Mother's Day was yesterday. I was reminiscing about when I was younger. This is a picture of my Grandmother in whom we called Granny. The little girl was not me, but a cousin of mine's daughter. We were visiting at some point. I'm not sure why, but someone snapped this picture. I treasure this picture.
Yesterday I wrote a post on Facebook which I want to share. It was from my heart. We currently are in a global pandemic, so they say. It feels very strange as people are dying but not with the usual increased numbers in this country. That's another post. With that said, we are still in "lock down" even though they are calling it "stay safe". We can leave our house, go to the grocery, essential travel. However the state in which I live is now beginning to open. We did get to see our daughter and her family on Saturday. They came over and we ate together. It was a special time to have our youngest granddaughter running around our house again.
I wanted to share the post I wrote in honor of my Mother and Grandmother. Maybe not for your benefit, but mine. Memories.
Sorry this is long. But I've been reminiscing today.
I was cleaning one of my rooms and found this picture of my Grandmother. They called her Bina. She was born in the late 1800's. She was 4'11", had all 4 of her children at home. I think I was told all were around 8 lbs. As a labor and delivery nurse, I can't imagine. All lived and were healthy. As I have been reading about this generation of Mom's and how hard it has been for them... I'm sure to them it is real hard. However, we today have all the things and conveniences that make life easy. Like a washing machine, microwave, heat in the house, etc. My Grandmother had none of those things early in those years. I remember going to her house and she finally got a "wringer" washer. I know most don't know what that it. The washing machine had an agitator, but I remember my mother helping her with the washing and feeding the clothes through 2 rollers which squeezed the water out. Then they hung the clothes on the clothesline. Sorry no drier and she lived in the mountains of NC. It snowed a lot in the winter there. Then she ironed everything. Even the sheets. The iron was a cast iron that they put in a hot stove. When I was young, she used that iron to keep the door open. There was electricity then. I am not that old. LOL.
She and her family went through WW1. She lost her 1st husband from an injury to war. She had 1 daughter with that husband. Later got remarried to my Grandfather, Radford Harrison Townsend. I remember him well. Such a kind man and loved and studied God's word. He passed away when I was 12. She then had 3 more children. My mother was the 3rd born. I was talking to my Mother this week and we spoke about those years and what she went through. My Grandmother went through the worst flu ever known to the world in 1918. The Spanish flu. Many many more people died than what we are seeing so far. Then she went through the Great Depression. I can't begin to imagine. My Mother has told me about those times. She turned 90 this year so she remembers those days. Not to mention polio. I do know people who had polio. I was born in 1958 so I had that vaccine pretty early on. We of that age have the marks on our arms from the vaccine . Lots of kids died and my Mother said she was so scared for her children. My oldest brother was born in 1949.
Fast forward to today, I came from very strong "stock" of women. Hard working women. Both were stay at home Moms and both raised 4 kids. They both worked their gardens so that we kids could all eat. Did their own chores, and raised their kids while their husbands hopefully had work.
The 2nd picture is my Mother. I don't remember how old she said she was in that picture. The next is my family as I was growing up. I probably was in 2nd grade or so.
I'm so thankful to be a granddaughter and daughter from 2 amazing Godly women. My grandmother cooked for more than 1 preacher at her house over the years. She was the "Martha" while the men sat around and talked about God. My Mom has incredible memories of those days. My Mother is one of the Godliest women I have ever met. We have had much discussion about the Bible these last couple of months. She's still teaching me. Especially about Revelations.
So mothers of today? Have you really had it that hard during this pandemic? I know you aren't used to cooking, homeschooling, etc. Remember your stories of your Great Grandmother's, Grandmothers, and yes your Mom. This day and time, we do have it pretty easy. Most of us are very safe from this virus. This country has had much much worse in it's history. I do pray it doesn't get any worse.
I just want to say, let's honor our Mothers. I for sure have not come close to what my Mother has been through. Definitely can't touch my Grandmother. She did not have a microwave and my fancy oven I have now and I'm in my 60's. Let's leave our daughters and sons great memories. What a great time to be with your children. May these days be days that your kids will remember the rest of their lives. Not just how scary it is. Yes it has been and still is. But may our kids and grandkids remember how they got to cook, clean, and have school with their Moms. Just spending time with them. Making memories.
Happy Mother's Day to all mothers young and old. Let's appreciate what our forefathers had to go through to make us free and give us the life we now have.
I love you Mother and wished I could be there with you.
Deana
