Dear SCC & Friends,
She opens her mouth in wisdom, and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue. ~Prov.31:26
Update #61
My mother was an amazing person of talent and grit. An Irish-Catholic reared by a single parent in Fitchburg, Massachusetts. Her mom died when she was four years old. She grew up in the midst of The Great Depression and the onset of WWII. Her adult life would make a great novel… crossing the Atlantic in 1946 with a two-year old to be reunited with her wounded husband in Berlin, Germany. Her firstborn was injured at birth, and later she would have two miscarriages. She always remained grounded with hope for the future and faith in God. She was the first person to talk to me about God and His promises. Even as a little boy I knew I needed God, as I was often in trouble awaiting a talk and/or spanking (I deserved the spankings). She was tough but could be very tender and always fair. She was a teacher by profession and a student of life. My brothers and I often reminisce with laughter and respect when we think of mom… Hear, my son, your father’s instruction, and do not forsake your mother’s teaching; indeed, they are a graceful wreath to your head, and ornaments about your neck.~Prov. 1:8-10
There are so many things my mom did for me. Perhaps the greatest gift besides love was instilling confidence. Even if I wasn’t confident about an upcoming challenge, she encouraged me that confidence would come when needed. It’s been 25 years since she went to heaven…Cinco de Mayo, 1996. I can still hear her New England accent on a on hot summer day, “It’s going to be a “skahtcher” (scorcher) today” …or the times she’d pull me aside and talk about whatever she wanted to talk about. I loved to hear her laugh. What a lady…what a mom! She gave her all for the good of others…her family, friends, students and in her case, she never met a stranger.
Scripture tells us to honor our mother…Honor means manifested esteem regardless of perceived shortcomings or limitations. Mary O’Connor Davenport never really knew her own mother, yet in God’s goodness she became a mother who would inspire and enrich not only our family but far beyond. Mother’s Day is a time to give tribute. “Only God Himself fully appreciates the influence of a Christian mother in the molding of character in her children.” ~Billy Graham
Happy Mother’s Day to all the mothers, grandmothers and great grandmothers. You have made all the difference in our lives. Keep up the good work!
Blessings and love,
Kevin