Dear Editor:

My siblings and I were fortunate and blessed to have had the mother we had. Our mother was of Irish decent and she trusted in the love, mercy and grace of God to guide and direct her pathway.

Our mother had her priorities in the correct order (God, family and friends). Her highest achievement in education was only in the eighth grade, but her common sense, her love for God, her care for family and friends surpassed all the highly-educated people that I have known.

It takes more than education to be a real mother. It takes putting God first and asking for his director in your life.

Our mother and dad had 12 children (six boys and six girls). Our mother cooked three meals a day (she was an excellent cook) and worked in the fields with her husband and children.

Our mother milked two cows in the morning and evening and still picked more cotton (while our younger brother was riding on her cotton sack) than anyone else in the family.

In the Bible (KJV) Psalms, Chapter 11:10 – “the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.” The fear and love of God are the correct requirements to be a great mother.

In Proverbs 31:10, it says “Who can find a virtuous woman? For her price is far above rubies.” The word virtuous means good, moral, righteous, chaste and pure. If you are interested in learning more about what makes a great mother, I suggest you read the rest of chapter 31.

My mind often reminds me of when I was a small child and would wake up to the wonderful aroma of my mother’s breakfast meals. I also remember her singing gospel songs and reading her Bible daily.

We lived in an old house with two fireplaces to warm by. The floor of this building had huge cracks between the boards in the floor (we could see the chickens scratching on the ground beneath us) and cracks also in the walls.

On cold nights, mother would always make sure that we stayed warm during the night by placing several quilts (quilts that she had made) on us. We did not have air conditioning, heat pumps and insulation in the walls and attic.

I went into the military in 1968. My mother always made time to write to me and let me know that she loved me and was praying for my safe return. I often wonder how she had the time to write to me as often as she did. Besides her 12 children, mother also had 19 grandchildren and many great-grandchildren.

A real mother must first love and trust God for guidance and direction before she will be successful. If I had a dollar for every time I think about my mother, then I would probably be a billionaire.

Yes, I miss my mother very much. I wish that everyone could have a mother like my siblings and I had.

Leon Chavers

7221 Circle Rd.

Walnut Hill, Fla. 32568-5329

850-208-4738