Mom's Page

Meet Mom... She's the greatest lady you would ever want to meet. If ever a person shone with true Goodness and Light, she is it. A Gemini extrovert, she simply loves everyone she meets. And she never, ever, met a stranger! She's 88, nearly 89 now, and the bitterness of life has never reached her.
This in spite of a stroke two years ago. We've done everything right, though, because when you meet her, you know immediately that it is only her knees that are 88. She really isn't mobile at all. Her knees simply have no more connective tissue. But just her knees. The rest is around 35. She can sure outdo me! Especially in her happy outlook.	I envy her that...
Now meet Useless & Pooh Useless, 2.5 years old (a baby), torments Pooh, 21 (a very old man), constantly. Sure keeps me busy shouting. Pooh deserves a quiet life, fine old loving English gentleman that he is. He's so smart and so sweet, that I get in a fury when Useless gets in a high twit.	She lives with me in a house owned by two cats. They allow us to live there so we can feed and pamper them!
I planted her a flower garden in May, since her birthday and Mother's Day both happen in the flower month.	(And I was spoiled by living in England).
Didn't know what I was taking on...
She loves gerber daisies just about better than anything in the world. And hibiscus...	She used to paint these in oils, and what a wonderful job she made of it!

We bought this house in Gainesville nearly two years ago. I wanted one down the street that had 5 bedrooms for the same price. But this 3 bedroom had tiled window sills and a brick front, so nothing else would do for her. She didn't notice everything that was wrong. So what (?), I have to remember. I've solved most of the interior problems now. And it's made her happy. Though sometimes I do wish she hadn't loved tiled window sills!.	Especially when I am trying to find room to put away mine, hers, and our stuff. No easy task.
	One problem, (besides the broken driveway... which I can neither afford to have fixed nor can I figure out how to do cement myself...) is the impossible front yard. No top soil, only sand, and roots by the ton. More roots exposed than I have ever seen in my life.
I even planted GRASS on the sand that we call dirt. But it died, hard as I watered it daily and fed it very regularly. So I planted it again, and it died again. (All these shade trees don't help the effort). But she doesn't see all that. To her, it's simply the closest she ever had to a dream house. (So who needs grass anyway?)
The flowers did thrive, in spite of my brown thumb. And it mattered, because I took her out everyday from Spring 'till late Autumn to get some sun and enjoy watching them grow.
	I'm sure this has aided her health and well-being. Except often the meditative effect of it simply puts her to sleep.
The flowers all died this week. Froze in the highly unusual 21 degree weather we had in Florida. (And yes, they were covered in sheets every night.) I did try, but this winter is getting to be a really bad one. Only the few I brought inside might survive.
	Still, she enjoys them so much that I'll try to buy some more next Spring, if I can... It's a lot of work, but she's worth it. And considering the awful, bare look of the place without all those flowers (left), I want the garden for myself now as well.
I love taking care of her. It's a lot of work, but a delight. She's just good company! I laugh and tell her that I'll give her 18 years of care for free, and then we'll talk about it. After all, that's what she gave me!
Her kindness and her unconditional love is something I treasure above all things.	We have 3 birdfeeders and a birdbath. It has attracted a whole family of red cardinals and lots of doves. She delights in the presence of birds. She loves mothering them as much as mothering the cats.. (As for me, I only wish Useless would learn, like Pooh, that he doesn't need to stalk them. He isn't hungry, after all! And it would mean so many less steps for me, as I always chase him away from there..)
So I know everyday that I am truly blessed by my God to have a Mother like her. I wish everyone on earth could have one like her. Knowing there's so many really bad ones out there makes me appreciate her even more. Her love is truly a bottomless pit!
	She would mother the world if she could. Had we lots of money, there's no doubt where it would go... to 'mother' and help everyone. She's surely the best of the best! So if you find yourself minus a very good Mom (or grandma or great grandma) this Christmas, I'm sure she won't mind if you pretend she belongs to you as well.
If you feel up to it, (...Lightworker that you are), send her an email and say hello. It would make her day! (And maybe help her forget the flowers...)	Her name is Bernice.

Addendum Dec. 24, 2001: In tears, I report that Mom died today. She should and will NOT be forgotten. She lived love. She was love. I am doubly blessed... first, to have known her at all. Second, to have had her as the best Mom ever. I dedicate this to her: "A New Perspective"
The little cares that fretted me, I lost them yesterday Among the fields above the sea, Among the winds at play; Among the lowing of the herds, The rustling of the trees, Among the singing of the birds, The humming of the bees, The foolish fears of what may happen, I cast them all away. Among the clover-scented grass, Among the new-mown hay; Among the husking of the corn Where drowsy poppies nod, Where ill thoughts die and good are born, Out in the fields with God.
-Elizabeth Barrett Browning	Mary Bernice Lopez Sellers May 22, 1912 - Dec. 24, 2001