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A Faithful Mother’s Instruction

By Stephanie Williams Dean

On Mother’s Day, I will honor my mother. I was fortunate to be blessed with a good mother. Mom mailed me this birthday card (photo at right) in the mid-90s. The card’s now framed and hangs over the piano in my living room. I believe it captures her essence and serves as a daily reminder of her words.

Dear Steph,

Happy Birthday. It is 2:30 AM, and I am thinking of you and how very much you have been a strong rock in my life. You seem to be with me when I need you the most. Thanks so very much for you and all that you stand for. There are so many things I’d like to say. The little girl on this card reminded me so much of you. She seems to be caring for her geese. There is something strong in us that keeps us going on. It was faith in God that He would see us through all of our trials if we don’t forget Him (God). If we can keep our faith. We need to keep looking up to Heaven. I know God will be with us, and if we can keep looking up, we will never stumble. We need to keep loving Rob, regardless of all his problems. Some day if we show our great love, some of his problems will be resolved. So let all of us hold our heads high, and I’m very sure that our character and integrity will shine through. Thank God that He gave me you and put in you a heart of gold. I love you very much, Mom and Dad

The kindness we showed people and animals was important to Mom as she noted the little girl on the front of the card caring for her geese. As a strong Christian, she promoted showing great love to those with problems as a resolution method instead of tough love. She wrote of having a sense of confidence in one’s beliefs while allowing character and integrity to speak for themselves. And Mom valued a tender heart and soul – her Spirit recognized my Spirit. Most importantly, she stressed the importance of maintaining a strong faith – God was always with us. No trial would be too great for Him to see us through. And we should focus on Heaven – there was something beyond life on this earth – the promise of an eternal life with God. Proverbs 31:26 reads, “She speaks with wisdom, and faithful instruction is on her tongue.” (NIV)

Down on the River

By Linda H. Barnette

Recently I thought about the good times my grandfather, my dad, and I had on many Sunday afternoons when we visited my dad’s parents. Mama and Papa’s farm was on Hartley Rd. right off Cherry Hill Rd, which is right off Becktown Rd not far from the Yadkin River.

While Mother and Mama were cleaning up after Sunday lunch, we would in good weather walk about half a mile to the narrow road at the very end of their property to the river. It was the road to the ferry that my grandfather and his father operated between Davie and Davidson Counties before the bridge on Highway 64 was built in the late 1920’s.  The ferry cable was still there when I was a child.

Papa had a wooden boat that he had built, so the three of us would pile in it. He knew where the best fishing holes were and also the shallow spots for swimming. While the men fished, I played in the water.  Although they could both swim, they did not attempt to teach me, probably because I preferred drifting down the river in the old boat or jumping from a rope tied to a tree on the bank into the water below!

I love the memories that pop up in my mind of those innocent childhood days.

On Mother’s Day, I will honor my mother. I was fortunate to be blessed with a good mother. Mom mailed me this birthday card in the mid-90s. The card’s now framed and hangs over the piano in my living room. I believe it captures her essence and serves as a daily reminder of her words.

Dear Steph,

Happy Birthday. It is 2:30 AM, and I am thinking of you and how very much you have been a strong rock in my life. You seem to be with me when I need you the most. Thanks so very much for you and all that you stand for. There are so many things I’d like to say. The little girl on this card reminded me so much of you. She seems to be caring for her geese. There is something strong in us that keeps us going on. It was faith in God that He would see us through all of our trials if we don’t forget Him (God). If we can keep our faith. We need to keep looking up to Heaven. I know God will be with us, and if we can keep looking up, we will never stumble. We need to keep loving Rob, regardless of all his problems. Some day if we show our great love, some of his problems will be resolved. So let all of us hold our heads high, and I’m very sure that our character and integrity will shine through. Thank God that He gave me you and put in you a heart of gold. I love you very much, Mom and Dad

The kindness we showed people and animals was important to Mom as she noted the little girl on the front of the card caring for her geese. As a strong Christian, she promoted showing great love to those with problems as a resolution method instead of tough love. She wrote of having a sense of confidence in one’s beliefs while allowing character and integrity to speak for themselves. And Mom valued a tender heart and soul – her Spirit recognized my Spirit. Most importantly, she stressed the importance of maintaining a strong faith – God was always with us. No trial would be too great for Him to see us through. And we should focus on Heaven – there was something beyond life on this earth – the promise of an eternal life with God. Proverbs 31:26 reads, “She speaks with wisdom, and faithful instruction is on her tongue.” (NIV)

Spring Sky:  Corvus the Crow

By David R. Moore

The small constellation Corvus the Crow is found in the southeastern sky to the left of Spica, the brightest star in that part of the evening sky.  Four moderately bright stars take on the look of a lopsided diamond.  According to Greek mythology, Corvus brought disgrace to all crows because he failed to carry out a mission ordered by one of the gods.  At that time, crows were beautiful, friendly birds with white feathers and gold trim.  Their songs were the envy of all other birds.  Crows were respected and served as messengers and performed errands for the gods.

Apollo, the god of the sun, sent Corvus on a mission to fetch some water from a far-off magical fountain.  Apollo gave Corvus a special goblet to carry the water.  Corvus flew off searching for the magical water but got side-tracked and lost.  Instead of asking for directions, he stopped at a tavern where he found other crows.  Being sociable, they drank beer and wine all night using Apollo’s goblet.  The following day, a hung-over Corvus searched a little longer but to no avail.  He finally flew back to Apollo but gave an elaborate excuse about being attacked and bitten by a craze water snake, leaving him too weary to find the fountain.  Apollo believed the fanciful tale until Corvus gave back the goblet.  A residue of wine and beer was in the goblet.

Apollo was furious about being deceived, and with agreement from the other gods, they banished crows from Mount Olympus.  But the punishment did not end there.  Crows lost their gold-trimmed white feathers and tuned into jet-black birds.  As a final punishment, crows lost their beautiful voices, replaced by the cawing we hear today.

Mother

By  E. Bishop

Formidable.  Someone who is strong and slightly frightening.  That’s who she was.  If you saw the hands on her hips or a switch in hand, you knew you were in trouble.  And, all of us kids and grandkids were in trouble from time to time.  She did not play favorites.  She was definitely the disciplinarian in our family unit.  But, she was so much more.

Born October 13, 1913, Mother was raised on a farm along with her twin brother and three older siblings in Davidson County, North Carolina.  Her mother died of Bright’s disease; Mother was only 14.  Not long after, she dropped out of school, probably to help on the farm;  yet, she had the basic education she needed in life to read her Bible, write and keep up with finances.  She married at age 22 (November 28, 1935) to daddy who was 31 and had ten children by age 42. They established a home in the Fulton township of Davie County near where my paternal grandmother lived.

Unfortunately, by 1944, my parents had lost two young children (and would lose their youngest years later).  It is hard for me to imagine how these events would impact a marriage. But, they still had their faith and love for each other and established a farm in southern Davie County where several of us still call home.  This gumption or spirit Mother had made her a survivalist with great strength even though intimidating at times for younger children.

One thing she was intimidated by was driving.  She never got her license or drove a tractor again after almost wrecking it on the big hill.  She could give good directions though.  “You better slow down for that curve coming up.”   She loved her flowers, fishing and chickens.  But, if Sunday dinner called for fried chicken, you’d better hope it wasn’t your pet chicken.   She could wring that chicken’s neck in no time flat.  She would be so happy now to know that my youngest daughter, Sarah, is living in her house and having her own free range chickens.

Recently, I had a nice conversation with Ann who mentioned she remembered my mother wanting a “possum” and it just so happened one of their church friends at the time had one she wanted trapped.  Well, someone brought that creature to Mother; she fattened it up, cooked it and invited anyone brave enough to come over and help her eat it.  I’ve always cringed at that thought; but, I think she loved the “shock factor” in telling people.

I remember her listening to that good ole gospel music, whistling as she carried the bucket of milk from the barn, those fried apple pies she had ready for us when we got off the bus, those loaves of bread she baked every day and the last big switching I got for burning up a coffee pot.  Years later, when I was newly married, she gave me that coffee pot with a flower in it.  I’ll never know if she was reminding me to not burn the house down or if it was a loving gesture asking for forgiveness.  One thing I do know now; she was the strongest person I will ever encounter.