Mother’s Day brings back memories

Since Mother’s Day is Sunday I thought you would like to revisit my column that appeared in Brazil Times, Wednesday, May 17, 2004.

Mother’s Day brings back memories

Evensong

Lay away the story,--

Though the theme is sweet

There is a lack of something yet,

There is a special yearning

Leaves it incomplete; --

Strangely undefined --

For a story sweeter still

Than in the written kind

Therefore read no longer

I’ve no heart to hear

But just something you make up,

O my mother dear.,

Hold me, folded - eyes,--

Only let your voice go on--

I’ll be satisfied.

James Whitcomb Riley

Maybe this poem, written by one of America’s best-loved poets, will touch you as well.

So, I sit here at this computer, as I do most Sunday afternoons. Paul is busy adding brush strokes to another landscape oil painting for our daughter, Lori. One day soon the work will add to her growing collection of artwork in Denver.

Tootie Mae is checking out her profile on the inactive TV screen. She is wagging her skinny tail. Could be that precious mug on the set reminds the pretty little lady of her mother, the biological one of course.

In the U.S., Mother’s Day is a holiday celebrated on the second Sunday in May.

Ann Jarvis, from Grafton, VA., first celebrated the occasion of the anniversary of the death of her mother. Because of Anna’s campaign efforts, President Woodrow Wilson, in 1914, made the announcements and proclaimed Mother’s Day a national observance.

October 27, of the same year, my mother, Geneva (Siner) Lynch was born. “Little Nevi, ”as she was affectionately called, was reared in Hooserville and Hadleytown.

My mom attended Brazil High School, however, out of necessity, the teenager quit school at the end of her junior year and began working for Gus Loeb, proprietor of a dry goods store, and for her brother-in-law, Clarence Crouse, in Hadleytown. He owned a filling station/store.

Mother loved to sing. She played the piano and several other instruments ---well.

The little songbird and her sisters were well-known gospel singers, in the area.

The sisters were frequently requested to provide beautiful and comforting music by Emanuel and Nicholas Miller, owners of Miller’s Funeral Home,

Her life gained new purpose when she met and married my father, Hugh Lynch Jr.

My parents were married Easter Sunday, April 16, 1933. The young bride entered into motherhood on April 28, 1934. A bouncing 9-pound baby boy, my brother John Wayne came into her life.

Etta Ann was born, in 1935. Larry Hugh joined the brood in 1937. Then on November 4, 1939, a bald, left-handed handful decided her mother’s day while her man was rabbit hunting, imagine his surprise. The fourth child is this writer.

Dad jokingly said because of me, mom introduced herself to Bayer aspirin.

In March of 1943, God called Etta Ann and Larry Hugh home. Our grieving mother lost spirit in the dark days that followed. God saw her weeping and on July 9, 1944, Dr. Timothy Weaver placed Sandra Elaine in her frail arms.

Mother led us through the worst of times and provided us memories of the best of times. We loved her very much.

Alzheimer’s claimed her golden years. Little Nevi lost spirit. Then one day in winter, when she could stand no more, a heart attack happened and death came to her door. She died Jan.9,1992.

Happy Mother’s Day to all moms from me!

I can be reached by phone at 317 -286-7352 or drop me a line to 649 South Grant Street, Brownsburg, IN., 46112.