Before long it was gone and you would just get up and make another cup. I still drink it the exact same way today. I remember you being strict but you had your hands full with five kids. I knew when I came home from school and the house had the smell of cleanser and the pressure cooker was going we better be on our best behavior! We didn't even have to ask, it was get your room clean or Dad would be home soon!
I know being the youngest I was very close to you and loved to help you clean and try to make the house as nice as it could be, wanting to make you proud and hoping that I was helping to give you a break. I will never forget the time we were cleaning up the side yard and I picked up a 2x4 and spun around to throw it and creamed you right in the head. I think I was about 8 or 9 and I felt so bad I started to cry and I wasn't the one that was hurt. I can remember you hugging me telling me it was OK.
By the time I was 11 I was the only boy in the between my bothers that didn't care about baseball and started BMX racing. We used to have so much fun! Brenda was already involved and hooked me up with a bike that weighed about 800 pounds. After my 1st race I was hooked! Soon after you and dad were involved big time, and proceeded to do like all the parents involved in the sport. GO BROKE! It was exspensive but you both backed me 150%. You bought a van and we tried to hit every race we could get to on a school night and then some. Being a kid, of course I thought money just magicly came from the bank.We were racing 8 times a week. One year we drove to Oklahoma, Colorado, Nevada and from San Diego to Modesto chasing the number one plate. Now as a parent I know how hard it must have been. But you were as excited as I was. I have the best memories of you and dad during that time.
Well, when I started getting older and in High School BMX fell to the side and I started working for my brother Paul when I was 14. Cars were the new interest. I loved it. But I knew you had some concern about that being possibly my career choice. You pulled me aside for lunch one day and asked me what my plans were for the future. I wanted to go to college and be a millionaire by the time I was 30. Kinda funny now that I think about it. Well I started college but never applied myself because the "Bodyshop" was taking all my time, mothers know. Well I had visions of some day being part of my brothers shop. It wasn't meant to be.
I am now 19 years old and working like crazy. I met this girl named Marianne, friend of a friend, and as God would have it, her mom just wrecked her Honda and it was in our shop. We struck it right off, then a little bummpy but then my soulmate. Marianne loved you guys so much and was there for me. I am so happy she knew you and that you had asked Brenda before you went to meet Jesus if I would marry her. Brenda said I would.
I now have a daughter named Awbrey and she and Marianne are everything. I have made some changes in all of our lives and are in such a better place because of it. Awbrey an I were both just baptised and my whole family has made Jesus the center of our lives. I know that is how you would have wanted it.
I tell stories to Awbrey about you and dad all of the time so she knows about how wonderful you two were. Awbrey has a heart of gold and reminds me of how you were with me. Pure love!
Happy Mothers Day! Love and miss you, but I know will be together again.
2 comments:
Stephen this is absolutely beautiful. Joan was a very special woman and as your Mom I know she was very special because you are so very special. I thank God for placing you in Marianne's life. You two have something very special. To me you are my son and I love you very much. Love, Mom R
It took me a few minutes to figure out why that picture looked so much like Awbrey, who was writing till I read it was a boy writing :) Wow, Stephen-that was beautiful!
I am sure your Mom is smiling down at you with so much love & pride!!
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