Mum's the Word

Earth Day is also my Mom's birthday.  It's a bitter-sweet earthly reminder to me of all that my mom embodied.  She would not have called herself an environmentalist, but she did everything an environmentalist would approve of:  recycling everything from cards, to wrapping paper, to cans and plastic containers; being careful of how much water she used - [even when she had an automatic washer, she defaulted to use a wringer washer so she could re-use the water for multiple loads] buying second-hand items which served the purpose just as well as brand-new items; re-doing flower arrangements which she received, as many times as the flowers would survive; turning off lights. She wouldn't throw out her coffee - just kept reheating it and drinking a few more sips in between errands and household chores.  She rode a bicycle, or walked rather than driving a car.  (this last one was a bit of a cop-out since she took many years to get up the courage to learn how to drive, but even after she had her license, she chose to keep walking and biking).  

Much as she was careful in resources, she was generous in giving.  She loved her family and would do big and little things to show them this affection.  Sometimes this had to do with acts of love: freshly washed sheets, with the top sheet pulled back and a small flower on the pillow after a long trip; a tea tray with homemade soup and crackers on the side for the one on the sick bed; a love note tucked into a book you were reading.  Other times it had to do with money - giving to those who were serving overseas; a little 'pin money' to help with groceries.  She didn't spend a lot of money on herself, but took joy in seeing to other people's needs. 

If you could make Mom laugh, it felt very good indeed.  She wasn't one to make jokes (or get jokes) but if something struck her funny bone, she would collapse in laughter and there was nothing to do, but join in the fun.  When she was very ill, she was required to take a certain medicine which she despised.  It tasted horrible but it did the job.  One day I went into the bedroom, and she swallowed the medicine.  Before she did so, she told me that she was taking it because she wanted to make my dad proud.  After she swallowed it, she looked me straight in the eye and said "That was yesterday's dose" and collapsed on the bed laughing.  She laughed for several minutes.  So did I.  As she would say about our kids when they made a fuss and we finally gave in to them, in taking that medicine a day late, she "SCORED AGAIN".  

I think it is appropriate that Earth Day is also my Mom's Birth Day.  She  was very earthy- there was nothing pretentious about her.  She was the salt of the earth. She was not 'earthly-minded'.  Her eyes were set on the heavenly prize.  Her "net worth" may not have had much of a dollar value, but she surely "stored up treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and thieves do not break in and steal".   And she is enjoying that reward now - and I bet every light in heaven is on in celebration.

Happy Birthday, Mom!