“I am distressed for thee … very pleasant hast thou been unto me: thy love to me was wonderful, passing the love of women.” 2 Samuel 1:26
As we celebrate Mother’s Day this year with our Mothers, our wives, and with church family, it is my first one without my Mom. How lovely and pleasant was my Mom! She was swift and strong! Mom was entirely dedicated to her family and friends. She gave, sacrificed, and supported my dad and my three other siblings. Mom was a loyal friend with some people that she kept through her entire life.
When I went to visit my Mom in hospice care on December 21-22, 2015, I knew it would be the last time I would see her before she eventually died early in the morning on December 23. I went with a list of things I had written down of some of the wonderful things she did with me, to remember the times we shared. It was not a full list, but it was a start.
I went through each one, thanking her for all the support she gave to me.
“Thanks Mom for being there when I ran around the track as a Freshman in High School, in Hackensack, NJ in the rain and won a gold medal.”
“Thanks Mom for holding up the kitchen tent when a tornado was about to blow it down in Myrtle Beach, SC.” We remembered the spaghetti pot toppling off the Coleman stove onto the dirt floor with three inches of water and a bird flying around in the tent. I was on one side of the tent and my mom on the other side.
“Thanks Mom for being there when I fell off my bicycle in the third grade and sharing one of the worst moments of my life with me.” She met me that day with love as I cried tears with blood streaming out of my mouth and face.
“Thanks Mom for all the peanut and butter jelly sandwiches with Red Raspberry jelly, of course.”
“Thanks Mom for sending me to my room to wait for Dad to get home for some needed discipline after burning my neighbor’s jacket.”
“Thanks Mom for having fairs with Dad to raise money for Midget football.” My Dad helped start a midget football program in town.
Thanks Mom for telling me when I showed interest in spiritual things, “Matthew, maybe someday you would like to be preacher.” I told her those words had weight.
I kissed her and whispered in her ear, “I love you Mom.” She said, “I love you too Matthew. I love all my children.” “Thank you Mom for your loyalty and support. Thank you for Always being there for me.”
Dad left to go to the store. Mom and I were alone. She was wide awake, eyes wide open. I got on my knees and took her hands. I said, Mom, “I love you,” and she said the same. I cried, and said, “I may not see you again. It is hard to say goodbye and let go.” “I love you Matthew,” she said. And those were pretty much her last words.
It is a sadly surreal experience to say goodbye to your Mom, knowing you will never see her again. It was sad, but then, it was a blessing. To hear from your mother on her deathbed, I love you. To tell your Mother I love you, and those were the final words. I will cherish that moment for the rest of my life.
Mom, your life has ended, but our love for you has not. Your presence made our home. Your sacrifice, support, and strength gave my siblings and me, confidence and so much more.
She taught us so many important lessons: hope, to dream, to persist and never give up, to love and to work hard. She expected us to succeed whether it was a game, or as a parent or in our work.
Her loss is immeasurable and inexpressible, but the love she had for us cannot be lost and the memories will always be sweet. Life will never be the same, but we will always feel her hand in ours and have a 1000 memories in our mind. Thanks, Mom.
I praise God that my Mom brought me into this world so that I could meet the Lord Jesus. He is a wonderful Savior and my best friend. Through the grace of His death on the cross, I am forgiven, and through the power of His resurrection, I live in Him and have the sure hope of heaven. In the midst of our pain we know God through our Lord Jesus Christ is supreme love, God gives sure hope, and God gives sweet peace.
It is my supreme desire for my family and friends to also know and love Jesus. I love you all and I know Jesus loves you the most.
Linda Recker
Linda Recker Linda Recker Mt. Pleasant – Linda Recker, 84, of Mount Pleasant, SC died peacefully December 23, 2015. She was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania on March 19, 1931, the daughter of Lois and Harold Rodee. Linda is survived by her husband, Gary Recker; children, David (Rex), Matthew, Amy and Tracy; grandchildren, Rachael, Brian, Daniel, Abby, Spencer and Declan. Linda received her Bachelor’s from Ohio Wesleyan University, where she was a proud member of the Tri-Delta sorority, and her Masters of Library Science from Simmons College in Massachusetts. Linda lived in New York City and worked for the NY Public Library for three years until her children came. She and Gary then relocated to Cresskill, NJ, where she raised the family and worked as a stay-at-home mom for 15 years and kept very busy with all the children’s activities, including PTA, Little League baseball and Midget football. In addition, she served on the Cresskill Town Council for 9 years and was instrumental in helping to build the new borough hall. Eventually, Linda went back to work as a librarian at New Milford Public Library and then ended her career at West Caldwell Library. Linda and Gary retired to the Isle of Palms, where they resided for 4 years, and then relocated to Mt. Pleasant, where Linda worked as a docent at the Old Exchange. She was a member of The Newcomers Club and East Cooper’s Women’s Club, where she served as President for a year.
