Monday, December 22, 2008

I want my mama....


In yesterday's newspaper, the front page and a large article were devoted to a young man from our home town by the name of Milton Johnson. Milton was paralyzed from the neck down in August 08 during football practice. A young coach, who was one of several witnesses to the injury, recalls Milton's barely audible words on the field following his injury that day. Just minutes before rescue arrived, Milton said, "I want my mama". My heart broke as I read this...just a couple of days ago, I woke up thinking about my own mama. She left this earth in 1998, just 2 weeks after being diagnosed with cancer. I was thinking about all she sacrificed for me through the years....She was a divorced mother rearing two small children and she did this completely alone for 9 years (that is when she married the only man I ever knew as a father). During the 9 years that me and my younger brother, Billy, had mom to our self, she worked 2-3 jobs. I always had food in my belly, clothes on my back, and her unfailing love. I can remember her praying at my bedside on numerous occasions. She never applied for outside help from the government during this time (although she certainly was a candidate). So many times I find myself crying, "I want my mama", just like Milton Johnson did. When I woke up thinking about her the other morning, I thought of Psalm 139:2 "...you understand my thought from afar"....since God knows what I was thinking this morning, is it quite possible that God relays those thoughts to my mother? Only God knows...I can only ponder this side of heaven what His dialogue with my mother might look like...but I can rest assured that I will see her face again one day...then I will behold His face as well! As the song says, "I can only imagine!"

4 comments:

Barb said...

Sue...tears were running down my cheeks as I read your post. This time of the year always seems to find us longing for loved ones gone on before us. I yearn for my parents to hold me, talk to me and comfort me. No one ever replaces our parents. Your story was so sweet. You drew me in and I was engulfed as I read your words about your precious mama. I know that God must be whispering your love towards her in her ear, I just know it. Thanks for your sweet post. It touched me deeply. I want my mama too Sue.

Anonymous said...

Sue...your words touched my heart and spoke so clearly to me. I can't even imagine what it will be like when my mom goes to be with Jesus. She is such an important part of my life. I have been so blessed to have her in my life for almost seventy years come May. She is such a godly woman and has a heart of gold. I know sometimes I take for granted that she is there and forget that one day she won't.
Thanks for the reminder to me, that I need to treasure every day I have to spend with her. I was trying to decide whether I was going to spend some time with her tomorrow or just hang out here at the house and catch up on some things, you know how there is never enough time to get things done, but those things can wait, they will be there to do another day. I thank God for giving me such a wonderful mom, and that I have the blessing of living close to her. She is such an inspiration to me, the Lord taught her to be the godly mom that she is, because her mom died when she was 7 years old. She was diagnoised with tubuculosis when my mom was 2, and had to live at an institution until she died. She went to be with the Lord, though, because from what my mom's uncle's have shared with us she was such a godly woman. I know she much have prayed for my mom and her brother much while being sick all of those years, because they are both godly people with such hearts of compassion and love for others. It's such a sweet story. One day when we have time I will tell you more about it. I thank you, my sweet friend for sharing your thoughts with us your readers. It has inspired me so much, and encoraged me, too. I know you must miss your mom so much, but what a blessing to know where she is and that you will see her again one day. What a reunion day we will have. I know I have many that I can't wait to see, and miss so much also.

Dina Staggs said...

I miss her too Aunt Sue *HUGS*
We both know where she's at though. Thanks for posting the photo, whos the Baby? I don't have many photos of her so nice to see them online so I can download them.

Jesusistheparty! said...

Hey, this is Jesus is the party! You can email me at dmgoodwin13@yahoo.com and I can give you some scoop on how my husband and I came to lead a neighborhood Bible study this past fall. We are going to lead another one this semester b/c of the numerous requests of the neighbors. It is by far one of the most rewarding things we have ever done!! Look forward to chatting with you. Dana q:~}