It has now been over 16 years since my Mom passed. Additionally, my father has now passed and the family home has been sold out of the family. I still miss Mom. I still get floods of emotion when I hear music or other things that remind me of her.

Today is the seventh anniversary of my mother’s passing. It is always a hard day. Mom and I were very close and she was the glue that held the family together. So many things have changed since she passed. One of my greatest sorrows is that she never met our youngest daughter, whom she would have adored. Mom loved the grandkids. But, even our second youngest was only two when she passed so she doesn’t remember Mom. Fortunately, the older two, in particular, remember her well. Mom and her house were the constant in our lives. We moved 15 times in the first 15 years of our marriage but Mom and her house were a constant for our family and hold a dear spot in the hearts of our older children. Mom is no longer around and we aren’t really able to go to the house anymore but the memories are sweet.

When my parents celebrated their 50th anniversary we had a party for them. One of the things that we children did for them was to write and read, for those in attendance, what we learned from our parents. I shared this a few years back on Facebook. I am sharing it here again because it is something close to me on this sad day.

What I learned from Mom and Dad:

From Mom, I learned as long as I stay with the Bible I will be okay. Everything of eternal importance is there. If nothing else we can count on God’s love and the truth of his Word.

From Dad, I learned to follow my passion. Our world is so much about comfort but Dad lives his passion.

From both Mom and Dad, I learned that if you have anything to share you have enough to share and it is my responsibility to share it.

From Mom, I learned to share my time. She always has the time to help and for me there have been times when all I had to offer was my time.

From Mom, I learned that guests need food.

From Mom, I learned that Children are a blessing.

From Dad, I learned to do right despite the consequences.

From Dad, I learned that might does not make right. In fact, sometimes might forgets all about the concept or right.

From Mom, I learned to brush my teeth. My teeth thank her.

From Dad, I learned that there is more to look forward to in life than retirement.

From Dad, I learned to question. There are often different ways of looking at things and the other way usually is not as stupid as we think it is. If what we believe is true it can handle the questions.

To Mom’s chagrin, I learned from Dad that they make scooters that can go on the freeway and get great Gas mileage.

From Mom, I learned about every person she has ever known who has been hurt on a motorcycle. Now, I have to be careful or she will think that I wasn’t listening.

Finally and maybe most importantly from Mom, I learned that you never say “for you and I”.

This essay is from our Anastasis Series where we resurrect articles from the past that are either still relevant today or can be easily updated. This piece was first published on July 2, 2014, and has been lightly edited and updated.

About Post Author

Rondall Reynoso

Rondall is an artist and scholar. He is currently an Assistant Professor in Tennessee. He holds an MFA in Painting and an MS in Art History from Pratt Institute in Brooklyn, NY, and is completing a Ph.D. in Art History and Aesthetics from the Graduate Theological Union in Berkeley, CA.

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