Sunday, May 12, 2013

a lady named Bernice

On Saturday, I had the good pleasure of meeting a lady named Bernice. She is 95 years old and I was able to visit for over an hour while JR checked on some concerns she had with her house. Her little house was built by her husband 72 years ago. It’s chock full of wonderful collectables and family heirlooms...and has not changed in 72 years other than some electrical and plumbing conversions. She lives there with her cat.

Bernice was a stay at home mom to her two sons, who regretfully have passed on. She shared how much she delighted in being their mother and making a home for her family. They had a good life, even though they didn't have everything. They had what they needed and more, which was enough. She was and is frugal, wise, creative and resourceful. She had to be. At her kitchen table which she received as a gift in 1940, when “they made things really well,” she shared many stories which demonstrated pride in her family and the role that she played. And yet she was humble. She said she could claim no credit since God designed her to do exactly what she did.

Bernice, at 95, lost both of her sons within the last 5 years and it was with tears in her eyes that she told me how much she missed her boys. To her, they were not aging men in their sixties with health complications. They had successful careers and wonderful families, but they were her boys. Imagine being 95 years old and outliving your children! To Bernice, she said, “it’s just not natural.” No doubt she always saw them through maternal eyes, even though at some point, they were taking care of her.

I was so happy to spend time with her. It was confirmation to me that a mother’s role is significant….through time and age and death. And that love, care and protection of our children transcends time, age and death.


There has been no greater blessing in my life than to be given the role of mother. It’s been the easiest and hardest, the most complicated and most simple thing I’ve done.

Happy Mother's Day.

8 comments:

  1. Such a nice and sad story, thanks for sharing. Your picture is amazing, I love how the older two children are looking at you. Happy Mother's day to you.

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  2. That last image is so darn sweet!! Being a mother is all those things ; a great post!

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  3. What a wonderful post with a powerful message. Thank you for sharing it with us.

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  4. Absolutely beautiful story! You captured all the joy, love and - yes - sometimes pain, that fills us up as mothers. Thank you for sharing! Happy Mother's Day!

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  5. Thank you for sharing Bernice's story. I love that last picture - such love. g

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  6. What a beautiful post. Thanks for sharing life with us. We are truly "knit together" with love.

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  7. Beautiful! Yes, being a mother is the most important job of all.

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  8. Happy Mother's Day! Your children are so blessed to have you for a mother. :)

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