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When Mother’s Day Changes

by Carmen Horne 4 Comments

So, I’ve been in the middle of a whirlwind. My sweet little Momma was diagnosed with cancer just about a month ago and moved in with Jesus three weeks after her diagnosis. As you can imagine, this is a different kind of Mother’s Day for me. 

As I type, I still feel a bit breathless from it all. We moved her in to our home and she was here only two weeks before she moved out to live with Jesus. 

There are so many things to say. The right things to say. Like how we didn’t lose her, we know where she is. Like God has a perfect timing, His ways are higher, and we trust God’s perfect plan for her and all of us who love her. How we will see her again one day. That she left more memories than we can hardly recount because she lived life. She wasn’t a wall sitter. Mom lived and loved to the fullest. All that good, right, and encouraging stuff. 

But friends, I miss my Momma. I type with a lump in my throat as I sit at my desk in “her room” in our home. Her slippers on the floor and her death certificate on the desk. 

Momma did what mommas do best. She helped us navigate her last days much easier. She admitted herself to hospice, she made her funeral plans, and spent the rest of her time letting all of us know how much she loved us and how thankful she was for God’s grace and mercy. I kissed her forehead countless times and told her how much I loved her over and over. 

She shared her gratitude for a wonderful life. How she had done everything she really ever wanted to do. Talk of heaven and how wonderful it would be was ever-present on her lips. 

In her final days she shared how an angel was sleeping with her. She glowed when she talked about how much peace God brought her as her angel snuggled up with her. Y’all, God is so compassionate and kind. He loves us so. Although we could not see her Comforter, she felt Him. She knew He was there and that brought us all comfort. 

                   Iris Marie “Cookie” Daniel Walter July 25, 1941 – May 2, 2018

What will I do about today? I will enjoy every moment with my daughter. I will probably cry a little and try to remember that my Momma is with her Momma for the first time in many years on Mother’s Day. I will live life to its fullest because that’s what she did. Maybe we will tell a funny memory of her, like the time she danced on the table at Joe’s Crab Shack in Destin, FL on her birthday. Or when she asked me “Am I going to have to do homework?” if she attended a study I was leading. When I said there was a workbook she said, “I never did like homework. I like it even less now. I’ll just stay home and read my Bible and you catch me up on what Beth {Moore} says about it.”

We don’t grieve without hope. 

The Hope of the Resurrection
13 And now, dear brothers and sisters, we want you to know what will happen to the believers who have died so you will not grieve like people who have no hope. 14 For since we believe that Jesus died and was raised to life again, we also believe that when Jesus returns, God will bring back with him the believers who have died.

15 We tell you this directly from the Lord: We who are still living when the Lord returns will not meet him ahead of those who have died. 16 For the Lord himself will come down from heaven with a commanding shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trumpet call of God. First, the believers who have died will rise from their graves. 17 Then, together with them, we who are still alive and remain on the earth will be caught up in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. Then we will be with the Lord forever. 18 So encourage each other with these words. 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 NLT

I will see my sassy Momma again. 

You can read a letter she wrote to her younger self almost three years ago HERE As I re-read it I am amazed at her own gift for writing. I edited it very little when it came to content. Only when she repeated herself. You do that in eight pages! And, to read her replies to the comments. Those are just pure gold to my heart.

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Filed Under: Brokenness, Holiday, Love Tagged With: Brokenness, Comfort, Holiday, love, Mother's Day

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Comments

  1. Beth Rayann Corder says

    May 21, 2018 at 11:46 am

    So sorry you are experiencing the absence of your Mother Carmen.
    May your blossoms of sweet memories bring a bouquet of solace to your sorrow.

    With my heartfelt sympathy, BRC

    Reply
    • Carmen Horne says

      May 21, 2018 at 1:01 pm

      Oh Beth! I feel as if we haven’t spoken in such a very long time. Thank you for your sweet condolences. Blessing on you!

      Reply
  2. Carmen Horne says

    May 16, 2018 at 10:03 am

    Hey Linda! So good for you to take the time to comment. I am filled with so many emotions – sadness, happiness, thankfulness…for God being so merciful and for me having the honor of her being here with us for her last couple of weeks. Mom left such good memories. I can see that your Mom did too. We are blessed to have been their daughters.

    Reply
  3. Linda Womack says

    May 15, 2018 at 8:24 am

    Sorry for your loss…it can be devastating to lose a parent but one like your Mom is especially hard. I lost mine in 2005 & my sister’s & I still get together & it’s just like Mom is there with us because there is so much of her, her mannerisms, and character in us…I miss her so much but I am glad she isn’t suffering anymore because I know she is with Jesus..

    Reply

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What Others Are Saying…

"Rarely will you find a woman with such a servant’s heart as Carmen Horne. I have had the pleasure of attending many church events, trips, and girl lunches with Carmen over the past sixteen years. She continues to be one of my favorite mentors whether in North Louisiana or on the beach in Florida, which is probably OUR FAVORITE place! She uses her kind and faithful heart when giving advice or mentoring others. Carmen is truly a light to many and guides you to find the light in yourself no matter how faint it may be. Hebrews 13:7"

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"Carmen writes from her heart and her own life experiences. What she says is always spot on for me. She is a gifted teacher and her love for the Word shows. Carmen is easy to understand and her words always leave me with a deeper understanding of God's love and grace. Her wit and charm make her a joy to listen to. She speaks truth, even when the truth is hard to hear and does it with understanding and compassion."

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"It takes a depth of pride to accept our way might not be the best way or the only way...' If Carmen had not already made me a follower of her blog, that one sentence would have had me hooked. It's not always easy to find someone who writes in ways we can relate. Carmen makes me stop and take a deep long look at who I am and where I want to be in my walk with Christ. I trust her to be a truth teller and a peace maker. Not only has she encouraged me so many times, but often my heart is pierced to make a change."

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"Carmen always has a word of encouragement for everyone. She makes you feel good about yourself by just being in her presence. She loves Jesus and wants all to know Jesus; the broken, the wounded, the desperate, the empty and the guilty."

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"Carmen spoke to us from her heart.  She encouraged us be women of faith. Carmen is very genuine in her love of God and people. Her heart for God is evident in her devotion and also the life she leads."

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