Happy Birthday, Mom! A woman’s age can be a sensitive topic, but I hope you’ll indulge me. Tomorrow my mother turns 96. She’s healthy, her mind is active, but says she doesn’t have the energy to do all the things she still wants to do. She lives in Paris, Illinois, in an independent living retirement community called Grace Village. Church-affiliated, it’s a wonderful, close knit, supportive community.
When you’re a kid, you think you know your mother. My mom amazes me the more I learn about her. My sister and I are both going to be with her this weekend for her birthday. Mom said, “Pam is bringing down frog legs.” “What?” I said, “Frog legs?” She said, “We like frog legs, but we can’t get them here.” We never had frog legs growing up. She said, “They taste a little bit like chicken.” Yeah, every strange food tastes like chicken. In my first congregation, a neighbor brought over squirrel. “Try it, Reverend. It tastes just like chicken.” I had a few bites but couldn’t get the picture of a squirrel out of my mind. No more squirrel for me. No, thank you, to frog legs. I’m in no hurry to croak.
Norma’s Café has other specialties. One of her friends butchers meat. The next time he butchers, he has promised to bring my mom some liver. We did have liver and onions growing up, and I liked it. When we talked last week, she said, “Guess what we’re having tonight?” “Obviously, I don’t know.” “Bread and gravy.” Wow! That was a regular meal growing up. Gravy left over from a nice Sunday dinner… We got it Monday on bread. And we liked it. Now, before some dietician or nutrition nut makes a snide remark, remember. Our parents lived through the Great Depression and World War II. We can’t know the sacrifices they made for us… As my years increase, so does my appreciation for all the love Mom and Dad showed us.
“Now thank we all our God… Who from our mothers’ arms / Has blest us on our way / With countless gifts of love / And still is ours today” (Lutheran Service Book, 895:1). I offered to take her out for her birthday, but she wants to cook herself. I wonder what will be on the menu! Happy Birthday, Mom. We love you!
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