“Where does one begin…?”

Almost 60 years of knowing one person is a long time, but never long enough! Despite the cycle of life we are gifted, from birth, infancy to childhood… teenage years to adulthood…during good times, bad times, and times of adversity and times of reconciliation, I can honestly say from my heart, my mother never stopped loving or caring for me. She was that constant cornerstone in my life.

As a child, when in second grade, I recall my mother enrolled me in the SRA reading program at St. Anne’s. This reading program was intended to increase a child’s level of reading comprehension, speed, creative thinking as well as other scholastic skill sets. As a child, my impressions/thoughts about this program was…”how much longer before this program ends.” What’s more uncomprehensiveable was when I completed the program, my mother gave me a book as a reward for completing the program. Actually, I expected something more along a baseball glove, roller skates, GI Joe figure…No, I got a book!! At age 7, this was difficult to assimilate. Nonetheless, I recall  reading that book over, over and over again, never realizing the impact it would have on me later in life.

Moving forward…In my mid-adult years, more specifically in September of 2009, I became a Christian. As I continue my Christian walk/faith, I see things from a different perspective. I admit, I am not perfect, but I am humbled to have been able to reconcile my difference with my mother. To ask for her forgiveness and to forgive her. Although trying at times, these last two years of my life have been some of my more memoribal times with mom. Being able to live and care for her has allowed many interesting conversations, moreover a special bond between mom and I.

During mom’s final week she became very fragile. We prayed together and I told her I wasn’t sure of her faith, but wanted to make sure she would be going home. As we prayed, she accepted the Lord Jesus as her savior.  Praise God!

The memory of my mother is one that exemplifies a love of a parent as depicted in the story of “The Prodigal Son,”  (Luke 15:11-32), and tends to our needs as expressed in Psalm 23:1-6. As mom lived her life, I believe she also understood the meaning of Psalm 139: 1-24 which made her unique in her own way. Mom’s purpose has been served and she has gone home. May God rest her soul.

I am deeply humbled to have been able to care and serve my mother  as she cared for me, and my siblings. Thanks to the family and friends who also cared, and shared time with her, and always made her feel special.

Special thanks to Lidia, Lisa, Juliana, Lully, Alejandra and Sharon for the attention, care and friendship you provided mom. She loved each one of you as her own and appreciated you each individually. Special thanks to those extended family members and friends who gave mom your individual love, compassion, who called her to check in on her, kept her company, accompanied her to appointments. She appreciated those acts of kindness and they will never be forgotten. Lastly, I want to give my wife “Karina,” thank you for your patients, understanding and the encouragement you gave me in allowing me to care for my mother as I did. My mother had many kind things to say about you, didn’t know I got so lucky (kidding), but more importantly, she always asked about you and wanted to be sure things were going well in our relationship. That was her way of welcoming you to the family.

Sam, Bryan, I love you both. Just know mom left a legacy in each one of you as she did with me.

Earlier I mentioned a book my mother gave me and the impact it had on my life and how it wasn’t until late in my adult life did I realize the impact. Mom planted a seed, a seed of giving, as depicted in the book titled “The Giving Tree,” by Shel Silverstein, written in 1964. Spiritually speaking, mom understood her purpose. Her gift was to give to all and enjoyed all who would partake in her fruitfulness. The message from mom to me: Be kind loving, caring and compassionate to all, and to pay it forward when ever you can, but more importantly do not expect anything in return, just be humble by your acts of kindness. Mom lived by Matthew 7:12(NIV): So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.

Father in Heaven, I am deeply humbled to have had a mother like mine. Her purpose on this earth has been served. I hope she has served you well and you are glorified by her acts of kindness.  We will miss her, but we know she has gone home to rest in peace and someday we will all be reunited in your name. May we all be blessed as she was to carry on her legacy of Giving in your name and for your glory…AMEN!