A Belated Mother's Day Tribute to My Mom Evelyn (1915-2006)

Evelyn at age 25, 1940

Because you carried me home from kindergarten in a blizzard,

I learned trust.

Evelyn and Pam, 1943

Because you volunteered as Brownie leader and supplied store-boughts for meetings,

I saw dependability.

Because you donated a nickel as my neighborhood newspaper’s first customer,

I felt pride.

Because you designed campaign posters for my student government election,

I witnessed creativity.

Because you quizzed me before tests in school,

I acquired readiness.

Because you welcomed girlfriend sleep-overs in the living room and teenage “cider” parties on the lawn,

I developed self-confidence.

Because you typed my compositions till midnight and went to work in the morning,

I gained self-discipline.

Pam and Evelyn at grandson Todd's wedding, 2000

Because you organized details of my wedding so I could finish my college degree,

I found gratitude.

Because you provided a home for your ailing parents,

I saw devotion.

Because you offered me shelter while Charley went to war in a place we’d never heard of,

I tasted fidelity.

Because you baked your grandsons lop-sided birthday cakes and never refused to babysit,

I knew unconditional love.

Because you and Dad said “I love you” each night before you slept,

I heard eternity.

Pam's Mom and Dad, 1995

Happy Mother’s Day, Mom, from all of us who remember.