December 15th.
This past week has been filled with emotions. It began (or actually last week ended) on an extremely high note. As I mentioned in my previous post, my son Stephen got married to his beautiful bride, and my now daughter-in-law, Sunny. It was a beautiful day (even though it did rain a little) and could not have gone any better. Friends and family came from far away to be there and be a part of that special day and it was indeed special.
Then came Wednesday. Now, in and of themselves, Wednesday’s are not typically that bad. But this past Wednesday wasn’t just another Wednesday. You see, this past Wednesday was December 15th. I’m aware that December 15th is probably not that special of a day to many people. But to me it is. On Wednesday, December 15th my mom would have been 82 years old. That’s right. Would have been! Sadly my mom passed away in 1998 at the age of 58.
Trust me, I understand that my opinion is extremely biased, but I have never met anyone quite like my mom. She was not perfect. But she was awfully close. She loved big and always, always saw the best in everyone. In fact, until the day she died she thought O.J. was innocent! But that was just my mom. She never said a cross word about anyone. At least not in my presence or loud enough that I could hear her.
She didn’t have an easy life, but you would not have known it. She worried about everything but she kept her problems to herself. She did not want anyone to be bothered with worrying about her. And she would never want to trouble anyone. She loved music, and because of her, her children loved music as well. Probably the only things she loved more than music was her children (and grandchildren) and her Lord.
When my son Stephen had his first dance with his new bride Sunny, I began to think of my mom. The song that Stephen & Sunny danced to, was a song that he wrote and recorded for that very dance. My mom’s musical influence has been passed on to her grandchildren. Many of them barely knew her, including my son Stephen. But, musically speaking, it didn’t matter. Her influence is that strong.
As I was filming the dance that evening, crying because my son had married the woman of his dreams and because he had written a beautiful song, I was also crying because my mom was not there to enjoy that moment. But, I do believe she was present.
I have preached and taught the Bible for over 20 years. I have a Master’s degree in Theology, and I still am not sure what I believe when i comes to someone in heaven being able to see what is going on down here. (Other than God of course). But I do believe she saw that moment. Maybe it’s just because I want to believe it.
Happy birthday mom! And while I would give anything to see you again and to hear your sweet voice sing, I would not want you to miss one moment of heaven!
