The 12th has passed and no birthday celebration or trip to anywhere. This date of mom’s birthday but she passed from this life back in 2007.
My birthday is two days after and I would joke that I was her birthday gift.
Mom and dad raised eight kids four boys four girls. Now there are only four daughters and one son left.
I had seen in the news about women fighting for their reproductive rights. They claim the government has taken them away. Not so they still have them.
They were not sterilized or given forced abortions. Though over the ages some have such as with native people among others. History is a forgotten thing until it serves your own purpose.
We as a country and people do have a sad history. As do other countries too.
Mom and dad faced the same things as others had to. They grew up during the dust bowl days and lived through the depression and just life in general. With each new baby more resources were needed to clothe, feed, and board us.
I remember beans, and taters both fried and boiled. Meat came from the occasional deer and butchered pig along with rabbits, squirrels, and fish. Wild onion, Polk salad and other greens and berries too.
Along with some commodities which came our way.
Clothes that had patches from hand me downs-handed down till even the patches wore-out.
From log cabins with no indoor plumbing, or electricity, to finally an NDN home. We lived where mom and dad could afford to keep a roof over our heads.
Did mom ever think oh, no, another mouth to feed? This I do not know but yes, probably. When dad passed away in 1970 mom had to learn how to drive at the age of 42 and she got her drivers’ license too!
I must say we were not the greatest kids to raise and she had to raise her voice to us many times.
Six of us went to boarding school after graduating from Dahlonegah Grade school. Boarding school was cheaper than going to regular high school.
Why this story now, you may ask, or wonder about it? Well, it is to say this, I am thankful to have known my mom. To have had a mom even against odds of raising us, in the-midst of poverty. With our own alcohol problems and some surprise pregnancies.
Pregnancies happen when one has sex, without precautions. Some come from being under the influence of drugs and alcohol. Others from rape or incest. And from adultery or if it makes you feel better from affairs.
Those are reasons why?
These things do happen. In all cultures and countries.
I can say our family has taken care of those born into the family.
The Bible does say in Psalm 127:3 “behold children are a heritage form the Lord the fruit of the womb is a reward.” On the 14th of November I was born into the family but, I do not remember mom holding me.
At first since, I was a newborn!
I was blessed to have a mom that kept me and raised me. I never did say to mom I love you. Nor to my brothers who have passed away. I missed those opportunities.
This expression I can start with my sisters and all my nieces, nephews and now some great ones too.
This one thing I learned from my mother was that she loved the grandkids more than us.
Funny huh?
I believe that Mothers’ Day is on the wrong day and month it should be on your birthday that you celebrate your mom!
Amen