Chilson Family

Today marks the one year anniversary of my mother's death.  It has been a hard year.  "They" say the first year is always the hardest.  I suppose it is, since it is the first of everything without your loved one. I know our family has only been able to make it through this year because of the Lord.  He has sustained us and comforted us.  Sometimes I thought it was wrong to cry for my mother.  But I know the Lord understands my tears.  He knows that my tears were not ones of anger, but out of missing someone who made a big impact on my life.  I miss the woman who made me and shaped me to who I am today.  I miss the woman who gave up a nursing career to stay home and raise a family. (And she never regretted it!)  She and my dad taught us to love God with all our hearts and were a great example to follow. So, today begins the march of the second year without Mom.  I know that one day I will be reunited with her.  I k...

So, tomorrow is Mother's Day.  My mom is spending Mother's Day with Jesus.  I have no mother to call and wish a Happy Mother's Day.  That is going to be really hard tomorrow.  But..I spent the day with my little sister!  We had a good time.  We ate at a local chain resturant, went to the educational store, children's resale shop and the a local beauty supply store.  The best part...we remembered Mom!  We smiled and held back tears.  We laughed and tried not to cry...guess we will do that in private when our heads hit the pillow tonight. Tomorrow I will spend the day at church and then lunch with the majority of my children.  I will be queen for the moment and return to my normal duties by the end of the day.  That's fine with me.  You see, I am the mom.  "Mother of Miracles", "Mean ol' Mom", what have you.  My job title has ups and downs.  I love it, they love it....

Today would have been my mother's 80th birthday.  She was born eight days following the death of her father.  He was aviator and was teaching a student to fly.  Twice the man froze at the controls, but the second time it claimed the life of two men, leaving two families without husbands/fathers. My mother was blessed to be raised by her mother, grandparents and many aunts and uncles.  I know she missed the man she never knew and all she had to remember him by was his broken, smoked stained goggles, and a few small items that was saved by an aunt for her from the wreck. I believe this great tragedy in Mother's life was used to shape and make her the woman who gave birth to and raised four children.  I am so thankful that God gave me a loving mother who always wanted the best, not just for her children, but grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. Even though she is not with me, I want to say "Thanks Mom, I love you!"

Tomorrow is my mom's funeral.  It will be the last time I see her sweet precious face until I reach heaven's shores.  Tomorrow 31 of her 39 grandchildren will be singing "Victory in Jesus".  (In our family there are no in-laws.  You marry into the family, that's it, you are family.  So out of the 39 grands and great-grands 8 have married into the family!)  The grands were practicing tonight, and I could have sworn that I saw Mom's 'smile' getting bigger.  Okay, maybe not, but if it could have it would have.  Yep, she would be proud. I know she is not here, but I just have to say it, "I love you, Mommy!"

My Mother's Gentle Love by Ron Hamilton Who puts a band-aid on my knee? Who holds me close so tenderly? Who always sees the best in me? There’s no one like mother. Who always wipes my tears away? Who tells me I’ll be great some day? Who cares in such a gentle way? There’s no one like mother. My mother’s gentle love, my mother’s gentle love Has taught me of God’s tender care, and turned my eyes above. I’ll bless her all my days for all her gentle ways. Oh, how I thank my Lord above for my mother’s gentle love. Today is my mother's viewing, and tomorrow is her funeral.  The song above so much describes my mom.  She loved her four children so very much!  Before she had children, she was a nurse for "special care" babies~~"old" term for NICU.  Once she started having children she gave  up her career to stay at home and raise her own babies. Thanks, Mom! Thank you, Daddy, for allowing Mom to stay at home and raise us four children! My mother and her mo...

Wow.  Tomorrow is December first.  November has gone by so fast, even with the events of the last five days.  Tomorrow will be Mom's showing, Friday will be her funeral.  Then we start a new normal, which will be the hardest on my sister and dad.  I am sure Daddy is feeling a bit lost because he is home and her medical bed and pumps are there and she is not. So, last day of November...I am thankful for my Bible.  My precious Word of God.  It brings comfort, conviction and love.  To think that I hold in my hands the history of mankind.  The past, present and future all rolled up in one history book...His story!  If I did not have my precious Bible I don't know what I would do. Thank you God for your precious Word!