Philip and
Susan
Wow, what a graduation. Mother in her yellow
dress with pearls, who could forget. Her confidence in me to give that
speech in front of the entire graduating class and parents – just a little
hot in the gym. The band playing that song 30 times in a row.
Now it’s my turn to raise one of those stubborn-headed boys, and sometimes I just want to call you and say I’m sorry, because I know how it must have been to raise me. I know that the love and confidence that you and Gawgie and Mama gave me is being passed down to another generation.
Swimming lessons. I remember becoming a pretty good little swimmer because of your investment in the VFW and in the little game we played where we would swim under your legs. It taught us a lot, and we thought we were just having fun.
Thank you Mother for all the confidence and support you’ve given me over the years. I know that the trip to the library at age 3 was the start of all that but one things for sure, you always supported and encouraged me. For that, I will always be grateful.
I recall to this day the absolutely exhausted feeling when we would ride our bikes home from swimming at the VFW - - - I’d plop down on the green couch and watch the colorized TV (you know, that green, yellow blue plastic sheet over the black and white TV) and you would graciously fix me 2 hotdogs with mustard and mayonnaise, cut in half properly (that’s another story). Now for a little boy, that’s heaven.
Leaving the nest – I recall the day you took me to Christian Brothers University. I know it was rough on you but you handled it like a pro. Meeting Kevin Peterson and his folks from Illinois was quite interesting and scary, a little.
Cussing – I remember the first cuss word I blurted out in front of the entire family (or at least Mother and Charlotte) as I tried to exclaim that I had worn out my tennis shoes and let everyone know that "My splooes are sh…tting."
School & Sport - Thank you Mother for being the Band Mother and staying active at the school so many years. Your and Shirley’s involvement was also special to Brian and me, even if we never said so. Thanks for letting me play basketball on the Presbyterian Pros, even if Scott and Shawn Smith were many light years better than me. I recall coming home and you were washing TONS of clothes on Saturday, plus 1 sweaty uniform. I remember the constant 4 words of encouragement on Wednesday nights…."Hang up your uniform".
It’s always been fun hanging out with my friend Anne. Even on the long exhausting trip to Hawaii or the interesting time at the Grand Canyon. I think it’s kinda neat to go somewhere special and include your Mom in that time of memory building.
Of course, the weekend laundry service wasn’t bad also. Thanks for typing those fraternity reports that had to be PERFECT and then they would be destroyed. I guess that’s part of the initiation process, realizing you’re not perfect. Thanks for the sacrifices you made for me.
Thanks for the excitement about marrying my wonderful high school sweetheart. Sometimes I think you fell in love with Susan just as quickly as I did.
Other stuff – Orthodontist and dermatologist trips, 4H public speaking contests, band contests, etc. Thanks for carrying me across the state to that faraway town….Bartlett, I believe, or Millington or somewhere like that.
The many trips to the tennis court and tennis team, and band practice and working at Booth Hardware and etc, etc. thanks…
For calling the highway patrol, even though I had assured you the wrecker was coming…mine never did yours did….on the night I turned my life over to Christ.
For being rather ‘not rich’ but making us feel that we were the richest people in the world with all the love you shared with us.
For being an artist, a poet, a photographer, a part
time worker and full-time mom, for sticking with dad, for loving Elizabeth
(especially) and Emily and Jonathan and Susan and Me….
Empty Nest
by Anne Babin
I am here,
more than halfway,
At the End
of the Beginning —
Twenty-seven years
they’ve been
Here — at first five,
Now only one, and he
will go soon.
I am here,
more than halfway,
At the End of
the Beginning —
My life wrapped in
theirs, now
Not as much. I reach out
For a new beginning
and I know
It will come,
but not as much
Fun as before —
Their exuberance,
their cares and
Adventures — part of mine.
Nothing Can truly
fill the void.
But we were Close, and they return
to
share and love.
And I am here,
more than halfway,
At the End
of the Beginning.
Thanks!
I Love You!!
We love you !!!!