On this day, October 3rd of 1929, my hero was born. My grandmother named her Helen Rita. My Mom gave this amazing foto to my Dad in 1945, she was 16 and he was an Army Yankee boy stationed near West Palm Beach, Florida. Their paths crossed in a little church, she was playing the trumpet and he the trombone. (And 45 years later, history repeated itself as this Yankee boy was smitten by a Southern Belle singing in church!) They were married shortly after and moved to Upstate New York.
A lot remains a mystery of my Mom’s childhood. I don’t think she ever met her father and why was she sent to Bible college in Minneapolis from Florida at the age of 13?! During a college recess, this gutsy young lady took a train all by herself to Coney Island to surprise her Mom, only to find out that the surprise was on her. Four Filipino children opened the door, her mom had gotten married and they were her new brothers & sisters! Then at sixty-two, she found out that the name she used as her father’s all her life wasn’t even her father. In between these events, she went through 12 pregnancies, raised 7 sons, 2 daughters, & 29 grandchildren, while managing to stay married 50 years to my father, (perhaps her greatest accomplishment!) working full time as a nurse for over 30 years, and picking thousands of quarts of strawberries! BUT…….
…her most awesome accomplishment was instilling in her children a desire to follow Christ – no matter what! She never wavered, even in the face of death itself. The devil tried over and over to steal her joy, but she did not cave. I was with her in that little hospice room in November ’97 when she breathed her last breath. “Hallelujah”, was the last word to pass from her lips. She finally made it home to meet her REAL Father, face to face!
My Mom introduced me to missions before i can remember. Praying for & supporting missionaries was a big part of her life. I will never forget her bedside table with a glass top covering pictures of all “her Missionaries”. She was never able to go herself, but what she accomplished around the world on her knees and with her sacrificial giving, is written in the heavens. We are here in Ecuador today because of the seeds my Mom planted in me, then continued to cultivate throughout my life. I draw from her strength daily. You may not have a hero in your life like my Mom and you may not even know who your dad is, but you can make it – IF you let the life of Christ be the example you follow. With Him and thru the Holy Spirit, we can overcome all things, we can impact our world, and in the end, (which is really just the beginning) we get to meet our REAL Dad – face 2 face! Now let’s go get ‘er done!
10/04/2011
what a beautiful tribute to your mom-she was a wonderful lady and she is greatly missed but would be so proud of you-her matthew, whom she loved so much! I am grateful for the things that she instilled in you-may they be instilled in our children as well. i love u
10/06/2011
Thanks Matt for a beautiful tribute to your Mom and my Aunt Rita. I have many fond memories of her and my Mom sharing the love of Jesus together.
Shortly after your Mom and Dad were married they invited me, alone, to a Sunday dinner with them. Your Dad at the time was working on a chicken farm. ;Your Mom made me feel “So special” that day and every time I saw her to the time she went on to be with our Savior.
She now is dancing and singing with our Lord, our family and I visualize her and my Mom just rejoicing with the Lord and looking forward to see her family and extended family again.
To have this special tribute from you brings tears and memories of a “Very Special” friend and Aunt.
Love you and your family,
Chuck Richardson
10/06/2011
Hi Matt
What a great tribute to your mom. I really appreciated her and always felt welcome around her. Both your parents were great people.
10/13/2011
This is beautiful, Matt. Your Mom sure was/is a special woman. I look forward to seeing her in heaven and dancing and singing with her.
10/17/2011
I spent a lot of time with your family as a child playing with Pam and the older boys. Aunt Rita was a wonderfully example of the joy of the Lord in all circumstances. Her smile and laugh warms my heart today as I think of her. She was faithful to God and a wonderful aunt! I thank god she was one of my precious aunts. How blessed I was as a child.
10/03/2015
Beautiful tribute Matt. I had the pleasure to work with your Mom at Fulton hospital. She always had a smile and I never heard her complain about her work or her family.
You certainly are a great blessing in her honor. I am so thankful to have met you through your friendship with Martha. Have many happy memories back to your high school days and beyond. My prayer are with you and your family as you follow your Mission.
Love and Prayers,
“Mama” P
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