She was born during the years of the Great Depression and came to America as a child. She was a grateful immigrant who loved America and her family. Life was hard during those early years. She had eight siblings, six sisters and two brothers; three siblings died early in life. The firstborn child, a girl, died as an infant. An older sister died at age 27, and a brother died at 18 years of age. When the children were old enough to work, they earned income and contributed to the family expenses. She was my mother, and she started working as a clerk in a “Five and Dime” store when she was in high school. Every week she brought her pay home and gave it to her mother. She received back a portion as her weekly allowance. Every penny was needed to pay for housing, food and essentials for the family. The children each had two outfits of clothes to wear to church and school. They wore a fresh and clean outfit to church on Sunday and then to school every day of that following week. They got their other outfit, fresh and clean, to wear the following week. My mother told me her two outfits were both white sailor style dresses. One had a blue tie around the collar, and one had a red tie. She married young and worked in Tampa, Florida during World War II.

My Mom was my hero. As I look back now, I regret that I didn't appreciate her more when she was here. She was not perfect, but she was a good and Godly woman. She led me to Jesus Christ when I was five years old. She loved me, my three sisters and my Dad. She loved her Savior and her country. She loved her grandchildren and all children. She loved teaching Sunday School and Good News Clubs.

My Mom loved being a mother. She worked outside the home as a secretary and she was excellent at it. In today's career culture her title would probably have been “Executive Administrative Assistant.” She managed the places she worked with excellence…. including our home. But she always considered her highest calling was to be a mother. She wanted to raise her own children and did not work outside the home when her children were young. She cared about people and was always ready to help when needed. 

I think my Mom is the primary reason I went into counseling. I believe she inspired me to help and care for other people. Perhaps she inspired me to be “the Mom of the World” as my daughter once called me. I wish I could have mothered my mother at times. She was hard on herself and was unable to let go of the pain of a devastating event in her life. Forgiveness means “letting go.” I wish I could have helped her let go.

Forgiveness of self and others sets us free from dreadfully heavy burdens. Lack of self-forgiveness results in depression. Lack of forgiveness towards someone else results in anger and bitterness. People who come for counseling are often dealing with issues of unforgiveness.

My Mom, Elsie Dorothy Moore, has been with the Lord for 23 years now. She died just a few weeks before her first great grandson was born. I am so thankful for my precious mother and am looking forward to seeing her again one day. Be careful to appreciate and tell your mother often that you love her. Without her, you wouldn't be the person you are today. In fact, without her you wouldn't be here. The years pass so quickly.

“So teach us to number our days that we may present to (God) a heart of wisdom.” Psalm 90:12

Blessings and Happy Mother’s Day wishes,

Elsie