I was Mom's first born son. This was important to her. She spent much time in my youth talking to me about the Christian Life. She loved Jesus! She also loved the Old Testament. The books of Moses! The historical books! My young and eager mind was extremely advanced in abstract things. At the age of 6 my Dad was tutoring me 1 - 3 hours a day seven days a week, and did so for 10 years. But during this time, Mom was also busy. She emphasized the stories of people and their lives in the Old Testament, showing how to live a righteous life. King David seemed to be her favorite. Every day she would quote verses to me that she secretly hoped would stick in my mind and help me.

She also tried to convince me to be a man. I was a very strong little boy and was always afraid that people beating on me would make me angry and that I would seriously hurt them. She said,"just poke them once and they will leave you alone!" Boys delighted in taking advantage of this until someone tricked me into a new game called boxing. 30 years later one of them asked me if I remembered the day I beat up the strongest, biggest boy in the valley. I didn't. But they always treated me with respect after that and never let me box again.

I had no friends because I had adult educational ideas and childish emotions in highschool. When I came home, Mom was always kind to me and let me know she was my friend. I had, thanks to Dad, the equivilant of a Bible College Education at the age of 17. I was unofficially, the Assistant Pastor in his church at the age of 12. But I was a child. Mom stuck by me.

In those days, there was no computers, televisions, electronics, cell phones, electronic games, etc. Dad bought us all musical instruments and books. I grew up singing around Mom and the other children. My sister, Marvine, and I would play our trumpets and Mom would either play the accordian, guitar or the piano. When little sister became big enough, we had a quartet. But when Ted started Kindergarten, I started college.

Throughout my lifetime, Mom never stopped praying for me, her oldest child. When, after 20 years in the Army, I visited her in her old age, it was always a special thrill to her. When she learned that I loved Jesus with all my heart, and would meet her one day in Heaven, her joy was boundless.

I gave her communion two weeks before her death.

The special bond between us continues. The joy of her continuing love is greater than my pain.