LOVING MEMORIES...
by Esther
.... SUNRISE: beautiful early summer morning in our hometown, Marion, Ohio, taken June 30, 2011, in one of my daily walks.
"OH. There is gladness and sunshine in my soul today. When Jesus shows His smilingly face there is sunshine in my soul."
What a glorious and beautiful day to get my Vitamin D, directly from the sun this morning, enjoying the outdoors....after weeks and weeks of unpredictable weather, rain, storm, cloud, sunshine, etc.
Before sunrise today, after my early devotion & a refreshing drink of "yummy" strawberry & banana smoothie, I couldn't resist but open once again an envel0pe with handwritten letters/notes of my dear "tokaya." My mom-in-law used to call me tokaya, meaning, "name-sake." We are both Esthers.
Easy to remember her birthday...for it's the end of June (30'th) and at the same time my father-in-law's funeral. Coincidentally, both passed away the same day, (March 22 and June 22) but different month & year. Sad not to see her in person...can't give her birthday wishes for she can't hear me now. But no regrets, I said what I could possibly say (lots of "I love you," in words and action ) when still alive. Yes, gone were the days but I can still bring back the sweet and treasured memories we shared with each other when we were able to.
What inspired me most today is about what ma wrote before leaving us: "I am praying I won't be a burden to them (her children). I occupy the best room in the house, it faces East, and I have all the sunshine early in the morning."
Ma, worked as much as she was able to. What a caring & loving person she was. While reading these hand written notes to her children, I had tears in my eyes. Tears of Joy. A mother's wish to all her children who loved her so very much. She wanted not to be a burden to anyone, especially financially.
This she further wrote which lifted my spirits up: "When pa passed away, yes, there was much help from the brethren, but there was much more to settle. Ben, bore all the burden (financial) then. I don't want this to happen as I can save for my own." For someone to say that her son was generous enough in love and in material things, any wife (like me) would feel contentment and happiness--with the precious thought of a loving & caring Ma.
She had a very neat, nice and easy to read hand-writing. Her way of expressing her thoughts, make me read them over and over again. Precious!
First time I met her was in a science class in PUC under Vener Cabana and substitute teacher, Gloria Ordas. It never crossed my mind then, that someday, we would end up being related, through my marriage to her eldest son, Ben.
Happy Independence Day to you all. Enjoy the sunny summer days of July!
