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Mom
by Richard L. Provencher A mother is precious, companion to a husband, care-giver to her children, full of love, arms surrounding like a blanket dipped in goodness. Some would contest this opening overview; others may consider the characterization as frivolous. However we know from experience the first sentence is true about our mom. Growing older develops wisdom and we learn to read between the lines. To understand is to evoke living truths which finally overtake us. Remembering words of feeling such as " You will know the love of a parent when you become one." And sadly the years pass swiftly before the statement becomes valid. Mom, we know you were not perfect, yet who is? You tried so hard to be there for us and we thank you. We came to realize how much you loved us. We do miss you until we meet again. ** Snippets of Home Events: Aggiesall colours, all sizes, fighting over them, mom throwing a hairy and pitching a whole basket outside into the snow. After she left for work we set out with flashlights digging in the snow, us children deciding to be serene, then getting along quite well. Cowboys and Indians--Gene Autry and Roy Rogers were popular. We built 'camps' of twigs and blankets across Montreal St. where humps of land looked wild and huge. We chased, captured then tied each other up. Ah ha, gotcha. In the winter smaller children used those humps to slide down. The older kids went to Boutour's Farm, just behind the humpy hills, and the leader of the sliders was "Rubberneck" Hatfield. His first name was really Gordie. It was a fun time. Bonnie was a 'leader of many girls and she led her young charges in various chasing games around the neighbourhood. I could never figure out where they were going, but it involved a lot of noise and scurrying about. The Veteran's Townsite had NOISY metal stairs that made such a racket as we thundered down then up, going to and returning from our various adventures. And when the downstairs tenants pounded on our floor with a broom, we pounded back. Patricia dolled up Whiskers, with bonnet and doll clothes, wrapped him in a blanket and pushed him around in her doll carriage. He loved attention. Never mind he was the size of a cougar and could wrestle any alley cat that dared cross his path. Dennis and cousin David spent much time together. They went for a weekend at grandpa's camp. One night Police called mom and dad. An older boy, about 18 involved in two outboards crashing together died of a heart attack, at the scene. Both boats were badly damaged. Had my first water skiing at Uncle Ray's camp. He inherited it?? From granddad. I think Shirley was driving the Peterborough outboard. Really fun. I finally convinced everyone I could drive the boat. Went around and around until motor fell off. I thought Uncle Ray was going to squeeze me into a jar of pickles. Bonnie and her gang of henchwomen did play lots of games around the busy neighbourhood. One was to hold your breath, and someone grab you from behind and give you a bear hug squeeze. That caused dizziness and falling. Everyone played cowboys and Indians. The sounds of cap guns and "GOT YOU" rang as echoes throughout the back yards. And we had contests to see who could imitate the most realistic groans and moans as we fell on the ground. ** MOM - Your Children Remember YOU: Letting us dunk cookies in our glasses of milk at the kitchen table; Laughing as you watched us lick the icing from our oreo cookies; Helping us bake cookies, especially peanut butter ones; Giving us the eye, until we pushed elbows away from our table space; Feasting after you came home with Chinese Food from Dick Woo's; Shaking your head after we melted plastic toys on the hallway grill; Running from a spider after you chased it down the hallway; You screaming after you realized I had two live pike in the bathtub; Smiling when I put neighbourhood cats in our basement to chase mice; You saying "Run!" after lighting the new oil stove, hoping it wouldn't explode; Your shock after discovering our gerbil made a nest in the collar of your fur coat; Yummy sandwiches you made for Moose Bay Beach; the ones the dog ate. Our family in the living room listening to Boston Blackie on the radio; Cuddling up on the couch with our family, looking at our first TV in 1955; When you sprinkled Holy Water in each room during a thunderstorm. ** The above are fond memories about a much-loved mother who passed away peacefully on September 7, (1921-2008) at Bonnechere Manor, Renfrew, Ontario. Mom, both you and dad are forever in your children's memories. And may both of you rest in peace. * * * Richard L. Provencher 2008 Richard enjoys writing poems; many of which have been published in Print and Online. He and his wife, Esther are also co-authors of stories and a print novel. They are "born again" Christians and very busy in their church, Abundant Life Victory International, in Bible Hill, Nova Scotia. Article Source: http://www.faithwriters.com |