My brother had to give a speech for one of his classes and he chose to speak
from his heart about our precious Momma. He portrayed her so wonderfully and
we are truly blessed to have known her love and compassion.
My brother gave me permission to place his speech on this page...it is a start
to healing my heart so thank you, bro, for allowing me to do this. I love you.
I REMEMBER MOMMA
Yesterday was Mother’s Day. That’s very appropriate, because I am here today to
celebrate the life of my mother. Just about a year ago, on a Friday, I made the
drive to my parents’ house. I saw my mother that day, and had a nice visit with her.
When it came time to part, I gave her a hug and told her I loved her. I spoke to her on
the phone that following Sunday. She sounded really congested and I was concerned. She
promised me she would go to the doctor on Monday. On Monday night my dad told me she
had pneumonia...but she wouldn’t go to the hospital. You see, Momma…we all called her
Momma…took care of an elderly woman named Ann every night. There was no one else
available to stay with Ann that night, so Momma went. That next morning, May 25th,
Momma passed quietly away.
Dad followed Momma just 7 ½ months later. I had an opportunity to speak at his funeral...
and it made me feel a little better. But it also made me regret that I hadn’t thought
to take that opportunity at Momma’s funeral. Now, as we are gathered here a year later,
I’d like to take this opportunity to say a few words about my momma, Betty Pitts.
If you were acquainted with Betty, you know that Betty was big. But …..If you knew Betty,
really knew her, then you know that Betty HAD to be big. She had to be big because she
had such a big heart that it just wouldn’t have fit into a small woman. I can remember
seeing tears in Momma’s eyes because she had seen on the news how some family had suffered
a tragedy. These were people she didn’t even know….yet she shared their pain. Betty loved
everyone. My wife told me that she fondly remembered their first meeting. Momma met her at
the door with a great big bear hug……because Betty had a big heart...and she loved everyone.
She loved to laugh, too. She loved to tell these corny little jokes that I had heard a
hundred times before. But I couldn’t help but laugh when she told them. I had to laugh
because she enjoyed them so much. She had a hard time getting through the joke because
she would be laughing so hard….laughing so hard that tears would be running down her face.
Betty’s hands were rough from her years of working in restaurant kitchens, but she loved
music, and it was amazing what beautiful music those rough hands could wring out of her
electric organ. Betty loved to sing, too. At just about every visit to her house, she
would play the organ and sing a few songs…..mostly gospel hymns. Her voice was sweet and
pure…just like she was.
Betty was always cheerful, always ready to greet a friend with a smile…..and everyone
was a friend. She was always glad to help a friend, too. It’s no surprise that Momma chose
to stay with Ann that night instead of going to the hospital. She felt a sense of duty
and she always found charity in her heart…especially for a friend….and everyone was a friend.
Betty was always very caring, and thoughtful. No holiday ever passed without her sending me
a card…always signed “much love, Momma”. Sometimes, I’d be surprised to find a greeting card
from her in the mailbox. There was no particular reason, she’d just find one that made her
think of me, and she would send it to me.
Betty lived a life of love and laughter, music and mirth, cheer and charity, kindness and
caring, and all for family and friends. For me, she was always both family AND friend...
she was always one of my best friends. And I’m glad I got the chance to hug her one last
time. I’m glad I got the chance to say “I love you” one last time. Though I miss her, I
know she is still happy. That’s why I choose to celebrate her life.
And so, in closing, I’ll simply say…. “Happy Mother’s Day, Momma.”
Please take a moment or two to leave your
comments in my Guestbook. *smile*
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