THIS IS WHO WE ARE

This is what we do for the joy of the King,
For His peaceable Kingdom,
For a world in despair.
And this is why we bring any hope we can give,
Any bread from the table,
Any touch of His hand.
This is what we do.
This is where we go.
This is why we sing.
This is how we live.
This is who we are.


Friday, May 9, 2008

50 Years Ago Today -- A letter to my mother

It's so weird writing about something "fifty years ago today" in reference to yourself. Nevertheless, 50 years ago this very day, I was a 9-year old kid who wrote a note to his mom.  (It was probably a school project.)  I never realized how much it must have meant to her until I found it as I was going through her things after her death. I made a little video clip of it (below) so you can see the original.

I share it with you here as my way of saying Happy Mother's Day to this wonderful woman! (By the way, you might be clueless as to what "mercurochrome" is.  It was the panacea to little kids like band-aids are today.  Every conceivable cut or scrape needed the magic touch of the red ointment in order for "healing" to take place!)  My writing style reminds me of Sheldon, one of the nerd physicists on CBS's BIG BANG THEORY!

Kissimmee, Florida
May 9, 1958

Dear Mother,

I am very glad for what you have done for me.  I appreciate the way you cook my supper, dinner, and breakfast.  You make my bed, and clean and iron my clothes.  I like the way you care for me when I'm sick and buying my mercurochrome, and paddling me when I need it, and of course, loving me.

I hope you have a very nice Mothers Day for this is the only reason that I wrote this. I love you and I want to help you when you are in need.

Today at 3:00 to 4:30 is James birthday party at the lakefront.  I hope you come and pick me up.

Monday the P.T.A. night is at eight o'clock.  I hope you come very much.  And I also want to mention that I love you a lot.

Your only son,
Donnie

Happy Mother's Day, Mom.  I miss you!


Mom and I at the Cracker Barrel in Kissimmee--
a few months before her death.



8 comments:

Diane Davis said...

this is incredibly touching.

johnsonandjohnson said...

I love that in a "happy mother's day" letter you ask her to pick you up at a party! haha....also, I loved how professional the letter was too. How cute you were.

Roni said...

Oh, that is so sweet!! It's no wonder she saved it.

Heidi said...

That was beautiful...

Kristi said...

Oh that is precious. It is a shame that written letters are a passing tradition. What a precious memory.

And I hope it comforts you to know that you did in fact take care of her when she was in need.

Diane Davis said...

i don't mean to sound trite with such a heartfelt post... but is that a spray tan you had with your mom outside of the cracker barrel?

Don said...

HAHAHA - Oh Diane, you charmer, you.

Actually it was Mary Kay Sunless Lotion in a tube... doesn't do so good on faces huh? (Lyn sells MK btw if any readers/stalkers are interested!!!!) I probably shouldn't say that, cause the picture isn't a very good plug for their product line!)

discomommy said...

That is so sweet Don! This morning I got a note from my "Fravrat" son. I will be treasuring that note as I am sure your mother treasured this one!