SCRIP-BITS

Oh Friends, today’s Bit is in honour of my mother. I wrote it the day I heard that she’d gone to be with the Lord, but never used it because I wanted  to include a poem I had written for her sometime ago. The Lord has finally brought me around to this tribute, though I doubt I’ll put in the poem because of space restrictions. But who knows eh? (smile) Only the Lord God Jehovah! And re the Bit, I searched the Good Book from the beginning to find an appropriate one on Death, until this one just jumped out at me. Now my mother wasn’t perfect, wasn’t a saint, but I think she came as close to being one as we can get, while still being sinners. Here’s what I wrote that fateful day: Aye Molls baby, why yuh do me that eh? Why yuh go away without giving me a chance to say goodbye? I thought you told the doctor a couple days ago that you weren’t ready to go yet? When I heard that, it boosted my spirits immensely. All the time I’ve been away, with you in the hospital, I’ve been asking the Lord not to take you home before I got back. But unfortunately He had other plans, and since we’re supposed to surrender our all to Him, and follow wherever He leads, there’s not much either of us can do about it. I’ve been trying to hold back the tears, since I heard the news – bad, because we won’t be together in the flesh again – but good, because you’ve gone to a better place, home to be with Christ, where you won’t be feeling any more pain, or have any more problems, but as I’m writing this the tears keep flowing. And Oh Molls baby, as I’m transcribing this to the computer, the tears are flowing. I have to stop for a moment and wipe my eyes, so I can see what I’m doing. Awright, I can see now. (smile) Molls sugar, your life wasn’t easy, but you enjoyed it. From the time I knew you, you worked two jobs, long before it ever became the norm. But you never let that stop you from having a good perspective on whatever was happening in your life. I realized later on why you did some of the things you did, and why you hid some of them from me. Oh Molls sugar, I really can’t put into words the feelings, the LOVE, I have for you, the wonderful way you raised me – plenty of that in hindsight though. (smile) You were a disciplined but never stern parent. Like the Lord God and us, once I operated within certain parameters you laid down, everything was fine. I’ve tried to raise my children the same way, and sincerely hope I was successful. Ah Molls sugar, a lot of people all over the world will miss you, because you were a kind, generous, LOVING person. I remember the many times we argued because you had turned the other cheek to someone who’d hurt you, and I just couldn’t understand it. I remember also the many times when you told me that you weren’t doing stuff for yourself, but for me. And sugar, I’ve lived to see that wherever I’ve been in this mishmash world, people have been good to me. Sometimes it would bother me when I’d go somewhere figuring that nobody knew me, but then they’d hear the name O’Brien and ask if I knew you. Hn! The blessings would certainly flow when they realized that I was your son. Aye Molls, remember how I used to call you ‘M’, and anytime I called you ‘Mother or Mummy’, or some such maternal name, you’d chuckle and ask me what I wanted, or what wrong I’d done? Oh ‘M’, we certainly had some good times together, even when life was rough. And even then I never heard you complain, you just did what you could and told me the Lord would do the rest. And praise Him, He always did! I’m trying to live that way now. I know you expected more from me, in terms of worldly achievements and accomplishments, and I’m sorry to have disappointed you in that realm. But take heart Sugar, I’m doing better these days in the more important spiritual realm. And I know you were proud of me in that respect. Oh Molls baby, the tears are flowing as I realize that I won’t be reading any more prayers for you over the phone. You know I tell people that there are only two things I must do everyday; that’s write the Bit and read prayers for you. Now I’ve lost that interaction. And to interject a current problem Molls, since you died my prayer time has not been the same. I’m not as up to date, and when I do read the stuff we read together, I feel lost and not in tune. But that will come back eventually – I hope. But Molls, the person most crushed by your moving on with the Lord is Denise (her caregiver). This morning she called me here, bawling her eyes out. You know you were an integral part of her life, just as she was of yours. Everyday I prayed for the Lord to bless her for the way she looked after you with such tender, LOVING care. Now there’ll be no more disagreements between you two stubborn people, for her to laugh and tell me about. But doh worry Sugar, I’ll look after her the best I can, and I’m sure the Lord will bless her for the wonderful way she took care of you. Molls baby, I’m going to stop here for now. You were the first and last of my six mothers. Oh I was so blessed Sugar! The other five passed on before you, and though I’ve told you about them, I really wanted to write about them and read it to you. But I guess that’s not going to happen now. Better yet, you’ll meet them in heaven, because I’m sure that’s where they all are, and you six can be my guiding angels in heaven like you were on earth. And whenever the Lord thinks it’s time, He’ll cause me to write the story of my six mothers. Molls baby, you have a lot to thank those other five, strong, LOVING, faithful West Indian women for, because if it wasn’t for them, being present in certain times and situations in my life, I might not have eventually ended up with you here in Canada. So please thank them from both of us. Anyway Sugar, that’s it for now. I wanted to end this with my Favourite poem, ‘For You M’ but I don’t have a copy here, so I’ll just have to leave this till I get home. Much LOVE! 31 August 2011 in West Hills California. …death…to be absent from the body…but to be present with the Lord…