I didn’t eat black- eyed peas and hog jowl for New Years Day,
probably for the first time in 58 years.
I grew up with my mama cooking it every New Years Day and my daddy
sayn’, “You better eat a spoon full at least or you want have good luck this
year.” Maybe this is a sign that things are going to be different…don’t know!
But one thing I do know, my luck doesn’t depend on black eyed peas.
In the last month I have been reminded several times to hold
close this special time that I have with my mother and sister. A lady from Nashville told my sister and I how precious this time was
that we have with our mother while lying on the beach in November. Recently at a funeral as I passed by my dear
friend to give her my condolences she whispered in my ear, “Love that Brenda.”
She knew what it felt like to lose her only sibling, her precious sister. So, I am not going to waste this special time
that God has given us to be together. This blog is dedicated to my loving
mother, and sweet sister.
My mother and daddy were
married over 50 years, moving to Vernon, Florida after only being married
several years. Daddy was a coach, PE
teacher, high school principal, and eventually elected to the State House of
Representative from our district. My mother always said about my daddy, “You
either loved him or hated him, there was no in between.” I loved that about my
daddy. On the other hand, my mother was loved by everyone in Vernon. Not only
that, everyone always talked about how beautiful she was. All her athlete’s
adored her and her PE students as well. Mother was the girl’s PE teacher and
coach for her entire career at Vernon High School. (Thirty something years, (I
think). Even today, everywhere I go they ask me about my mother. When they see
her they still compliment her on how well she looks. My mother is 84. Not only
is she beautiful, but she is highly thought of, loved, and respected. One of
the greatest admiration I have for my mother is how she stood by my daddy. As
the song goes, she was definitely the wind beneath his wings. It was so
beautifully written in my nieces’ blog. I would like to share.
Friday, February 28, 2014
Written by Herrika Thornton
Heritage
I watched her as she got
dressed. She held deep sorrow in her eyes, yet I saw strength, courage
and beauty. There I stood, a girl just getting started good as a wife; not
yet a mother, watching this lady who had lived a life time of joy and
sorrow. This day, like so many others, she was a wife dressing to please
the man that she had spent a lifetime with, a life that held many sweet
stories.
“Do you think he would think I look pretty today?” she asked me.
I stumbled for words as the tears stuck in my throat. “Yes ma’am, I know he would,” was my reply because to me she was
beautiful dressed in red. You see
red was his favorite color.
“Well today I’ll stand by him one last time,” was her soft
declaration.
Standing by him was all she knew how to do. She had done so with joy, pride and love for so many
years. Standing by him, honoring him was like breathing to her.
My sister is four years older than I. We weren’t that close in school. But, I wanted to be everything that my sister
was; popular with the boys, well-liked in school, pretty, smart, a great
cheerleader, and passionate about her love for Jesus. She made it a little
difficult for me because I knew I could never measure up. After a few years in
college, Brenda married Ricky and they have been married 40+ years. She taught
school upon retiring for 35 years or more. My sister taught elementary school
for years and years, moved to middle school, and because she felt a call from
the Lord to move out of her “comfort zone”, she moved to high school and served
as a Reading Coach to support reading in all other subject areas. I can only
imagine how difficult that was! That took a lot of inner strength to do that.
I’m so proud of my sister!
And all this time, she has labored in love tirelessly with her
husband, as she and he have served as pastors for at least 20+ years. I’ve
watched her close up, love and support him during times that it would be easy
to walk away and say, “You’re on your own this time.” For we all know that the
Lord gives words to the pastor and sometimes they are difficult words, words not
easily swallowed at first. But, never did she do that. She has prayed for,
stood steadfast and loyal to her husband. She has been there to lift his head
and not tear him down. I admire her so much for that!
What an honor to have two women in my life that have been such
excellent role models for me, and our children.
Both have loved and honored their husbands and have put God first in
their lives. Recently trying to think of a verse that would honor my sister’s
birthday I thought of Ruth 13:1. It is so fitting for them both: Where you go I’ll go and where you stay, I’ll
stay. Your people will be my people and your God my God. My mother and sister have lived by these
words. They have stood in the middle of wagging tongues, unpopular beliefs, and
had their share of valley experiences and have not wavered. They stood by their
husband’s and in doing so honored their God.
I don’t have any idea what 2016 will bring. I don’t make New
Year’s resolutions either. But, if I was to make one I think it would be along
the lines of, I want to love a little harder and love a little longer… my husband, our children, grandchildren, all my family and
friends…my mother and sister (thank you, you make me want to be a better
person)
I believe this will bring
glory to my Loving Heavenly Father and make him proud of his daughter.
Living Loved,
Sammie Jean
