For Becky

What do you say when a friend loses a mother? I wrote this the other day for such a friend who’s mother passed and as I have a heavy heart right now, knowing all she has to face in the days ahead, I thought I would share it. I don’t normally do this type of thing but I felt compelled to write it.  So maybe it was sent from above.  I don’t know.  Anyway, here it is- I think I knew your mother… I think I knew your mother because we cared together about helping little hands hold new books and older ones to be able to see them. I think I knew your mother because I saw how ardently she cared for what was good and clean and right in our small little world and fought for it. I think I knew your mother because she’d take the time for a conversation, acknowledging and listening, even if for only a few minutes. I think I knew your mother by how you described your childhood at our mother’s group.  How your mother told you when you played with Barbies, that when you grow up, you might not look like her but you would still be beautiful. I think I knew your mother because she made you fearless to welcome five little souls in an age when children aren’t always considered a blessing, as they should be. I think I knew your mother because I see her spirit shining through you. I can see that she raised a God-fearing daughter to carry on all her wonderful virtues and pass them on down to your daughters. Even though we knew each other briefly, I think I knew your mother…