Mothers care for, nurture, and guide their children and foster their physical, emotional, and social well-being. Mothers offer unconditional love and support to their children. Traditionally, mothers have played the primary role in raising children from infancy and youth to adulthood. Ideally, they model for their children how to live a joyful, meaningful, and productive life. Being a mother is truly a remarkable gift and is a journey filled with both immense challenges and unparalleled rewards! When we view motherhood as a gift we learn to seek God's help in fulfilling this role. We all need a mother's love and care!
Now, let me introduce you to my mom. Mom was the youngest in a blended family of five girls. Her parents were recent immigrants from Sweden and raised their daughters in the Christian faith. Life in this family was far from perfect. There was brokenness and dysfunction, but there was also love, forgiveness, and devotion to one another. The sisters remained very close throughout their lives.
Music was an important part of their family life. Each of the sisters played an instrument and soon became known as The Berglund Sisters, playing in several churches and even on the radio on a few occasions. Mom was a self-taught pianist, never having taken formal piano lessons, although an older sister may have provided some basic instruction. As an adult, she was always drawn to a piano in a room and would begin to play, but only if she was comfortable with those who were listening. She always felt she had lost some of her skill as a young pianist.
Mom married and gave birth to five children: one son and four daughters. She was very proud of her children. Money was scarce so Mom would often go without in order to keep us girls in the best attire. White pleated skirts, blouses, or stockings that were dirtied on Sunday mornings would be washed, dried, and ironed for Sunday evening. Hair was washed and carefully curled in ringlets, the style of the day (at least in Mom's eyes!)
My mom was noted for her gift of hospitality. Often on Sundays after church, plates at our table were added to the existing seven settings to accommodate visitors (how did we manage to squeeze in around the table?!). The table itself would be covered in a carefully ironed tablecloth. These Sunday dinners were always roast beef with vegetables chosen for their colour contrast. The appearance of the meal was as important as the flavour! And the flavours were delicious!
Mom was not only a good cook and baker, she also knew how to make a house feel warm and inviting. She made our house a home. Often, on my way home from school, I would wonder if Mom had rearranged the furniture in the living room. She was always looking for ways to freshen things up and give it a new look.
Everyone who knew my mom loved her. Mom passed away in 2003 at 85 years of age. To this day, I miss her phone calls and visits. Though Mom was not perfect, she was kind, caring, and loved us unconditionally. The seeds she planted in each of us continue to produce fruit in the lives of her children and grandchildren.
"Her children rise up and call her blessed." Proverbs 31:28a
I honour you today, Mom, and I thank you for your love and all that you taught me.
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