A Tribute To Mothers

By James E. Crigger

   Many times we take our mothers for granted.  We feel they have always been there and even though we know that death is inevitable, we feel that it won’t be ‘til later.  I know I was guilty of this.
   Then one day in 1965, I found out the realization of how much more respect and love I could have and should have given to my mother.
   I was in The Army and was on an active alert which meant we couldn’t leave our barracs.  My mother came to see me after her work and brought a cake.  We sat in the car talking and myself being 18 years old and rather stupid, I excused myself and said goodbye.  The truth is, I wanted to go watch a TV program.

   Sometime that evening, The 82nd Airborne was called to a combat zone in The Dominican Republic.  It was just one more “Police Action”.  I had to leave without being allowed to make phone calls and for a while was not able to write letters.
   One day in The Dominican, riding in a “deuce and a half” truck, we were stopped by an MP.  I was taken back to camp and taken to the Commander’s tent.  A Chaplain was there.  I first thought of my Grandmother (we knew what the Chaplain’s visit meant).
   I was asked if my mother had been sick and then told that on June 25th, 1965 she had died.  I found out later that she had a headache, was taken to the hospital by the neighbors and died in the neighbor’s lap on the way to the hospital.  She had a cerebral hemorrhage and died within 30 minutes of the headache.
   I was sent back for her funeral and transferred to another company.  By the time Viet Nam had escalated, I was a “short timer” and never had enough active duty time left to be sent there.  I guess in many ways, my mother’s death kept me out of the combat.  By the way, we received word later that the company I would have gone with had a direct mortar attack on The Supply Tent.  I was a Supply Clerk!
   To this day I have times when I blame myself for the way I acted on that last day I saw her.  I think of what I wish I would have done.  Now, it’s too late.
   I’m sure there are many who share a similar story as mine.  This article is meant for those who still have their mother.  Those who still have time to treat her with the love and respect she deserves.  Do it now.  There may not be a tomorrow.
   Our mothers live to serve their children.  They would die for their children.  And then we move away and visit maybe once a year or when they get older, we put them in an “old folks home” and visit “when we can”.
   Jesus died for your sins.  Your mother lived for you and would have given her life for you.  Can you give her a little more time?  A phone call in not good enough.  A letter is not good enough.  A “when we can” visit is not good enough.  Think about what she gave up for you.  The pain she had giving birth to you.
   You may not be in this category.  If you’re not, praise God.  If you are in this category, it is not too late to change.  If your mother has passed on, remember the loved ones you have that are still alive.
Love has no limits, no time, no extremes.  Remember what I call “The 11th Commandment”  John 13:34-35: “34 A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another.”  35 By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another. LOVE SOMEONE TO CHRIST!