I got to spend the day with my mom today. It was a great day. We went to lunch at the Southland Restaurant. I love that place – not just the food, but also because it has been there on that corner since probably before I was born. We then went to try to see our cousin, Mary Annis (she wasn’t home), and we drove by Mom’s old home place on Walker Switch Road…reminiscing, and enjoying a sunny day and the sight of buttercups blooming.
We decided to go by the nursing home in Iuka and see an old family friend, Miss Clara. Miss Clara is physically not in great shape. A stroke has left her without the use of her right arm, and with only limited use of her left. She is almost blind – bedfast most of the time…like I said, her body is not in great shape. But her soul is doing great! She was thrilled to visit with us and to reminisce (there’s that word again). Miss Clara is one of the sweetest souls I have ever known. Her heart has been tenderized by a lifetime of hardships and heartaches. She is literally kind to everyone she meets. She said something today when we were talking about old memories (not all of the old memories are good)… She said, “I know the bad things. I just choose to focus on the good ones.” What a wise way to live.
After our visit with Miss Clara, Mom and I reflected on how we need to be sure and tell those who are special to us how much we love and appreciate them while they are still living. We will go back and see Miss Clara soon, I hope. I can still picture her, tears in her eyes after Mom and I prayed with her, in her hospital-type bed with a quilt over her that read, “Be still and know that I am God.” (Psalm 46: 10) Indeed, Miss Clara. What a wise way to live.
Mom and I drove through the town of Iuka. Some of the places we remembered are still there – only a few of them, really. Moore’s Jewelry…Marie’s Snack Bar, where you can get a slugburger….we stopped and bought a Vidette…I pointed to the old store that used to be Reid’s… “Remember Reid’s, Mom?” I asked. “Yes. That’s where your daddy bought the suit he wore when we got married.” We drove by the old court house. “That’s where your daddy and I got our marriage license.” (Along with half the people in North Alabama of a certain age). We drove up the old two-lane highway out of town, and passed by a place at the state line where they used to have picnic tables on the side of the highway. “Remember when there used to be picnic tables there, Mom?” “I sure do! And up that hill there was where Jane and I climbed up and got some honeysuckle to decorate with the day your daddy and I got married.” I’m starting to see a theme by now. Mom remembering Dad – savoring the memory like a good meal. What a wise say to live.
On the drive home to Gadsden, I was listening to “All Things Considered.” Stories on politics and stuff… Gives me indigestion…decided to switch to listening to my Tom Clancy novel. Better choice. When I got home, I tried to watch the news. Political ads…sigh… Is there any good news out there? I scrolled through Facebook. I saw an article that was a “response” to an article Steve West wrote about not leaving the UMC. Also gives me indigestion… Are we really just going to go back and forth now and “correct” each other like school children? I hope not.
No comments:
Post a Comment