Of course, Mama loved me. I didn’t doubt that, but she also made me tough to make it in life.
I remember the day I smashed my thumb in the car door. It was a beautiful summer day, and I was on school vacation from second grade.
Mama was an Avon Manager for 13 counties and had lots of sales ladies she appointed, trained, and helped be successful. That meant she traveled every day meeting with them.
I went with her sometimes when I wasn’t in school and had a lot of fun and learned about work, reading maps, and holding sales meetings.
The day I smashed my thumb, we were getting in the car going to work. It hurt so badly I thought I would faint. In fact, to this day the nail is flat and that thumb is flatter than the other one!
What did she do? She wrapped a dish cloth with ice around my thumb and off we went to meet the responsibilities she had. I didn’t think it was strange or mean. She didn’t tell me stay home and take care of your hurt thumb or coddle me, take me to the doctor, or ignore me. She fixed it best she could, and we went on with her duties. We had work to do.
There have been many times in life I have had to buck up and get jobs done under very difficult circumstances. It’s what you do.
Because she was out of town working, she wasn’t able to take me places to meetings and activities. I learned how to get there on my own. Many times my friends mother’s would let me ride along with them to church meetings. I walked and rode my bike all over town and never got hurt; it was a different time and society then.
To get to the dentist, I rode from our house, through town, and got there and back just fine. No one held my hand when he drilled and filled and made all the strange dentist machine noises.
Every day, I rode the bus or biked to school. During the summer I rode my bike across town again to the city pool where I swam in the cold water and had fun with friends. The ride home was much cooler after that! Summers were filled with riding my horse and exploring the countryside. I was alone a good bit and made my own schedule.
Being independent, solving problems, facing painful situations, and keeping myself safe enough—prepared me for what life has thrown at me.
Going to church was never a question on Saturday night. We got ready to go on Sunday. God was a reality in our family life. Church was a big part of all of our lives.
She taught me to depend on God and myself, and that was the most important lesson I think I learned.
Thank you, Mama, for making me strong and a woman of faith; like you.
Proverbs 6:20-22:
“My son, keep your father’s command and do not forsake your mother’s teaching.
Bind them always on your heart; fasten them around your neck.
When you walk, they will guide you; when you sleep, they will watch over you; when you awake, they will speak to you.”
