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Topic: Graduation (08/30/04)
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TITLE: WELCOME HOME! By Cyndy McNaul-Nelson 09/03/04 |
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Mama ‘Rene’s husband died from congestive heart failure at the age of thirty-four. Mama ‘Rene had five children aged fifteen to five years at the time. The death of her husband forced Mama to be brave and strong for her children. But when the children went to sleep at night, was when Mama cried out to God.
Mama tried to be brave, but her own childhood memories flooded back. Those were memories of losing the love and care of parents, memories of being shut up into an orphanage while becoming a ward of the State, and memories of being torn away from the familiar faces of older brothers and sisters. Mama ‘Rene’s life long request would always be, “Don’t let this happen to my babies, God!”
God said it wouldn’t be easy, but God also provided strength and promises for each new day. And Mama ‘Rene drew on that strength to become the mother and grandmother that she was never privileged to know. Mama ‘Rene has enjoyed a long life watching her precious possessions grow in fortitude and in God.
Mama ‘Rene still hoes that hard row, and when Mama knocks on heaven’s door, God will say. “Welcome Home, Mama ‘Rene, thou good and faithful servant! It’s Graduation Day.”