A VIEW FROM MY MOM’S CHAIR
I thought I’d surprise her for her birthday. She most definitely was that… I wish I would have had a camera to capture her reaction when she spotted me through her kitchen window as she was cleaning. It seems like my mom has been cleaning her entire life. She did her fair share of cleaning up after me, but that was a long time ago.
Shock mixed with gratitude reflected in the tears filling my mom’s eyes as she scurried from her kitchen to the front door to greet me with a hug. “What-a-ya’ you doing here?” My mom asked the question she already knew the answer to. “I came to take you to lunch for your birthday – Birthday Girl!” I announced. “Oh, Floyd – You’re too busy to be doing this!” she expressed with urgency. “Naw – I’ve got plenty of time for this type of stuff, mom.” I answered.
I’d been on the phone with my mom that morning to wish her a happy birthday and had business calls coming in so I told her I’d call her back later that afternoon. She didn’t know I was already driving to see her. Three hours later I showed up in person.
It doesn’t take much to bring joy to a parent really… Just a little selflessness and love that they tried to instill in us from the beginning.
My mom was excited to show me all the improvements she’d made on the little place, “Oh-oh, and look at this! I can sit here and have my coffee and look out at the trees!” she really knows how to find joy in the simplest of things. My mom pulled out the little chair from the small table to demonstrate where she sat in the mornings to have her coffee and take in God’s creation across the street.
I could see my mom there in the mornings drinking her coffee in my mind’s eye. A view from my mom’s chair… I also saw the empty chair beside her at the little two person table… That would have been where my dad would have sat… I could see that in my mind’s eye too… The reality that my mom sits alone at breakfast caused me to fight back emotion and swallow the lump in my throat. The last thing she needed on her birthday was me reminding her.
My mom doesn’t question God’s sovereignty or blessings, even when things don’t go her way… My dad was the same way. I love my mom for a multitude of reasons and that’s one of them. She counts her blessings everyday… Some days through tears… but she counts them all the same.
I took my mom to lunch at the old Route 66 Diner where the old juke box was playing songs from the fifties. The stroll down memory lane was inevitable I guess. The day after my mom’s birthday is my mom and dad’s anniversary… Those days will be difficult days for my mom the rest of her life, mine too I guess…
As I was leaving I disguised my heart, trying to protect my mom’s, “Well – You need to get back to work!” I said in a light manner. My mom smiled, fighting back tears, “I know! – I’ve got so much to do!” My mom loves a good challenge. I suppose I should thank her for that trait too.
If you asked my mom if the glass was half empty or half full, she’d tell you her glass or cup overflows with God’s grace and mercy… “Happy birthday, mom. I love you,” I said as I hugged and kissed my mom on the cheek. “I love you too… Thank you hun,” she answered. My mom really does appreciate the simple things in life…
I can read it in her tears…
Voni Harris
Sunday, November 11, 2012 @ 7:30 pm
Happy Birthday, Mrs. Floyd’s Mom! And happy anniversary memories, too. Blessings!
Voni
Floyd
Monday, November 12, 2012 @ 7:08 am
Thank you, Voni. You’re very kind.
Hazel Moon
Sunday, November 11, 2012 @ 11:29 pm
I am so happy you took the time to visit your mother and take her to lunch. From your story I can see she is a sweet saint of God and that she also loves you!
Tomorrow is Becky and Dennis’s 24th wedding anniversary. After church I stopped by and took them a flower arrangement and a card. Simple things go a long way to making someone happy.
Floyd
Monday, November 12, 2012 @ 7:10 am
Thanks, Hazel. My mom is a great hearted person for sure. Good for you to take the time for the little things as well. They do mean more than the big things I think.
bill (cycleguy)
Monday, November 12, 2012 @ 3:26 am
You are a blessed man Floyd. My mom went to be with jesus in 2004 so I can’t do what you can. Thanks for taking the time to be a “son” and to remind your mom that no matter what, she is important to you. Well done my friend.
Floyd
Monday, November 12, 2012 @ 7:11 am
I probably don’t do enough, Bill, but my mom being the way she is never complains or expects things for herself. I am blessed, Bill. Thanks for the reminder.
April
Monday, November 12, 2012 @ 6:51 am
Happy birthday to your mom! That was a sweet thing to do for her!
Floyd
Monday, November 12, 2012 @ 7:12 am
Thanks, April. I don’t do enough sweet things in my life I’m sure. I need to do more.
Betty Draper
Monday, November 12, 2012 @ 8:08 am
I am visiting my Mom this very week, she is in a nursing home. Her mind is slowly leaving her so sometimes she is off somewhere in the past. Today I plan to take my computer and have her tell me stories from long ago. Hazel has encouraged my heart with keeping our stories alive by telling our children. I want my Mom grand and great grandchildre to know her before the disease took over her body and mind. Sweet post brother…continue to make those memories as often as you can. Blessings.
Floyd
Monday, November 12, 2012 @ 10:15 am
Good for you, Betty. That’s a great idea to pass those real life stories down to our children. I love Hazel’s stories too. The real life stories teach us and they seem to do more for the younger ones reading, especially knowing we’re family. Tell your mom your extended family says “hi.” Thanks, Betty.
Lanny Wegleitner
Monday, November 12, 2012 @ 8:44 am
Please tell your mom happy birthday from me. Let her know that she will always have a special place in my heart “Just like she was my mother.” She has always made me feel welcome and happy to see me. Your mom as quite a treasure to know.
Floyd
Monday, November 12, 2012 @ 10:18 am
Awe man. Thanks Lanny. She’ll appreciate that and she loves you like a son. We are pretty blessed I’d say. I’ll tell my mom and tell yours I said hi as well, your dad too. The simple things are the best… like a life long friendship…
tcavey
Monday, November 12, 2012 @ 10:49 am
Your post brought tears to my eyes. My mom would never want pity…but it’s hard to choke back the tears when I see how different her life is without her spouse. But like your mom, she keeps on going, keeps on living and keeps on smiling.
Thank you for sharing. Happy B-day to a wonderful lady. May happy memories hold her close as she remembers past b-days and anniversaries.
Floyd
Monday, November 12, 2012 @ 6:28 pm
Thank you for the warm wishes for my mom, TC. I have a feeling that our moms have much in common like our dads did. We are blessed to have them and have their example. It is a gift from God that can’t be measured…
Jason Stasyszen
Monday, November 12, 2012 @ 1:32 pm
Beautiful story, Floyd. You said it doesn’t take much to bring joy to a parent, and you’re so right. Doesn’t take much to bring joy to most. To know in the midst of our own struggles and busyness that we care and can see them, that’s a huge blessing. Thank you, Floyd.
Floyd
Monday, November 12, 2012 @ 6:31 pm
Thanks, Jason. It is a huge blessing to have the loved ones God has placed in our lives. In the sacrifice of time we find the true value of this life and the simple gifts from God that can’t be measured by a number.
Dan Black
Monday, November 12, 2012 @ 2:30 pm
Your a great man! What a surprise, I know you mom was blessed because of it.
Floyd
Monday, November 12, 2012 @ 6:33 pm
You’re too kind, Dan. I’m certain that some of the best traits that I have, God used my parents to teach me and used them as living examples to live my life by. They aren’t perfect and don’t claim to be. It is also that humility that teaches me as well. I’d say we were both blessed.
jake
Monday, November 12, 2012 @ 6:05 pm
“It seems like my mom has been cleaning her entire life.” My mom too. Glad you took the time to go visit, I think I need to do that more often, too.
Floyd
Monday, November 12, 2012 @ 6:35 pm
I think could probably stand to do a bit more than we do. It is a huge blessing to get off the merry go round and spend time with loved ones. I can’t think of a better thing to do and yet still struggle to find that balance. It’s good to hear from you, Jake. I was just thinking about you today… How weird is that?
Hazel Moon
Monday, November 12, 2012 @ 6:34 pm
Thank you for sharing this at Tell me a Story!
Floyd
Monday, November 12, 2012 @ 6:37 pm
Thanks for letting me share it at your site. Loved your story there about the new car. You’re a thinker!
Kristin
Monday, November 12, 2012 @ 7:02 pm
Oh,you are precious for taking her out! She sounds like a lady I would really like and would like to sit and look out at the trees with 🙂
Bless her heart. . .and yours!
Floyd
Monday, November 12, 2012 @ 8:08 pm
Thank you for your kind words, Kristin. I’m certain you’d love to sit and chat with as you enjoyed the gifts of God. Thanks also for the blessings. May God bless your wonderful heart as well.
Vilisi
Monday, November 12, 2012 @ 8:28 pm
A beautiful tribute. Your mum is blessed to have a son like you. Thank you for sharing from your heart. (I came here from tell Me a Story).
Floyd
Tuesday, November 13, 2012 @ 6:58 am
Thanks for dropping by and adding to the story, Vilisi. I’m thinking that I probably got the better end of that deal, but either way loved ones are a gift from God.
Saleslady371
Tuesday, November 13, 2012 @ 1:08 pm
You are a thoughtful son. It’s all about relationship and no gift is better than spending time together. You are sowing great seeds here. It will come back in wonderful ways.
Floyd
Tuesday, November 13, 2012 @ 5:19 pm
Thanks. The truth is that I always get more than I give that’s for sure. Moms are the best.
Pat Bowling
Tuesday, November 13, 2012 @ 2:17 pm
There’s something special about the relationship between a mother and her boys; I know you made her birthday wonderful!
Floyd
Tuesday, November 13, 2012 @ 5:21 pm
Thanks, Pat. It was a great day. I’ll be looking forward to Thanksgiving now. It definitely is different with boys than girls. All good, just different. I’m blessed for sure and I know you are too.
EvieJo
Wednesday, November 14, 2012 @ 3:27 pm
What a sweet story! You have the hearts of all of us moms who love all of those visits from our boys!
Floyd
Wednesday, November 14, 2012 @ 5:37 pm
Thanks, Evie. It is a special bond between a mother and her sons. The boys grow into men, but never lose the heart for their mother. What a great design from the heart of our Father.
Ann Cocktale
Saturday, November 17, 2012 @ 8:51 am
I love your post because your mom reminds me of mine. Sweet women of faith can make a world of difference in the life of a child. They leave big shoes to fill and a desire to fill them. Thanks for the reminder
Floyd
Saturday, November 17, 2012 @ 9:39 am
“They leave big shoes to fill and a desire to fill them.” What an awesome assessment… We are truly blessed to have mothers that God chose to teach us the old fashioned way; by seeing them live there lives out seeking to honor our heavenly Father and their families… Thanks, Ann. Well said.