Mother’s Day – Linda Ford

Happy Mother’s Day

Linda — Sun, 13 May 2018 00:00:00 +0000

I feel like I should have something profound to say on Mother`s Day. I tried to think of special memories of Mother`s Day when I was a child. But I could think of none. Was it so commercialized back then (in the dark ages)? Yet when I think of my mother, I have memories that surely qualify for a special place on Mother`s Day.
First, there’s lardie cake. Has anyone else heard of this or is it a family recipe, perhaps finding its way down from my Scottish grandmother? My mother rolled out bread dough, spread it with lard (I`m sure that`s how she did it even though it sounds gross), sprinkled it with white sugar, folded it up and rolled it out again. She rolled it out several times that way. Baked in a loaf, it was sweet, crisp and delicious. And back then we didn`t worry about our arteries.
I was six or seven when I got my tonsils out. My throat hurt enough to cut glass with. I remember how my parents brought me home from the hospital and put me on the couch outside their bedroom. I suppose it was so they could watch me. At the time I thought it meant I was extremely ill. I woke in the night with my throat so dry and painful I could hardly open my mouth. Somehow I managed to call—or more likely, whisper—for my mother. I`m amazed she heard, but she did, and brought me cool water to soothe my throat. There is something special about knowing your mother will let you disturb her sleep and come to your side in the middle of the night.
One thing I thank my mother for almost every day is how she taught us about God. She encouraged us to memorize verses. To this day I remember the one I committed to my memory. How wise of her to recognize how much our young minds would retain.
My mother liked to draw with colored pencils. One of my fondest memories is picking wild flowers and taking them to her. A few hours later we`d return to find the flower drawn in colorful, accurate detail. She sketched butterflies, moths, and caterpillars as well. On the top shelf above my desk I have a picture she did of a wild rose.
Maybe that`s my Mother`s Day present to her—remembering her with love.

HAPPY MOHTER’S DAY

Linda — Sun, 10 May 2015 00:00:00 +0000

I am blessed to come from a long line of Moms. Ha ha.

My mother on the left with two of her sisters.

My mother taught me many things. Like the importance of words and of pursuing your dreams. She wrote hundreds of articles, stories, puzzles, etc. I think she got paid a few cents/word. But she faithfully wrote, faithfully sent out her work and never complained when she got rejections.

She taught me how to work hard. Monday was wash day and that meant putting a tub of water on the stove to heat overnight then up early to start the laundry. All the clothes would be hung on the line before we went to school. She also grew a huge garden using the empty lots of either side of our house. Most of the labor was done by hand.

She taught me the importance of taking care of others. She regularly visited shut ins, often opened her house to someone in need and took care of a friend’s child for several months when the need arose. I never once heard her complain of the extra work or inconvenience. Come to think of it, I never heard her complain about much of anything and her life of hard work makes mine look easy.

She taught me the importance of reading my Bible and memorizing scriptures, offering us rewards for learning many passages by heart. Along with that, she taught me that God loves me and because of Jesus’ death on the cross, there is a way for me to enjoy that love eternally. I remember asking her, at the tender age of four, what I had to do. I don’t recall the exact words but something to the effect of just asking Jesus to be my Savior. I think she used the words, ask Him into your heart.

Mom, your works rise up and bless you. Thank you for being faithful to your dreams and convictions. Thank you for teaching me such valuable lessons.

Happy Mother’s Day

Linda — Sat, 10 May 2014 00:00:00 +0000

I thought long and hard to come up with a blog for Mother’s Day. I couldn’t top this. Enjoy:

http://www.godtube.com/watch/?v=0EEEJJNU

TRIBUTE TO MY MOTHER

Linda — Sat, 07 May 2011 00:00:00 +0000

My mother was an author. She wrote hundreds of articles, devotionals, games, puzzles, etc. I have a large box full of her clipped published works. Someday I hope to create a collection of them to share with the family.
But in honor of Mother’s Day this weekend, I am posting one of her articles. I hope you enjoy it.