Tag Archives: mother

A Tribute to Mother

 

A Tribute to Mother

Katie Geneva Phillips Kinslow – My Mother and BFF

Mother celebrated her last birthday with us twenty years ago by staring at the huge stack of beautiful birthday cards on her table. I wondered if she recognized any of the names. Did she realize it was her 90th birthday? I took comfort in watching her smile as she carefully handled the cards, hoping that each brought blessing and pleasure to her for the moment.

Soon, all too soon, she would again be taken to the ICU and from there to a skilled nursing facility. Having the positive assurance of Heaven made our expected parting so much easier. This reassurance was repeated several times before she went home. “Mommy, I’ll keep you forever if you want me to; but, I’ll let you go be with Jesus when you are ready.”

Holding her hands in the ICU, I sang old familiar hymns to her. It had been months since she could communicate verbally; however, a few stanzas of “Rock of Ages” would spur her to “hum” along with me. Her hums and my singing left much to be desired to the outside world, but I knew in my heart that our Father in Heaven was honored and my precious mother was comforted. Amazingly, we who never sang in public could not have cared less who heard our duet.

Days later, in the skilled care nursing home, I caressed her tiny, cold hand and recalled all the work those hands had done in ninety years; good work and honorable. I thought of all the care she had given to others; of how much those who didn’t get to know her have missed. I wanted her to go to the home prepared for her in Heaven, but the miss was huge already.

At 6:40, God answered my prayer, and Mother peacefully went to sleep. No more pain. I was blessed to be holding her hand and singing to her:  “Blessed assurance, Jesus is mine! Oh, what a foretaste of glory divine! Heir of salvation, purchase of God, born of His Spirit, washed in His blood.”   Thank you, Jesus.

My prayer for you today is that those in your care are ready to go to their final home and that they know Jesus personally. I pray that you have that assurance for yourself. What joy to know where Mother is; I look forward to seeing her again someday.

Today’s article is from pages in my book, MY MOTHER MY CHILD: available through Amazon.com, me, or Shady Oak Marketplace in Buffalo, MO.

Please drop me a note. How can I pray for you? Are you assured of Heaven? Be sure.

Hugs,

Susie

A Dose of Laughter is Good Medicine

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a dose of laughter is good medicineCaring for family may mean creating your own sunshine!

“Good morning, Sunshine! Are you sunshiny this morning? It’s a new day…wake up– let’s you and me go cheer up the world! We got one fun day ahead of us, are you ready? Move ‘em, Mommy, move ‘em!”

My happy voice and spring in my step let Mother know we were in for a great day. Her little tired eyes slowly opened and the wrinkled frown on her face was gently transformed into a big, enthusiastic smile. Those beautiful blue eyes sparkled as if she were a child once more anticipating a day at the carnival.

I knew the day would be long and hard.

It took one or two hours to get her out of bed, cleaned up and into the living room for her breakfast. My body was tired before the day began yet no one else was available to help with so much of her care. Many of the personal, tedious, routine tasks are left for caregivers to do themselves. I knew from experience my day as well as hers would go much better if it began in the right way. Mother had become so much like a child, living in and for the moment at hand. She seemed to reflect the atmosphere around her. I worked hard to keep her happy and cleaned up.

Another story began to unfold as our children and family in the other room picked up on the levity. I could hear the conversation drift from concern and sadness to laughter and excitement as they, too, anticipated a delightful morning.

Not only am I reminded again how very infectious a simple laugh can be, I also recognize the overwhelming responsibility I have, not simply to the one I’m caring for, but also to those around me. God has given me a unique opportunity to share my love for Jesus in a real, tangible way by living out the love He has put inside me.

I am praying for each person reading this post that God will put a spark inside you; that you will re-discover the joy of laughter. Laughter is, after all, good medicine! God said it; now scientists have proven it—isn’t that just amazing?

“Therefore my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices; my body also will rest secure… You have made known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand.” From Psalm 16:9-11 NIV

Hugs,

My Mother My Child is an account of my personal walk through eight years of caring; of learning to laugh in the hard times; of learning to cry; and mostly, learning to lean on the One Who has all the answers for us.

Caregiver Hope: Yearning for Greener Grass?

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Caregiver Hope: Yearning for Greener Grass?

Help, I’m drowning!

“…is your life full of difficulties and temptations? Then be happy, for when the way is rough, your patience has a chance to grow. So let it grow…when your patience is finally in full bloom, then you will be ready for anything, strong in character, full and complete.” (James 1:2-4, TLB)

Okay, so I admit it! I can almost see your expression as you read that verse. Your thoughts are running something like this:

“Hey, lady! The first part is correct. My life IS full of difficulties and temptations; and you don’t know the half of it. I’m at my wits end and no help in sight. You really expect me to find a blessing? And top that off by being happy?”

This week’s drastic weather changes have added to the daily stress of caring for family and others. Here in the Ozarks we can literally wade in our back yard and might consider building a boat. On the other hand, some of my readers would pay a big price to get a few drops of precious rain on their parched lands.

Some days are just plain too long!

I recall those days when the only blessing I could envision was my bed at night; that is, if I thought I would be able to muster the strength to get into it. Through the years I learned the value of identifying at least one blessing before I went to bed. Maybe my blessing was simply surviving another day. As time went on, a blessing might be remembering a soft smile when I kissed a cheek. Sometimes it was simply the smell of freshness on that last load of laundry for the day.

Close your eyes for even two minutes–yes, just TWO minutes! Sit up straight, breathe deeply and exhale slowly. Relax. Thank the Lord that He has promised never to leave you or forsake you. Thank Him for fresh air and freedoms and abilities to help others. Thank Him for His blessings.

News Flash: For You!

By the way, did you know that YOU are one of His blessings? Yes, you are!

As we continue this journey together, I trust I will be an encouragement to you; just a nudge to let you know you are not in this alone. Be assured I have prayed for each person reading this including you. Thank you for caring and sharing.

For more encouragement and practical help, consider working through the discussion guides in the second edition of MY MOTHER MY CHILD with a friend or family. I look forward to hearing from you soon.

Hugs,

Feel free to share this trailer with others who have not yet read MY MOTHER MY CHILD. Thanks.