Beginnings

May Woman, 28th May 2006

 

 May Woman—my Mother, “Bea”, who was born in May 1926; November Girl –me, “Helene”, who was born in November 1958.  This blog is our story—of sorts.  Though still living in Florida with my sister, I can no longer talk to my Mom about cooking, or sewing, or how she grew up, or family history.  On-set dementia has robbed me of her friendship. 

             I wanted to share the life of this humble, sweet, kind woman with anyone who would read about her.  There are so many girls and women who haven’t got a Godly mother who can provide guidance, reassurance, give them life-skills, or teach them faith.  I have been so blessed to been given into the trust and care of “May-Woman”.  And I know my brother and sister feel the same.  Maybe by writing down what she invested into me, how she taught me things, she will become a “virtual” mother to many others. 

                        Primarily, this blog is about relationships—my relationship with my Mom, and her relationship with God and her family. 

                        Solsberry, in Green County lies in the rolling hills of south-western Indiana.  Like her older brother “E.”, Mom was born at home.  She arrived into this world on 31^st May, 1926.  The house was on a farm.  She told me that at the time of her birth, people didn’t believe in going to the hospital to have babies. 

                        Grandpa and Grandma C. moved the family into Bloomfield in about 1928; so Mom would have been about two years old. 

Grandpa C. was a drayman.  Basically that means he used a truck to move goods from the train station to the merchants in town.  Grandma C. helped Grandpa by collecting payments from his customers.  Grandma also helped out by occasionally working in the creamery on the farm.  Most of the time Grandma C. stayed at home and looked after the family. 

                        Grandma taught Mom how to cook, to sew and to keep a clean house.  Those are things that Mom taught her children too. 

                        When Mom was 19, she committed her life to Christ.  Mom’s dream for her life was to have a good marriage and a family, whose children would love each other and be close.  But more than that, she always wanted to obey God and honour Him. Life didn't necessarily work out the way she hoped or desired.  Yet she has never lost her faith in God's goodness and faithfulness.

                        Mom taught me by example how to make a home, how to be a wife, and how to be a friend.  And it is here that I want to share those lessons. 

Serving Jesus, Author of our faith,

“Lady Helene”