At 1:05pm today, my Mom slipped quietly from life and into the presence of her Savior, Redeemer and King.

How do you put this into words? How do accurately honor the woman that literally brought you into this world? What words can be said about the nurturing love of a mother? It’s probably hard to believe but for once in my life I find it hard to come up with words to say or write. I have never been ashamed to say I am a “Mama’s Boy” and will wear that badge with honor now. My mom taught me so much about life, people, caring and most importantly, Jesus. I am so proud of her today. As Paul wrote to Timothy in 2 Timothy 4:7-8“She fought the good fight, she finished the race, she kept the faith. Now there is in store for her the crown of righteousness”. If you knew my Mom you know that there is no other way she would know how to finish her journey. She overcame so much in her life and changed lives in doing so. Her legacy is one I can only aspire to reach.

Somewhere in my childhood, I heard the words below by Jimmy Dean. I still have the 45 record. It’s scratched and beaten up, but the words will forever hold a place in my heart. I can think of no other way to honor my Mom than to post it here. Thank you Mom. Thank you for your sacrifice, your investment, your grace, your faith and your belief in the good of others. May you now rest in the presence of your King where you most wanted to be. I love you Mom.

Mom….You listenin?

[audio:http://armswideopen.files.wordpress.com/2010/03/1-01-i-o-u.mp3]

Mom, I.O.U. for so many things…..
A lot of services, like nightwatchman for instance…..
Lyin’ awake nights, listenin’ for coughs and cries and creakin’ floorboards…..,
and me comin’ in too late.

You had the eye of an eagle and the roar of a lion,
But you always had a heart as big as a house.

I.O.U. for services like, uh, short order cook, chef, baker…..
For makin’ sirloin out o’ hamburger an’ turkey out o’ tuna fish,
And two big ol’ strappin’ boys out of leftovers.

I.O.U. for cleanin’ services,
The daily scrubbing of face and ears….all work done by hand.
And for the frequent dustin’ of a small boy’s pants
to try to make sure that you led a spotless life.
And for washin’ and ironin’ that no laundry could ever do.
For dryin’ the tears of childhood and ironin’ out the problems of growin’ up.

I.O.U. for services as a bodyguard,
For protectin’ me from the terrors of thunderstorms and nightmares
Hah, And too many green apples.

And Lord knows, I.O.U. for medical attention,
For nursing me through measles, mumps, bruises, bumps, splinters
and spring fever.

Oh-oh, let’s not forget medical advice….important things like,
‘If you keep on scratching that, it’ll never get well’ or
‘If you cross your eyes, they’re gonna stick like that’.
And probably the most important advice of all,
’Be sure you got on clean underwear boy, in case you’re in an accident’.

And I.O.U. for veterinarian services,
For feeding every lost dog that I dragged home at the end of the rope,
And for healing the pains of puppy love.

And I.O.U. for entertainment…..
Entertainment that kept the household goin’ during some pretty tough times…..
And for wonderful productions at Christmas, the Fourth of July, Birthdays…..
And for making make-believe come true…..
on a very limited budget.

I.O.U. for construction work, for building kites and confidence,
hopes and dreams an’…..
Somehow you made them all touch the sky…..
And for cementin’ a family together
So it would stand the worst kind of shocks and blows…..
And for layin’ down a good strong foundation to build a life on.

I.O.U. for carrier charges…..
For carryin’ me on your books for the necessities of life
that a growin’ boys just gotta have.
Things like, a pair of high top boots,
With a little pocket on the side for a jack-knife.

And one thing, Mom, I’ll will never ever forget….
When there were two pieces of apple pie left and three hungry people…..
I noticed that you were the one who always decided,
you never really liked apple pie in the first place.

These are just a few of the things for which payment is long overdue..
The person that I owe ‘em to worked very cheap….
She managed by simply doin’ without a whole lot o’ things that she needed herself….
My I.O.U’s add up to much more than I could ever hope to repay,
But you know the nicest thing about it all….
That I know, that she’ll mark the entire bill ‘Paid In Full’
For just one kiss and four little words….

Mom, I Love You!

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