A LETTER TO MAMA

A LETTER TO MAMA
By Your Son, Tommy

Dear Mama,

I wish that we would have had more time to spend together while you were here. But with all of us children (eight in all…one of my brothers died at birth), you had to work a lot to keep food on the table and shoes on our little feet. There were a lot of things that I should have said while you were here, but I didn’t...so, I’ll say them now.

Mama, I want to say “Thank-you” for nursing me back to health and praying for me when both of my small arms and hands were burned to a dull black...the time I fell into the open fireplace. You called on your God to help me and He heard you. And remember the time that you prayed for me while I was still in your womb. You asked for God’s protection over me. Then, when I was eight years old, you stayed up all night with me, prayed, and cared for me because I had appendicitis. You prayed to your God. He intervened. Now, many years later, I am still well. Thank you.

Mama, I can remember you getting upset with us at times, but we always knew you loved us. I now have four children of my own. I do understand. Mama, I love you and I want you to forgive me for causing you pain and heartaches at times.

Another time you saved my life. I was driving too fast. You told me to slow down. I reluctantly did. Immediately afterwards, the right front tire exploded. Your request and warning saved our lives that day. Mama, thanks...I was too young to die!

The tears, sweat, blood, and agony that was given for us seven children was a great sacrifice on your part. I remember in 1953 while you were giving birth to our little sister (Lavonda), you almost died, but somehow God let you live a few more years on this planet.

Yes, you shed many a tear drop for us, especially me. And I’ll always be grateful to you for giving me life and sound moral principles. Mama, there were times that I was away from home a long time. You prayed for me. You bragged on me. Even when I was wrong, you encouraged me.

“Mama, I want to say one more thing...I miss you with all my heart. I look forward to seeing you again. Mama, soon I’ll be another year older.

“What’s that Mama? Yes, I do have tears in my eyes...and it feels good to cry because these tears are not tears of sorrow, but joy...the joy of having you for as a mother.”
With all my love,
Your son...Tommy

NOTE: My mother died in 1969. She was 49...too young to die. I wrote her this letter on 28 Sep 81. Yes, I know that we cannot communicate with our loved ones who are now in heaven; however, for my own health and welfare, I wanted to write down some things that perhaps had never been said before...or had gone unsaid while Mom was still living. And, no, I did not mail the letter…because I did not know how much postage it would take to mail it to Planet Heaven! Hello!