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Mother’s Day – old Journeys from the back of the bulletin – circa 2003: OK, OK, so I was spoiled. Growing up, both my grandmothers made sure we three Karges boys knew that our mom was, “Too good to us.” They wanted us to appreciate what we had. But sometimes it’s only when you look back that you realize your blessings. Now that I have my own children I appreciate my Mom more than the two Grandmas could have ever conceived. Mom has always been there for us. Our clothes were just always there in the drawer ready to go. Those football pants and baseball jerseys were overnight, magically cleaned of all traces of grass stains and mud. Three hot meals a day were at the table when we finally dragged ourselves up the stairs from the basement after the fifth or sixth call to come and eat. Mom was there to haul three boys to three different schools and three different team practices and games. Mom helped with homework and typed and edited every paper I ever wrote up through that first year in college. Mom was the one who was intricately involved with all of our lives as advocate and advisor. Mom was the one who talked this scared skinny sixth grader into running the mile for the first time. Mom was there to help haul the drum set to and from school. Mom still comes and helps get the house ready for company. I’ve never seen under the refrigerator or behind the stove, ‘cause when she comes to help, I know she’s been there, done that. I can’t thank God enough for my Mom. Now Mom is grandma to my kids. And I overheard her the other day telling them that they don’t appreciate their mother enough. I smell a conspiracy. Here’s the prayer for Mother’s Day from our United Methodist Book of Worship: For our mothers, who have given us life and love, that we may show them reverence and love, we pray to the lord . . . For mothers who have lost a child through death, may their faith give them hope, and their family and friends support and console them, we pray to the Lord . . . For women, though without children of their own, who like mothers have nurtured and cared for us, we pray to the Lord . . . For mothers, who have been unable to be a source of strength who have not responded to their children and have not sustained their families, we pray to the Lord. Loving God, as a mothers give life and nourishment to her children, so you watch over your church. Bless these women, that they may be strengthened as Christian mothers. Let the example of their faith and love shine forth. Grant that we, their sons and daughters, may honor them always with a spirit of profound respect. Grant this through Christ our Lord. Amen. Here’s another Journeys article from the back of the bulletin, Mother’s Day 2004. Cindy has been gone for 12 days representing Nebraska and serving her church at the General Conference meeting in Pittsburgh. Her absence has given our family a unique opportunity to really know what she means to us on this Mother’s Day. So I thought I’d ask my kids what they missed about their Mama. My succinct seventh grade son Zack said, “I miss seeing her face.” Being the more practical one, he also said he missed her, “Cleaning up and driving us places.” Our baby, eight year old Emily said she missed watching TV and getting in the hot-tub with her Mama. Emily is also the only child who’s got our cell phone numbers memorized and she called her Mama in Pittsburgh on a daily basis to tell her in her best whiney voice that, “I really miss you Mama!” Katie, our 15 year old said she missed talking with her Mama as they watch Letterman and Leno together in our bed while I’m in my late night reading chair in the living room. The teenagers also agreed that they missed how she laughs when she’s nervous and cries at anything on T.V. This is the longest Cindy and I have ever been apart from each other. Cell phone relationships are better than nothing, but that’s about it. I miss her being there, just being herself. I’ve missed having someone to listen to. I’ve missed having someone to talk to. I’ve missed having someone to tease and play with. I’ve joked before that our decision making pattern has always been that I’m the risk taker and she’s the perfect-or. I have no problem making a decision, then she tells me whether I’m right or not. I kinda’ hate having to say this out loud, but I’ve missed having a second opinion on things. In the church we use each other as sounding boards for the fifty million little decisions we make each week. I know that being missed means a lot to Cindy. Her Dad died when she was three. Her whole life, the only way she’s had to express her love for him has been to miss him. Our Mother’s Day gift to you this year Cindy, is that we missed you – a lot! Grace & Peace, Rev. Kelly Karges Sr. Pastor