Remembering my mother at Christmas time.

Oh mother, I remember your sorrel and fruit cake at Christmas time.  I remember the hard work of creaming the sugar and the butter without an electric mixer.  My shoulder would always end up hurting me but I did it just for you. Maybe that is the reason I hate baking to this day.  However, I would give anything to have those days come back again. 

I remember, the laughter after you gave some silly joke and  always a constant reminder of the old time Christmas, how it was filled with joy, sharing and giving.

As the years passed by, thank God you settled for Jesus and He became your main focus at Christmas time and even if there was no cake, or sorrel our togetherness at Christmas service at our church would be most uplifting.

Today you are resting in the arms of sweet deliverance and one day I will see you again.  Rest in peace my mother. I will always love you.

How to Spend Quality Time with Your Kids

Are you a mother who is also a career-oriented woman?  If you are, you may have number of different issues tugging at your heart.  In today’s society, many mothers are fearful of putting their family first, especially in certain circumstances, in fear of losing their jobs.  With that in mind, there are many mothers who are fearful that their children will grow up resenting them due to the amount of time they spent focused on work. 

While being a mother and a career-oriented woman, all at the same time, may seem like an impossible task, it is a task that you can more than perform.  What you need to remember, although difficult as it may be, is that you should be a mom first.  However, that doesn’t mean that you should just toss your workload to the side and not care.  There are a number of different ways that you can go about being a good parent, while still bringing home an income.  One of those ways involves spending quality time with your child or children when you are not working. 

One of the best ways for you to go about spending quality time with your child or children is by creating a schedule for yourself.  This schedule can be used to outline any important events that you and your child or children have planned.  Although your schedule does not need to be followed right down to the letter, it is important to have one. Mothers who create schedules for themselves are more likely to follow through with their plans.

Speaking of your plans, you may be wondering what you should do to spend quality time with your child or children.  Of course, it is important to keep your child’s age in mind. A child who is three years old will prefer different activities than one who is nine or ten years old.  With that in mind, there are a number of different activities that many children love, including those of all ages.  A few of those activities are outlined below for your convenience.

One activity that you may want to think about doing with your child or children is taking them to the zoo. Regardless of where you live, you should have a zoo within a reasonable driving distance to your home.  Zoo trips are fun and exciting, as they often last all day.  What is nice about zoo trips is that they are fun and educational all at the same time.  This means that your quality time can benefit your child or children in more ways than one.

Another activity that you may want to think about doing is taking your child or children to the movies.  Whether your child is three years old or fifteen years old, there should be a movie playing that would likely interest them.  Going to the movies is nice, as many children view it as a treat.  For more affordable movie tickets, you may want to think about going to see a movie with your family during the daytime.

Additional activities that many children enjoy are those of park visits, museum visits, and sporting events.  In all honesty, it really doesn’t matter what you do.  To your child or children, no matter what their age, they will likely just appreciate the fact that you took some time away from work to have fun with them, no matter what the activity.

Thank God my mother had a job which gave her great amount of time to be with her children.  Today, she is no longer with us, but I will always remember her unfailing love and loyalty to protect and provide for her children.

CRYING BABY - REASONS

Crying is a normal event in the lives of all babies. When a baby comes out of the womb the first thing he/she does is crying. By the first cry he will take some air in to the lungs for the first time in their life. After delivery if the baby doesn't cry then it should be initiated by slightly pinching or gently stroking the feet. From this it is clear that the healthy baby should cry and it is a normal physiological event, still some times it can upset the mother or family members.


We all know that a baby can't tell his needs or troubles in words. The only way for him  to communicate with others is by crying. Babies show some other signs like feet kicking, hand waving and head turning, etc. But the best way to take the attention of others is by crying.


Excessive crying may not have a firm definition because the crying habit changes from baby to baby and some babies can be calmed easily but some are difficult to sooth. If crying is distressing for the mother and home nurse it can be called excessive. Many a times a baby will become quiet by giving breast milk or by carrying with a gentle rocking. Sudden onset of excessive crying means that the baby is distressed and needs attention. The causes of crying extends from simple reasons to life threatening conditions. Hence crying of a baby should not be ignored.


Most of the time it is difficult to find the cause of the cry . Common causes are discussed here for awareness.


Common reasons for crying:
               
1. Hunger:--A hungry baby will cry till he gets  the milk. Here the old saying comes true 'crying baby gets the milk.'


2. Wetting:--Urination and defecation causes some discomfort and results in crying till his parts are cleaned and made dry .


3. Company:--Majority of the kids need somebody near.  If they feel lonely they cry. When their favourite doll slips away from the grip they cry for help.
          
4. Tired:--When the baby is tired after a journey and unable to sleep he cries. They feel tired in uncomfortable surroundings  due to unhealthy climate.


5. Heat & cold:--If they feel too hot or too cold they become restless and cry. Child is comfortable in a room with good ventilation.


6. Tight clothing:--Tight clothes especially during warm climate is intolerable for kids.Tight elastic of the the dress can also produce soreness in the hip region.                                                                                  


7. Dark room:--When the baby wakes up from sleep he needs some dim light. If there is darkness he will disturb the sleep of parents by crying. Of course he will be irritated by strong light resulting in crying.


8. Mosquito:--Yes, these creatures disturb the sleep by their blood sucking and make the baby to cry.


9. Nasal blocking:--Child may not be able to sleep when there is a cold and go on crying till the passage is open.


10. Phlegm in throat:--This also causes difficult breathing resulting in cry.Often a typical sound can be heard with each breath.


11. General aching:--Generalized body ache with restlessness is seen in flu and prodromal stages of some infectious diseases can result in continuous cry.


12. Habitual cry:---Some babies cry without any real cause ending the parents in agony.Many a times doctor is called for help.


13. Nappy rash:-- If a tight and wet nappy is kept for a long time results in this condition. Rash can also be due to some allergic reaction to the elastic material of the nappy.  When the rash appears it causes soreness and baby become sleepless and cry.  All other skin lesions like eczema and other skin problems.                                               


14. Earache:--Ear infection is common in wet climate. The infection may spread from the throat. Ear infection can result in rupture of ear drum causing discharge of pus. Earache usually becomes worse at night when lying down. Child will become restless with cry and may not allow you to touch the ear. Some children with earache rub the affected ear frequently.


15. Colic:--When the baby cries continuously most of us diagnose it as colic. This problem is still a topic for debate because exact cause for colic is not known and diagnosis is also difficult to confirm. Colic may be associated with rumbling and distention of abdomen. Child often feels better when lying on abdomen. Some children may not allow you to touch the abdomen. If the child cries continuously doctors help is needed.


16. Infections:--All infections causes some kind of pain or irritation resulting in crying. Infection may be anywhere in the body. Usually it is associated with fever, redness and swelling.


17. Reactions to certain food:--It is said that one man's food is another man's poison. Some food articles can produce some allergic reactions. Allergy is manifested in the form of redness, breathlessness, gastric symptoms and continuous cry.
      
18. Hard stools:--Constipated babies with hard stools may cry when they get the urge for stool. Some children hesitate to pass stool because of pain .


19. Gastroesophageal reflux:--Here baby cries with spilling of food after feeding. If this continues it may be due to gastroesophageal reflux. This is due to failure of the lower part of esophagus to close after food causing regurgitation from the stomach. It is difficult to diagnose this condition and can be confirmed by giving anti reflex medicines.


20. Dentition:--During dentition child becomes restless with crying. Often associated with gastric troubles and diarrhea.
                              
Some rare reasons
-----------------


1. Bowel obstruction:--Bowel obstruction is associated with severe pain and vomiting. Abdomen is distended with rumbling sound.Baby is constipated with absence of flatus.


2. Septicemia:--Invasion of pathogenic micro organisms in to the blood is called septicemia. Fever is associated with this condition.


3. Torsion of testes in male kids:--When a male baby cries continuously his scrotum should be examined. Torsion of the testes produce severe pain which will be worse by touching the affected testes. When the testes is pressed upwards pain is relieved. If this is not treated properly it can damage the affected testes due to lack of blood supply.


4. Meningitis:--Initially there may not be fever, hence crying baby with alternate vacant stare and irritability should not be ignored. Fontanel is bulging. Neck rigidity and seizures may appear later.


5. Retention of urine:--Children with retention of urine will have agonizing pain making them  restless.                                              


7. Major injuries:--Major injury to any parts of the body causes pain. Occasionally children will fall while playing and will result in head injury. Head injury is associated with reflex vomiting and convulsions.

The face Of My Mother

I visited my sister recently and saw a picture of my mother hanging on the wall.  All the memories of her came flooding  my mind.  I smiled at those memories because they were good ones and I was at peace knowing that she is resting in the arms of Sweet Deliverance.

She will never be forgotten, this mother of mine.  The picture hanging from the wall showed a very soft and tender looking face, yet at the same time I saw a strong and determine woman who raised five children all on her own.

I hope I will always see that face hanging from the wall of my sister's home when I go to visit her.  I think I will have to take one her pictures from my album, enlarge it and put that face also on my wall, as a reminder that a woman of her caliber was actually my mother.
Oh sweet mother of mine, I love you so.  May your soul rest in peace!

My Mother, In my Cousin and Niece

Today I was reminded of my mother and the memory was a refreshing one.  One of my nieces and one of my cousins were in my company today and these two girls look exactly like my mother.  The resemblance is really uncanny, but I love it because now it will be very easy to remember her because of these two girls who are her grand-daughter and gran-niece. 

There personalities are quite different from hers but I am satisfied with just the resemblances. I still miss her so much.  Tears still come to my eyes when I remember her, but I am still feeling assured that she is safe in the arms of Jesus.

I love animals very much, especially dogs, and she was was the one who taught me to love them.  I remembered, when I was a child, she had a pig by the name of Gabby.  Gabby was a pet to all the children in our house and the time came when one of my cousins butchered Gabby and I could not partake of that meat, neither could my mother.  She also had a goat by the name of pet lamb.  I am not quite sure what happen to pet lamb, but he was a spoilt goat.  Each day he would come home from the field and walked up on the veranda like he was a person and my mother would rub his head. Pet lamb was such a pet!

We also had some dogs and every morning and night we had to make sure they get their food or else my mother would chastise us.  Today, I have all kinds of animals around me because I got that trait from her, God bless her precious soul.

My cousin and niece will always be close to me because then I will feel as if my mother is near.  May her soul continue to rest in peace.

The Loss of a Mother

Someone once said that a half of a mother is better than none at all. In other words, if your mother is sick, disable or bedridden, you must cherish and love her. Take good care of her because the day you lose her you will realize that you have lost a treasure. The burden is even greater if she had been a caring and loving mother. Well, I have lost a very good mother and I intend to keep her memory alive.
Feel free to send your views and chat about things concerning 'the loss of a mother'. Let us remember our mothers in a happy way.

Missing You Mother

I am still missing you mother. Your smiles, your laughter, your advice, and most importantly, your encouragement.

I thank God, however, that your pains are over, your suffering has come to an end and you are now resting in the arms of Jesus.

You will always be remembered for your strength, character, endurance and faith.  Our tears have ceased, the pain has lessened, but your memories are imprinted in our hearts.  We still hear your laughter and feel your presence.  You are now comforted in the arms of Jesus and we hope to be there one day with you.  So have your rest until we meet you up there.

Happy Mother's Day on May 9, 2010

On the 4th April, 2010 was one year since my mother died.  To me, it seemed like yesterday.  Tomorrow will be mother's day and already the memory of her stands out in my mind and heart.  Today would have been the day when I purchased her gift and a card wishing her a God-blessed day.


No matter what I got for her, my mother was always thankful for her gift.  She was never the type to criticize  the quality or quantity of the gift.  She was just grateful that I remembered her.


I will surely miss the mother and daughter conversations  we usually have after church.  We would open her mother's day gift she received from her church and she would proclaimed her gratefulness.


Oh mother, mother, I miss you so much.  May your soul continue to rest in peace.


I beseech all children to cherish your mothers.  Respect them and take good care of them because the day you lose them will be the day you regret not appreciating all that they have done for you.


Happy mother's day to all mothers May 9, 2010 and may God continue to bless you all.

Forever In Our Hearts

 My mother, Forever Missed By A Loving Daughter

In life we loved you dearly, in death we love you still, in our hearts you hold a place no one can ever fill. A light from our household is gone, a voice from our love is stilled, a place in our home is vacant, which never will be filled.  Some may think you are forgotten, though on earth you are no more, but in our memory you are with us, as you always were before.

It broke our hearts to lose you, but you did not go alone, a part of us went with you, the day God called you home.  Your precious memories are for keepsake, with which we will never part, God has you safely in His keeping, but we have you forever in our hearts.

What Is A Mother?

A Mother has so many things to do,

From washing, ironing, cleaning to tying a shoe.

She scrubs, she mends, she cooks and sews,

She bathes the children and washes their clothes.

When they forget to wash their faces clean,

And their clothes are the muddiest you've ever seen,

Who repairs the clothes and scrubs them like new?

Of course, that is what a Mother will do.

Who becomes the doctor or the nurse when they are ill,

Applying a bandage or giving them a pill?

Who becomes a teacher when a child has homework?

She must never her duty shirk.

Who becomes a detective to find a toy or a book?

For missing things she must look and look?

Who becomes a listener to every heartache,

To every accomplishment that a child makes?

Who scolds their children when they are naughty,

Or remind them of God when they are to haughty?

Who tends her family with love and patience, too?  

Of course that is what a Mother will do.

  Author Unknown

Always In My Heart

On Saturday, the day before Valentine's Day, I attended the funeral service of a friend.  The service brought back memories of my dear mother as I saw the grief on the faces of the love ones who have lost a loving husband and father.  Losing a love one is not easy at all, especially when such a one was the most lovable person ever.
I am prepared that each time I attend a funeral service, the memory of her will come with full force.  Thank God she is in God's care.  Today, I pause to say, a golden heart stopped beating.  A perfect smile is at rest.  We know God broke our hearts to prove He only takes the best.  Always, my mother, you are in my thoughts, forever in my heart.  To some you will be forgotten, to some you will be a part of the past, but to me who love you so, your memories will always last.

My mother still lives in the minds of so many of us. Since her death, there is hardly a week goes by when someone has not dreamt her.  God bless her precious soul. It is almost a year since her death and it seemed like yesterday we sat and laugh over the many jokes she had in that brain of hers.  She and my aunt were good story tellers.  I would at times listened to them for hours as they filled me in on the history of my grandparents.  A history that shaped our lives and made us what we are today. My mother was a behind the scene person.  She hated to be the center of attraction, but quietly she worked to make things happen.  Oh, I miss her so, my mother!  You were the center of my home life.

Friends18.com Picture Comments

Today in church, most of my mother's grandchildren performed.  It was Children's Sunday. As they sang and recited I felt pleased that they were all doing what she loved the most, performing for her God.  If she was alive today and sat in that congregation I knew that there would be a smile on her lovely face.  She would be cheering for them and at the end of it all, she would have gone to each one and said, "You have done well, keep it up." Her legacy lives on and we will continue to remember a wonderful mother and grandmother. "I love you mom.  I will always remember you."

The Motherless Children Of Haiti

Today, I think of the many children in Haiti who are now motherless after this terrible tragedy. There are not only motherless, but homeless. My heart goes out to them.  There are many who will not get the opportunity to be sheltered, cared for, and loved  by the only persons who knew the bond and the connection between children and parenthood.  I am now eternally grateful to God that for most of my life my mother was there to care, shelter, defend, love, provide and to bring happiness even in the most dismal hours.  For those children, I pray for hope.  I pray that God will provide a shelter for them, a shelter where they can find joy and a love that knows no boundary.

2010 Without Mother

I am still missing you a lot mother, but I know you are safe in the arms of God. A smile is now appearing on my face and it is because I am thinking of you. Thinking of how easy it was for you to make me laugh in the times of sadness and grief. I hope everyone who continues to follow this blog realize how bless he or she is to have a mother and to learn to appreciate her in every way possible. A new year has begun and this is the first year, since I was born,  I will have to live without you. Thank you for giving me a chance to live on this earth and you will always be in my heart.