My Mom

Her toes looked like mini sausages; only these sausages were white. They peeked out from swollen feet that had lost their shape. Feet that resembled white baggies stretched tightly with fluid or whatever settles under the skin when your body is a little weary.

My Mom was not well, and her feet were making sure we got the message.  Besides looking like they belonged to the Pillsbury Dough Boy, they were very dry and cracked. I was afraid the skin would split on the outside from the pressure inside.

I gently rubbed her feet with creamy, soothing lotion. Praying for the swelling to subside, the cracking to heal, and the blue veins to appear once again.

As I moved my fingers around these little bundles, I considered the places they have been.

These are the feet that…
… ran through the pasture after school; chasing the cows home.
… stood at the altar with My Dad and promised to be faithful always.
… stood at the graves of three of their children…experiencing the dark grief and pain no parent should ever face even once.
… paced the hospital corridors when I wanted to be born New Year’s Eve, but the doctor had a party to attend.  (Really!)
… climbed the tractors and combines when it was time to harvest the grain.
… stood for hours in front of the classroom to teach children about reading, science, and arithmetic.
… danced in circles with her grandchildren singing silly songs.

These are the feet that still carry My Mom into the room with her smile, her bounce, and her pride. Her balance is a bit unsteady.  Sometimes her feet share the floor space with a cane or walker. And even though her feet may cause her to “teeter” sometimes, she remains firmly planted. In God’s Love. His Faithfulness.

I think of My Mom’s feet and I am reminded of the Apostle Paul’s declaration:

“How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!”

The words are perfect to describe My Mom.

My Mom’s feet have returned to their normal size now.  They’re pink with blue veins…still a little dry.

I love My Mom.
And I am grateful for the miles she has walked with her feet…the hills and the valleys.
They have taught her about Grace. Hope. Faithfulness.

And she has, in turn, taught me.

 

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You are Extraordinarily Significant!