Walk With Me
I remember walking with my mother, Betty Catherine (Wise) Case,
through our beautiful snow clad neighborhood one night back in the early 70s. I
couldn’t’ of been any older than fifteen- With the Street lights in the area
where my family lived catching and revealing every big snowflake’s graceful descent.
I was still in early high school or late junior high. Mother has always tried to give some time to us,
her five children’s lives as best she could. Sauntering with ease we crunched
along through the snow feeling the softness under our boots. She remembered and
spoke of her childhood and youth in northern Minnesota. What a privileged gift these times together. Still
the gift goes on one step at a time. She is still my mother whom walks along as
best she can and sometimes I am allowed a place by her side.
Colors of laughter, conversations- layers of memories sometimes
spill forth. More gifts for her sake she shares. Many as we drive down the road
weekly when I come to pick her up in my car. She needs the exercise and I swim a
few laps at the local aquatic center in Woodburn. With shopping afterward for yarn, flannel,
groceries, and an occasional prescription filled for my Dad. By the time we
have lunch and make unexpected extra stops it seems amazing that we get back in
time for mom to make her and Dad’s supper. But, for both her and me it is so
good to get out and have a change of pace.
If one were to ask my mom what she
remembers as the greatest gift of her young life growing up it would be her one
and only sibling, Beatrice Carol- Carol for short- born on Christmas day. Now the hole in my mom’s heart is sad and
happy at the same time. She has even called me Carol when at times speaking of
her.
Mother and Aunt Carol grew up with great beauty in their lives,
particularly the ability to sing. All throughout their schooling and church
they sang in large and small choirs, choral groups and different churches all
over the area where they grew up. My
mother told me recently that she sang the song, 'My God and I', for her school’s graduation
ceremony back in 1951. She also remembered one of the boys she knew labeling her as, “the girl with the golden tonsils.' A couple years back
when going back to Minnesota for a family reunion I was able to meet my mother’s
choir director and instructor who was in a nursing home. We both knew that she
was not expected to live much longer being about one hundred years old, so
being able to see her was so special. The lady knew who my mom was and it was
very emotional. Mother and I sang her a song with many tears all around.
More gifts and colors have come forward from the past into the
future within my mother’s life. Fabric laid out to sew clothes for her children
when we were all home and growing up has processed into the present. Now my
sister Lori and I meet in Salem at Joann’s fabrics when mom and I come into
town where my sister lives. Mom needs a little help to pick out a good amount
of baby flannel for baby blankets, burp clothes and the like. This is part of
her personal mission now for the last many years. She donates the fruit of her
hands to a pregnancy center, hospital, and to various other needs in the
community.
If that were not enough she works on her Samaritan’s Purse
Christmas shoe boxes every year and donates about fifteen all packed with
goodies to sweet children in need to ring in the holidays. Any place we visit
together is also opportunity to give away one of her gorgeous crocheted hats.
Why not spread the joy? The homeless have been given McDonalds gift cards and
lovely crocheted hats from my mum’s own hand.
Upon arrival back at the ranch we pick up the mail right at the
entry corner of my folks drive. Then the chicken house we see at the end and
stop. So much of the time a chicken or two is cruising about the coop and
habitat. I have gotten good at luring them through the door by throwing corn
out into a raised gravel spot. The next step is to gather the eggs; (between
nine and fourteen,) bring them in and clean them up. This blessed gal loves the
gift of giving. Yes, Mom does so much and we, her five grown kids know it.
She
and daddy need help but that’s what we’re here for. The end of this month we
five will be having a yard and garden clean up party out at their place. My pop
takes such satisfaction in his farm, gardens, and nursery being in tip top
shape. So while it is today let’s love those our Holy God gives us. How do we
measure value? It is found as a kernel within the opportunities we have to
bless.
Kathy Van Kurin
March, 2019
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