“ Let your father and mother be glad; let her who bore you rejoice.” Proverbs 23:25 ESV

MAMA'S DELIGHT

At 93 you would think that there’s not much delight left in her world. Aches, stiffness, diapers, and forgetfulness top anyone’s list of supposed preoccupation.

Does anything bring delight to Mom?

Oh yes. Yes there is.

 

Flowers.

Color-coordinated cloth patterns.

Music from the Piano- even if it’s me who’s playing.

And our balloon toss.

Oh, to say she is delighted is an understatement.

She comes alive. Eyes bright, arms akimbo ready to catch that balloon, unruly in its flight! She snatches it from thin air, pulls it in, and talks softly to it.

“There, there. You’re safe with me now. How are you today?”

She taps it afloat. The ceiling fan scoots it just beyond my reach. I flick it low but with her swift kick the balloon lifts to the fan's draft, right into her arms.

This next time her eyes spell mischievous. She bends close to its surface and whispers.

“Now you behave. Go straight!”

There’s the balloon carefully perched on her fingertips. With a wallop it darts across the room - smack right at me, its speed and trajectory catching me by surprise.

Mama smiles.

You’d never know there was another care in the world while we are tossing that balloon. She was all in. One hundred percent. Awakened to the brightness of the day her eyes sparkle.

“The orchids - such delicate beauty. My granddaughter is so thoughtful.”

“Oh dear, the poinsettia needs water. I think it’s drooping.”

“Is it time to eat yet?”

 

Oh, yes, there is delight at 93.

That is a delight for me, too.

“Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long in the land that the Lord your God is giving you. Exodus 20:12