To be like her...

I've been thinking a lot about my mama and the kind of woman she was and wanted to share a few things:

First, she was a great mother! She loved with her whole heart. She hugged me every day. She told me that hugs make you feel better and she was right. She not only hugged me, but all of my friends or anyone she knew that she happened to run into. She told me that she loved me every single day. She played ball with me and friends in the front yard. She danced with us. Most of all, she laughed with us. All of my friends loved her.

My mama was a great cook. Most people think that about their mom's, but mine really was. She made homemade biscuits almost every day. She made the best "from scratch" banana pudding and she let me help her beat the egg whites for the meringue. She always made something hot for me to eat for breakfast.

My mama kept a clean house. You could eat off her floor. There was a place for everything.

My mama loved people. She loved to talk. She was outgoing. She never met a stranger. Even in the last years, she would hardly ever stay in her room. She was always out in the hallways or common areas - wherever the people were.

My mama had lots of energy. She was always moving. After she had her stroke years ago and was in a wheelchair, she kept that chair moving. When she wasn't rolling around, she was pushing the chair up and back with her foot.

In almost every picture I have of my mama, she has her mouth open. I think this is because she was always talking or about to talk.

My mama liked to look good. She always dressed nice and her hair had to be just so. She really worried with that hair! She loved to shop at Belk's. When I was a little girl, we shopped for everything at Belk's in downtown Greenville.

My mama always told me that I could be whatever I wanted to be as long as I worked for it. She told me that I was beautiful and made me believe it. She told me if I acted as pretty as I was, I would do alright. She gave me confidence and encouragement. I could tell her anything. No one loves you like your mama.

I miss her so much. But she is in the presence of the Lord! She is whole! She is pain free! She is walking and talking and praising! I am so thankful for that peace. I will see her again. Until then....I want to be like her.