Mom’s 100th Birthday
Today, Tuesday, January 24th, would have been my Mother's 100th Birthday. She died 14 years ago at age 86 and we miss her dearly. She was the ultimate “loving disciplinarian” who would make sure we behaved properly (most of the time) but used a firm hand in a teaching manner. Then whenever more severe parental instruction was needed, Dad would be brought in as the “enforcer” with the infamous paddle! Mom & Dad met after WWII and were married in 1947 as shown in the photo below in front of the former St. Patrick’s church.
The Catholic faith was the foundation of their loving relationship and how they raised their family of 5 children. Mom was dedicated to the Blessed Mother and would pray the rosary regularly, especially during Lent when the entire family would gather together every weekday night to toggle through the beads and recite the mysteries. The following photo was taken by my Dad showing us with our parish priest, Fr. Raterman (I’m the one with glasses in the back with the ball glove on my hand). About that same time, Father had been teaching me Latin in preparation for becoming a mass server. He needed a lot of patience, but that basic training set the stage eventually for me to fluently read and understand such Latin tomes as Julius Caesar and Homer's Iliad & Odyssey during high school, all since forgotten, of course!
My Mother loved her family unconditionally. She really enjoyed spending time with her 10 brothers and sisters, especially with her three sisters pictured below (Mom upper right) celebrating the end of WWII in 1945. And most of all, she enjoyed our family get-togethers on the farm commemorated in the family photo below next to the Mile Creek running through our farm with the house and barn in the background.
Mom always had a lush flower and vegetable garden, using the fresh produce to cook three square meals a day for our family. Of course, as kids we did our share of tending to the garden and helping her cook, while also assisting Dad feed the livestock and tend to the crops. It was fun growing up on the farm (for the most part) and the memories come flooding back as we commemorate Mom’s 100th birthday. After us kids were grown, Mom & Dad were blessed with a long and enjoyable retirement spending time traveling, playing cards and partying with family and friends. The Halloween photo below represents a typical example.
Happy Birthday, Mom. This prayer is in your honor. Rest in peace.
Love,
Dave
Proverbs 31: The Wife of Noble Character
10 [b]A wife of noble character who can find?
She is worth far more than rubies.
11 Her husband has full confidence in her
and lacks nothing of value.
12 She brings him good, not harm,
all the days of her life.
13 She selects wool and flax
and works with eager hands.
14 She is like the merchant ships,
bringing her food from afar.
15 She gets up while it is still night;
she provides food for her family
and portions for her female servants.
16 She considers a field and buys it;
out of her earnings she plants a vineyard.
17 She sets about her work vigorously;
her arms are strong for her tasks.
18 She sees that her trading is profitable,
and her lamp does not go out at night.
19 In her hand she holds the distaff
and grasps the spindle with her fingers.
20 She opens her arms to the poor
and extends her hands to the needy.
21 When it snows, she has no fear for her household;
for all of them are clothed in scarlet.
22 She makes coverings for her bed;
she is clothed in fine linen and purple.
23 Her husband is respected at the city gate,
where he takes his seat among the elders of the land.
24 She makes linen garments and sells them,
and supplies the merchants with sashes.
25 She is clothed with strength and dignity;
she can laugh at the days to come.
26 She speaks with wisdom,
and faithful instruction is on her tongue.
27 She watches over the affairs of her household
and does not eat the bread of idleness.
28 Her children arise and call her blessed;
her husband also, and he praises her:
29 “Many women do noble things,
but you surpass them all.”
30 Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting;
but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.
31 Honor her for all that her hands have done,
and let her works bring her praise at the city gate.
She is worth far more than rubies.
11 Her husband has full confidence in her
and lacks nothing of value.
12 She brings him good, not harm,
all the days of her life.
13 She selects wool and flax
and works with eager hands.
14 She is like the merchant ships,
bringing her food from afar.
15 She gets up while it is still night;
she provides food for her family
and portions for her female servants.
16 She considers a field and buys it;
out of her earnings she plants a vineyard.
17 She sets about her work vigorously;
her arms are strong for her tasks.
18 She sees that her trading is profitable,
and her lamp does not go out at night.
19 In her hand she holds the distaff
and grasps the spindle with her fingers.
20 She opens her arms to the poor
and extends her hands to the needy.
21 When it snows, she has no fear for her household;
for all of them are clothed in scarlet.
22 She makes coverings for her bed;
she is clothed in fine linen and purple.
23 Her husband is respected at the city gate,
where he takes his seat among the elders of the land.
24 She makes linen garments and sells them,
and supplies the merchants with sashes.
25 She is clothed with strength and dignity;
she can laugh at the days to come.
26 She speaks with wisdom,
and faithful instruction is on her tongue.
27 She watches over the affairs of her household
and does not eat the bread of idleness.
28 Her children arise and call her blessed;
her husband also, and he praises her:
29 “Many women do noble things,
but you surpass them all.”
30 Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting;
but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.
31 Honor her for all that her hands have done,
and let her works bring her praise at the city gate.
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