The Chronicles of Amazing Mema #25

This will be the last of the Chronicles of Amazing Mema because I have pretty much exhausted her material. She mostly wrote about family trivia and repeated herself many times. She actually has a handwritten ancestry for both sides of her family that goes way back to the mid 18th century. I have no idea where she ever obtained all that information. But family has always been very important to her.

She also wrote down many, many songs that were popular during her lifetime. Most of them are love songs which I am certain she sang over and over. She still sings some of them to the residents and staff at the nursing home, although she may only remember a few words. She wrote a lot about politics and America and her church and her love of Bible study. But, she mostly wrote about family.

In this final installment I want to share with my readers something she wrote on October 22, 1998. This was near the end of her writing because she was beginning to experience the effects of Alzheimer's and she spent most of her time reading through her journals over and over, very little writing. She titled this "TEACHING CHILDREN".

" 1. TEACH VALUES OF DEVOTION.
2. ENCOURAGE INDEPENDENCE.
3. BE YOURSELF - They can always spot a phony.
4. PROVIDE FAMILY ACTIVITIES.

Raising kids in the 90's is really no different than in the 20' or 30's. Parents have a great responsibility to supply much love and firm convictions in strength of duty and honor to our children. Let them know they have your undivided attention. Show much happiness in your life and discipline toward them. Be very truthful in your living a wholesome, good life before them. We are living models in all ages so be true to yourself and to others. MEMA HAZEL"

I sincerely appreciate all the comments you guys have shared with the Rose and me. Mom would be truly proud to know that so many people, some she has never met, have so many kind things to say about her. She would react with true humility and try to deflect those comments. But, she is an AMAZING mother, grandmother, great grandmother, mother-in-law and friend to so many. Now, she resides at the same place she regularly visited many, many others whose independent lifestyle had come to an end.

Yes, this is a bittersweet time for me and all of Mema's family. She will turn 92 in August of this year and we are trusting God to help her get there and beyond. But, if not, we will simply rejoice that her journey here has ended and now she can sing a new song in a new everlasting home in company with the family she loved so much here on earth.

None of us knows all the particulars about life after death, but we know this for certain - God our Father will welcome us to His eternal home and Jesus will be there to give light and love to that forever family. That's enough! HALLELUJAH!