1. Share a favorite memory of your mother or share a favorite something from your own life as a mother. If you're a mother (or stepmom) tell us how your experience as a mom differs from your own mother's experience.
Let's see... I have a mother; I am a mother; I am a step-mother.
My mother—how I miss her! How I wish that I could pick up some cosmic phone and talk with her. I need her opinion. This only means that God blessed me mightily with a good mom and I can talk directly with Him about those things that I'd like to talk with her about.
My children are two of the the greatest blessings in my life. It is my privilege to be their mother. Most moms I know think this way about their kids.
Being a step-mother has been a challenge from the beginning. Some women do well in the role; alas, I am not one of them.
2. In May we celebrate teachers (May 9) and nurses (May 6) both. Most every family has at least one in their midst, so tell us something (or a few things) you appreciate about the teacher or nurse on your family tree.
My dad always hoped that my sister and I would never become teachers or nurses. I became the teacher; my sister is an amazing maternity nurse. She is stopped constantly by former patients who want to share baby photos and tell stories of motherhood. She is always very gracious.
3. Chicken salad, egg salad, tuna salad...which would you go for if all three were on the menu? On bread or a bed of lettuce? If you answered bread, what kind of bread would make it the perfect sandwich?
A country white loaf...chicken salad, though I really like them all. Depends on my mood which one I would choose.
4. Do you have a desk?
Yes
Is it organized?
Well, on the inside...
If so, share your secret to keeping it that way.
I don't actually use it for anything other than storing stationery and desky things.
If you don't have a desk, where in your home do you take care of family paperwork and business?
Dining room table
Where do you normally sit to blog?
In my easy chair
5. When I was nine years old....
Fourth grade? My teacher's name was Mrs. Mottram whom I adored. One day, we were sitting at the only red light in town when I saw Mrs. Mottram drive by and she was smoking! I was so shocked that I probably gasped. My mother thought my reaction was humorous enough to share with Mrs. Mottram herself at the parent~teacher conference. It must have made Mrs. Mottram feel bad because she quit smoking that year. I sure could be an "ah vah" child. That was what we children used to say when someone was caught doing something naughty.
6. Insert your own random thought here.
Staying busy. Trying to keep things in perspective. One day at a time...
Mary's Daffodils and my favorite prayer.
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Good Morning, Vee. That is a cute story about seeing your teacher smoking! I hope you will have a wonderful Mother's Day this coming weekend. Remembering you in my prayers and I hope you have a nice day today.
ReplyDeleteAhhhh . . . so many tender thoughts of mothering. I am blessed to still have my mother, but I can imagine that one never quite gets over the loss of a mother. What a grace to have had a mother whose advice you still treasure, whose relationship you still long for. What a privilege to be a mother and to pour God's love into your children. May this weekend find you feeling loved and treasured!
ReplyDeleteYou unwittingly did Mrs. Mottram a huge favor!
Your random thought is a good one and I love the quote. Nothing else.
Loved the story you shared about your teacher. Yes, it's tough when you lose your mom. Mine passed away in 2000 and I'd give anything to talk with her, again. One day, I know I'll have that opportunity, again. Have a blessed Mother's Day!
ReplyDeleteI too shall never stop missing my mom and wanting to call her for advice! Your thoughts and memories are so sweet and I love the story about your 4th grade teacher. Love your prayer - one day at a time dear Vee!
ReplyDeleteI bet your teacher was thankful for that story as it pushed her to stop smoking! I bet you were as good a teacher as your sister is a nurse.
ReplyDeleteI love what you said about how you can talk to God regarding the things you would talk to your mom about. That is true but we don't always think about it in that way, do we?
On going thoughts and prayers regarding the steps.
I like the new Hodgepodge format, don't you? Five questions seem so much more doable, and of course I (nearly) always have a random thought in my head. Loved reading your answers today.
ReplyDeleteJust curious ... why, exactly, did your dad not want you or your sister to go into nursing or teaching?
What a funny story about your teacher smoking. You're probably right ... it shamed her into quitting!
He described them as the two worst professions in the world. Really. Really? I can think of at least one that is worse. 😉
DeleteWhen I was in school if you walked by the teachers lounge and a teacher was going in or out, a huge stream of cigarette smoke would billow out. That was when teachers could smoke in their lounge.
ReplyDeleteWhen I was younger, I was close to my mom but could not understand decisions she made in life. As I grew older, it became clearer and clearer what she was going through to make those decisions. Even though they made life more difficult for me (especially my two stepfathers), I came to understand her need for financial security in middle age and as she grew older. I often think of her and wish we could go out for pie and coffee again so I could tell her I finally got it.
ReplyDeleteThat's such a funny memory about your fourth grade teacher. I think I would have had the same reaction if I saw one of my elementary school teachers smoking. Even seeing my 11th grade teacher smoking in the teacher lounge (when teachers could still smoke in between classes in the building) was shocking. It's so true about missing one's mother - no matter what age you were when she died. Almost picked up the phone the other day to call my mom...and then realized she wouldn't be there. She died in August 2015.
ReplyDeleteVery interesting insight! I had a chemistry/physics teacher that would light up during class. He suffered from Rheumatoid Arthritis and I suppose the principle gave him some leeway because of his illness. I miss my mother everyday. She died when she was only 67 years old from a brain tumor--I was 37. Kelly was 37 when she passed away and the anniversary of her death falls on Mother's Day this year. I'm staying in bed with my head under the covers! Hope you have a lovely day with your family, XOXO
ReplyDeleteThat's an option, if you think Kelly would want you to do that. 🌷I think God has something wonderful for you instead.
DeleteMay is a challenge for me as well. My first husband, ex by a little over a year, passed away at age 41 on May 3. My darling John passed away on May 28 last year. This consolidation of loss of spouses is an ironic sorrow, but The Lord helps me onward. He will help you, too, Dear One.
I always enjoy reading your posts, Vee. I'm glad that I still have my mother to love, and my mother-in-law, as well. I treasure the time I can spend with them, although we don't live nearby at all.
ReplyDeleteHugs to you on this May day, and praying for continued perspective.
I had to laugh at your story about seeing the teacher smoking. If she quit because of it you did her a big favor, not naughty at all! Reading about egg salad, even though that wasn't your pick made me want some! Guess what I'm going to have for lunch now?
ReplyDeleteI feel blessed to still have my dear Mum and Dad who are still doing well, despite many difficulties. We celebrate Mothers Day here in the UK in March.
ReplyDeleteThe only teacher I know isn't a teacher yet. My Annie is going to college so she can become a preschool teacher. How funny you and your sister became the two things your dad didn't want you to be lol
ReplyDeleteThe teachers at my school all smoked in the teachers lounge and almost all the adults I grew up around smoked too, so it was more shocking when I met someone that didn't.
Great hodgepodge as always :)
xo,
rue
I enjoyed reading your Hodgepodge. I miss my Mum dreadfully, how I wish I had that cosmic phone too.
ReplyDeleteWell you know how much I too miss my mom. Wouldn't it just be wonderful to get a phone call and talk and talk and talk. It is comforting to know that our conversations aren't over and we will "talk" again. I laughed aloud at seeing your teacher smoking, lol. Just seeing your teacher outside of the classroom was always just kind of weird, but smoking? I too would have gasped. I remember once seeing my teacher (who was a nun) with her habit off dancing around her living room to music. (I used to help them dust the convent!) I was sooo shocked she might as well have been at a dance club..lol. Though the music was more of the Sound of Music theme, lol.
ReplyDeleteEnjoyed reading your answers. Especially enjoyed the story of your teacher smoking!
ReplyDeleteAnother enjoyable to read hodgepodge, Vee. I'm a little late to the party this week. That's interesting that your father did not want you girls to be teachers or nurses. Love the smokin teacher story!
ReplyDeleteWhat fun to read your answers, Vee. Just think...your reaction may have added years to Mrs. Mottram's life! I'm glad that your mom shared that with her.
ReplyDeleteI love your favorite prayer. Thank you for sharing it. xx
Vee, I agree I will always miss my Mama. She was not perfect, but perfect in my eyes. It's interesting your father didn't want his daughters to be a teacher or a nurse. I can't think of these professions without regarding them as selfless and so impactful o
ReplyDeleteOpps, that published before I was finished. What I wanted to say was how I hold those two professions in high regard! ♥
DeleteSeems most of us loved our fourth grade teachers. So funny about the smoking : ) I remember the teacher's lounge was a 'secret place' but every time the door opened smoke billowed out! Happy Mother's Day!
ReplyDeleteI can always count on you to crack me up or make me cry. I thoroughly enjoyed your answers.♥
ReplyDeleteI always enjoy reading the hodgepodge answers. I miss my mother still even though she was 59 when the Lord called her home and I'm much older than that now. It's a bit strange to think of myself as older...if that makes sense. I wanted to be a secretary and work in Washington DC. She nixed that idea really quick! Smart woman, wasn't she? :)
ReplyDeleteAlways like to read your answers!!
ReplyDeleteI liked my fourth grade teacher a lot too, Mrs Merrick.
I always love reading your answers and statements at this link party.
ReplyDeleteOne day at a time....I surely can relate to that. I stay in a state of fear all the time now...with tears and panic just below the surface...I am blessed to have children and grands that keep asking me to "take a break..even for a few hours"...but when I know Bill CAN'T take a break, it is more than hard.
Sorry I'm so late in getting here! The days are just packed! :-) What is Ah Vah?? is that a foreign language? And I laughed at your desk being organized on the inside. Hm.. I suppose I could say that too, since everything is mostly on top. :-) Have a great day, Vee! Hope you're getting sun and warm weather. If not, hop on the nearest jet and come to Wisconsin. It's gorgeous here today!
ReplyDelete🌥💨💦here today...look for me, I'll be flying in stat. Ha! It might have French origins...not sure.
DeleteHi, Vee~
ReplyDeleteI really love these hodge podge questions! All of us have a memory of things like this, but we don't discuss or share them very often. I love hearing your thoughts...I may have to try it! Thank you for sharing, you are an amazing woman!
Hugs,
Barb
Chuckling at you memory of the fourth grade teacher. I can see how a smoking teacher would be shocking at that age. I think you did her a big favor.
ReplyDeleteInteresting about your dad's thoughts on the teaching and nursing professions. Even more interesting that those were the professions you and your sister chose.
Happy Mother's Day to you, Vee.