THE JOYS OF MOTHERHOOD
By Alonia Jones
While there are many gifts that can be bestowed upon women, perhaps the greatest is that of being a mother. To me, it is sheer joy. In fact, it’s almost indescribable! I have been given the wonderful task of interviewing a few mothers so that I may present this article to you. Each one shared beautiful reflections of their dear mothers and how their influences have impacted their own motherhood. It is my sincere hope that these reflections will warm your heart and brighten your day.
Linda Dean – Atlanta, Georgia
Mother: Ruby Anderson
Children: Cammie Blackmon and Cory Kyser
I will forever appreciate the sacrifice my mother, Ruby Anderson, made to ensure that all her children were in church regularly. We were there for Sunday School, Bible Study and church services faithfully. What was interesting, though, was that my daddy would never come. Yet, that didn’t stop my mother from asking.
I remember one day we were all at church; without Daddy, of course. Before any of us knew anything, he walked into the church and gave his heart to the Lord. From that time on, he and my mama served the Lord together.
After I got older, I strayed away from the church. I know it was the seeds my mother planted in me that led me back to God. She died very young (age 55.) But even so, I’m so glad I can recognize that the wisdom she had was actually the gift of the prophecy. This gift, which is the greatest she could have ever bestowed, has now been passed through the generations, even to my grand-kids. For this, I shall be forever grateful.
Victoria Wheeler – Atlanta, Georgia
Mother: Geraldine Grady
Children: Brittany Bailey and Jarica Hunter
My mother, Geraldine Grady, was a very honest, straightforward and caring person. I did not realize the extent of her concern for others until she passed away. I still marvel at how people have shared stories of what a wonderful person she was. One that amazed me the most was how she put her life on the line just to save someone else. The owner of a downtown grocery store told me that two guys came in to rob the store. My mother courageously stood between the gun and the lady and told the young man, “This is not going to happen today. You all are going to leave this lady alone. Go on out the store and act like this didn’t happen.”
This was only one of the ways she stood up for people that would never stand up for themselves. As the oldest of eight kids, she did the same for her siblings. Standing up and respecting others is what I instill in my kids. People said my mom fed and clothed them and even paid their bills. I’ll forever remember her loving spirit and her wit.
Velma Parks – Atlanta, GA
Mother: Cora E. Childs Reese
Children: Lala Harrison (deceased), Alonia Jones, Micheal Parks
Growing up in Auburn, Alabama, my mother, Cora Reese, would sit me down around the fireplace and talk about the facts of life and her upbringing. Each night, she would read the Bible to me and explain the passages. She often told me, “Get an education and learn to do some things for yourself. That way, if your marriage doesn’t work, you won’t have to depend upon someone else for a handout.”
On Sunday mornings before church, Ma would fix us a hearty meal: rice and pork chops some days, fish and grits on others. She kept us involved in everything the church had to offer, and she was very strict about us going to the movies on Sunday, a day to be reserved as sacred. She was so serious about our relationship with God that she made me go back and “tarry” when I joined the church because she said she wasn’t convinced I was for real. So I went back and prayed and sang until I knew for sure that I had an encounter with God. My life has never been the same. I can only hope that I have made as many deposits in my own children and grandchildren lives.
