Maineville Lighthouse Church

From the Parsonage…

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            May is here, and so is our Ladies Spring

Tea! April was so busy that we put the Tea on the

back burner, so to speak, but now, it’s here!  Due

to celebrating Mother’s Day this month, our theme

is “Mothers.” Every lady attending is asked to bring

along something that reminds her of her mother for

the display. This can be an item, a picture, a gift, a

letter, or even a recipe! 

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            The older I get, the more I grow to appreciate not only my mother, but my grandmothers, who were truly examples in my life.  I am constantly finding things that remind me of each of them and the fact that they were very different people.

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            My mother was the youngest of 13 children, some of whom were old enough to be her parents.  Obviously, she was doted on as the baby and had more opportunities than her older siblings.  Although she grew up on a farm in Maryland, she graduated early and moved to Baltimore, where she got a job at the Red Cross in Washington, D.C.  She was only 17 when she met and married my Dad, and he, in turn, doted on her for    74 years!  She was always the youngest and most attractive mom when I was in school, and I used to joke that her job was to be “cute.”  She passed away just before her 92nd birthday, and she was still doing her hair and makeup!

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            Her mother was my dearly loved Grandma Hobbs, and she actually influenced me more than my own mom, since we lived on the farm with her while my dad was in the service.  She was a strong woman who had been widowed twice and was totally capable of doing anything that was needed.  She also had a heart of gold, constantly taking in stray cats, dogs, and even people.  My earliest memories include two elderly

women Grandma brought back from the County Home, “Old George,” the farm worker who helped raise my mom, and “Young George,” who took over that job with me.  To this day, I miss my Grandma, and she died when I was only six!

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            My Grandma Howard was my dad’s mother, and I became very close to her when we moved from Maryland back to his hometown, Middletown, Ohio.  She and Grandpa were part of the Appalachian movement from Kentucky to Ohio during WWI, and, for years, Grandpa’s brothers and their wives moved in as they also made the move.  She used to tell me there were times she never knew how many folks she’d be feeding in addition to her own four children, but times were rough and you did what you had to.  I still fold aluminum foil after I use it, because that’s what Grandma Howard did!

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            Every generation has its changes and challenges…I can only pray that I am half as good an example to my children and grandchildren as the women who went before me!

 

Blessings,

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Dona

         

“Her children arise and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her.”

Proverbs 31:28

   

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