Hello Lisa. Happy Mother’s Day.
I drove past St Pauls Church. I saw your tree in full bloom. My eyes welled up with tears as I remembered you, my precious fellow mother.
I remember days we stood side-by-side watching our girls do crazy things. I remember when they appeared coated head to toe in farm pond mud.
They looked like swamp monsters walking up the hill right into the middle of a senior prom photo session.
I can see it now…all those gowned seniors and two beaming muddy sophomores who didn’t care. -And two moms watching.
You were much more composed than I. You smiled and even giggled at the sight. You didn’t even seem surprised by the girls’ escapade.
Prom night you hauled the duo away from the crowd, making them sit on garbage bags in your car. I was safe to finish my senior daughter’s prom.
Lisa, your cabinet was always full of goodies. My cabinet held oatmeal. My counter offered carrots and green pepper slices.
-Who would want to come to my house? My only plus was farm fields and a promising pond where mud provided slides.
Then you got sick, Lisa. Prom photo night for our two seniors, your hair was cropped and your face swollen. I have photos with you and our girls. You grinned, even giggled. They smiled and posed with high-top tennis-shoes under glittering gowns. You didn’t mind. You loved the moment.
When things got hard, we sat side-by-side on your couch. We talked about heaven…just another place to go. We scoured the Bible.
Gosh. Heaven didn’t seem so scary, especially with Jesus at our sides.
I wrote you a book to show the beauty, the peace, the love of our heavenly home. Again, you smiled…almost giggled at the thought of another place to enjoy.
When things got harder, we all gathered in a circle around your bed. We did something you wanted. We shared your memorial tribute with you. I sang. Holly played the banjo. Pastor Earl shared a message.
I think I saw you smiling again.
The white blooms are dripping from your tree, Lisa. I walked over and stood beneath your branches and breathed in the sweet fragrance. All was peaceful. I didn’t feel uptight. I grinned…just like you.
Lisa, you and I have grandchildren now. Oh how I wish we could stand side-by-side and watch their antics. You would giggle and be much calmer than me.
But, perhaps, in my older worn-down state, I’ve learned a bit from you. I think I’d probably giggle too.
In honor of Mother’s Day and in honor of Lisa Salvatore, I again share her list. These are things Lisa shared with me before she died.
Lisa’s List
- Don’t sweat the small stuff
“I’ve learned not to sweat the little things. Each day is precious time God has given me, not to be wasted.” – Lisa
- Look for God’s blessings in everything
“My eyes have been so much wider open to the daily blessings God provides. God’s blessings are found everywhere. We just need to open our eyes to them. Worrying does absolutely no good and wastes precious time.” – Lisa
- Don’t choose bitter
“Instead of the, ‘Why me?’ attitude, realize there is a reason God has chosen you take this path,” Lisa said. “Take what may seem like a negative and find the positive.” – Lisa
“We can’t predict what will happen to us,” Lisa said. We often can’t control our circumstances, but we can control our response to those circumstances.
- Know God is with you every step of the way
“I see God’s messages and signs everywhere and I thank God more often for the blessings He has given me.” -Lisa
Confessions of a Type A Woman 