Back Porch Musings: MOTHERS' DAY

Mother was born in 1922, in the beautiful Ozarks. At birth she was so tiny, it was said, she would fit in a shoe box. She was spunky from the beginning. I guess she had to be. She never grew taller than 4'11" and weighed little more than 90 pounds, most of her adult life. When she was 4 years old, she contracted Typhoid Fever. Upon her recovery, she had lost most of her hair. When it grew back, it was almost black and very curly.

As a young girl, Mother was quite athletic. She loved to play baseball and basketball. Mother was also an accomplished roller skater.

Mother and my father married in the early 1940's. She gave birth to two daughters. I am the eldest. In time, she raised us, as a single parent. Her spunkiness was definitely a valuable asset during our formative years!

Mother was a nurse. In the early years, she worked in hospitals. Late in her career, she worked for a home health agency, as a visiting nurse. She drove the back roads of the Ozarks, caring for home bound patients.

She adored her grandchildren and great grandchildren, who called her Granny.

Mother passed away in June, 2005, at the age of 83. Her hair was still almost as dark as it was, when she was 4. The pastor of a small, rural Baptist Church, officiated at her service. This wonderful country preacher, using scripture and anecdotes, told Mother's story in the beautiful, almost forgotten, language of her beloved Ozarks.

We miss her.
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National Mothers' Shrine

Saturday, May 5, we visited the National Mothers' Shrine in Laurie, Missouri. It is located on the grounds of The Shrine of St Patrick. From Memorial Weekend through Labor Day Weekend, people of all faiths enjoy outdoor services, here.

The photo grids show scenes from around the grounds. It's a beautiful, peaceful place, in the Missouri Ozarks.