"Mom Was A Lady But She Worked Like A Man"

Today's guest post comes from Betty (Dolly) Ormsbee Northrup.

To see the details and instructions of the original "Honoring Martha" post, click here. If you haven't responded yet, please do! We want to get as many responses as possible. We are planning on having them all made into a booklet, so the sooner we get them, the better! We think this is an awesome way to honor an amazing woman who has touched so many lives! ~Love, Stacie 

 

My mother, Martha - Mom was a lady but she worked like a man and she instilled in all three of us girls her work ethic. Whenever I had a job that required the help of a man , Mom would say, "Why can't we do it? " Mom was Women's Lib and didn't even know it. I remember when my kids were little and our pipes froze - Mom came up and wrapped the pipes with newspaper and duct tape because I couldn't leave the kids alone upstairs.

Do you girls remember when we went to pick apples and who climbed the tree to shake the apples down? Mom, of course. She couldn't pass by a creek without taking off her shoes, rolling up her pants and wading in it. Bonnie and I used to sit in Mom's nice warm house with a cup of tea while Mom was outside sliding down hill with our kids. No fancy sleds for Martha either, she made do with a hunk of cardboard, plastic or tire tubes that John Banks would bring home for her.

Once, I had a snake set up residence in my ceramics shop and there is no bigger "woose" when it comes to snakes, then me. I called Mom and she came up with a 5 gallon bucket, a hoe and went to work. She took the snake out back and killed it -forever my hero.

Mom could cook and bake like no one I've ever known except for Grandma Harvey and Grandma Reynolds. She loved her family and cooking for them - I know, my boys always looked forward to the chocolate pies Grandma made just for them on Holidays. We can't speak Tom's name without thinking cream puffs. Tom liked them so Mom made them for him every time he came to visit. She would work at Bible Camp, in the kitchen, so that Bonnie and I could go for free.

Mom loved our father with a such a love as did he her. They had their moments but there was always love there. They held strong to each other and protected each other from the ragings of the world around them. Mom was a pillar of strength when Daddy left us. She held him in loving arms so he could feel her as he slipped away to Heaven. She was such a testimony at Dad's funeral and made it clear that she knew where he was and would see him again. I only wish that God would see fit to re-unite them soon.

Mom loved us so completely but her love for her Heavenly Father was by far her greatest love. Since her salvation she touched so many lives, leading souls to Christ through her Sunday School ministry, helping build the church on Covered Bridge. Bonnie, Pat, remember the countless week-ends in Cannonsville tearing down that church to build ours? We had some good times exploring those abandoned houses. 

Mom never gave herself credit for having talent but she was so gifted! We would come home from school to find her recovering a chair, or the curtains down and windows wide open as she washed windows. She had this jewelry box that she covered with string, foil and shoe polish. It was amazing and sat on her dresser forever. Hey, girls, remember buying one dress pattern and matching material for the Easter Sunday Mother Daughter look-alike dresses? Her gifts of personality, hospitality and love - always opening her home for someone who needed a place to stay or food when they were hungry.

I could go on forever and may contribute more later. It all sounds past tense as I'm writing it and it is because this beautiful, vibrant, energetic, loving woman has already left us. Her body is here but instead of giving care she needs it herself. Some of you might think that asking God to take her Home is heartless but it's the most loving gift we could give Mom. Another thing, the Alzheimer's Association and Hospice are amazing organizations. Without Hospice Bonnie's life would be rougher than it already is and Alzheimer's is doing continual research to prevent others like Mom from succumbing to this rotten disease. If you want to pay tribute to Mom maybe a contribution in her name would be a great way to do it.

I love you all and especially my brave sister who stepped up to care for Mom so she wouldn't have to go to a nursing Home.

Dolly   

Thanks Aunt Betty, for taking the time to write this! I know what you mean..... it seems so sad to refer to Grandma in the past tense.... but you are so right. We lost the real Martha a while ago. I know we all long for the day when we can be reunited in heaven with “the Martha that was.” I bet there will be lots of exploring all those mansions, hiking on the Streets of Gold and pulling up our robes to wade in the River of Life! :-) After I see Jesus, next on my agenda will be to find Grandma and Grandpa! What a reunion that will be! I love you too! ~Stacie