Mom

Good morning!

I am Becky Seagroves.

May 19, 1969, Rebecca Jeanette Petitt made her appearance.  I was born to an incredibly strong woman who had all 3 of her naturally, with no drugs.  She trained herself how to breathe deeply during contractions.  I can remember her telling me she could inhale for 1 full minute.  Isn’t that incredible?  Mom had some trouble delivering me as I had the umbilical cord wrapped around my neck and was born blue.  As you can see everything turned out ok and I didn’t have any brain damage…..I think.  J  I am the youngest of 3 children, the surprise!  My brother is 7 years older than I am.

After my scary beginning, I thrived under my parents’ love and discipline.  My mom and dad were great role models for a good marriage.  There was a lot of laughter in our home.  One of my favorite memories of Mom was when we had a bubble blowing contest and Mom’s gum bubble popped all over her glasses and she laughed! 

Mom and Dad were believers in the Lord Jesus Christ who lived their faith.  They didn’t preach at us, but showed us by their actions what honor, integrity, faithfulness, forgiveness, and Christ’s love were.  I can remember “the look” Mom would give me when I was out of line.  Did you get “the look?”

When I was 9 my Dad transferred us from Grand Island, NY, to Lake Charles, LA.  Whoa!  Big change!  I remember my mom’s strength as she had been uprooted from friends in NY and how she waited on the Lord and grew spiritually as she waited.  The Lord rewarded her attitude and patience with wonderful new friends in LC.  But she had to wait……..

Because I was the youngest, I had a very special relationship with my folks, especially my mom.  As I grew up, married, and had children of my own, I would call her and tell her all about what was going on with us.  She always had time for me.  I loved that.

Fast forward to 4 years ago.  My dad was already in heaven and Mom’s mind was being slowly taken by dementia.  Dementia is an interesting malady.  It strips all pretenses, walls, fakeness and leaves the true you behind for all to see.  My mom did not speak much, but she could smile.  She could not communicate with sentences, but she hummed when she was happy and content.  She hummed when she heard my voice.  She would say thank you to her caregivers when others with her same condition were rude.  Her true self—her strength, graciousness, manners, joy—never left. 

I am challenged by that.  If my soul were laid bare for all to see like hers was, what would be there?

If your soul was laid bare, what would we see?

I want the world to see my faith first, my heart, my compassion, and I want to make my folks proud.  What do you want the world to see?

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