In passing...

My mother, Helen Young, passed away Sunday morning, August 8. Her children were at her bedside. A day or two before she had hugged each of them and told them good-bye. Below are some of the comments that I, her oldest son, made at her memorial service.

I loved my Mama. When I think of all the ways my Mama touched me and others a few things come to mind.First, she was a prolific note writer. If I asked right now how many of you have received a note from my mama many hands would go up. If you visited her or gave her a gift or maybe she just hadn't seen you in a while, you'd get a note from her. And not just an ordinary note either--one that would have a funny phrase and "ha-ha" some where in it. And by the way there would probably be a little stick figure by the signature too.Secondly, she believed in baking cakes for people too. When member of the community who lived alone was having a birthday, Mama decided he needed a cake and baked him one. That's just the kind of lady she was.
Thirdly, she loved unconditionally. When her oldest son experienced an unsuccesful marriage she continued to love the ex-wife while embracing the new wife. Or when a family member adopted a lifestyle she did not approve of she admonished them but kept on loving them.
You see Mama had:

• A sincere interest on others
• A giving nature
• Unconditional love

One final note: We were once driving Mama and her sister to a funeral of a relative, all is quiet as we drive along, suddenly Mama says,"You just can't believe anything you read in the newspaper anymore.". We drive along in silence for a few miles and then I heard her say,"But I believe Blondie!"

I loved my Mama. And I know you did too.

Me and My Sis.

Some times there is a flashback among siblings. One such flashback occurred to me when my sister and I rode on her Gator to look at some farmland. It was like old times we were youngsters on the farm again. She was the one who got to be the Indian in the eternal struggle for the American west and she was the one that always got to follow. And she was always the one I took up for when others called her names. We had some rough times growing up on a red-clay farm but it all worked out alright. She's still one of the favorite women in my life!

Video captured with a Canon Power Shot SD960 IS DIGITAL ELPH

Editing program used was Windows Movie Maker)

Downer Day

Today is a downer day. My brother called and said that the HOSPICE folks said that our mom has only a few days to live. Although I was expecting the call, I wasn't ready. I spoke with her last on Saturday. She told me of her love for me and I reciprocated. I could not help but tear up a bit as the lump grew in my throat and I looked into those pale blue eyes while she apologized for any mistakes she had made in my upbringing. I assured her that there was no need to feel sorry for anything she had or had not done and that she had done a wonderful job in rearing her four children. She said she was ready to meet with the Lord and knew that my daddy would be waiting at that golden gate for her. Yes it's been a downer day.

The Warm Fuzzies

I got the warm fuzzies this past weekend. What are the warm fuzzies and how do you get them? Let me try to answer the question. I guess the best definition of a warm fuzzie is the feeling of satisfaction. But not like the satisfaction of accomplishing some kind of goal like being the first the first to bowl a perfect game blindfolded. But more like the warm fuzzie feeling you got when you helped the little old lady across the street when you were a Boy Scout. I think that a warm fuzzie can only be felt if another person is involved.

I got my warm fuzzies working on a Habitat for Humanity house. Habitat makes it possible for people who by conventional means may never be able to afford a home to obtain one. The way that this is accomplished is through the unselfish donations of materials and labor. I was part of the labor. Just think of it: I, and other volunteers helped a family to have their own home. Yeah, their own piece of the American dream! Oh yes , you can get the warm fuzzies from this kind of volunteerism.

In my own simple way, (I am handicapped by a college education)I believe you can only gain fulfilment as a human being by being other-oriented. And the warm fuzzies will just keep on coming!

Scatz

I don't know what is is about cats. Why do we like them? Is it because they never seem to be completely tame? They always seem to do what they want to do. I think all cats have the female gene--you can pet them, lavish all kinds of gifts on them, do all sorts of things for them and they still do what they darn well please! Or maybe it's like the Revernd Chuck says, "God made house cats so man could know what it would feels like to pet a tiger!"

I just don't know what it is about cats!