Momma Say




	WRITE 2 THE HEART Stories that are aimed "Write 2 the Heart" June 3, 2004 Cheryl Speir, Editor, moderator@write2theheart.com. Welcome to your latest issue of "Write 2 the Heart." All new subscribers will receive a free downloadable copy of the e- cookbook, "Write 2 the Heart of the Chocolate Lover." *Advertisement* Tired of high cable bills? You may want to consider Dish Network. Right now you get free installation and free equipment when you sign up for one year of programming. You can get more programming than what is offered by most cable companies for less. Compare what you now have with the Dish Network programming packages at: http://cognigen.net/dish/?cbspeir Do you have a heart-touching or inspiring story to share? Send it in the body of a plain email, no graphic or colorful back- grounds please. Write 'submission' in the subject line. Don't forget to write a brief bio to introduce yourself to our readers. You may include your family friendly websites, information on your books, newsletters, and upcoming projects. Email your submission to: moderator@write2theheart.com. We always love to hear stories from new, first time writers. Until the end of June, I have a writer’s appreciation gift of a bookmark and pin for each writer whose story appears in Write 2 the Heart. There is a limit of three per author. There will be a new appreciation gift offered in July. I think I would have enjoyed Shirley’s mom. Having been guilty of throwing in odd or unusual words in my conversations with my boys, I understand how priceless the look on a child’s face can be. The added bonus is that while they try to figure out what you said, you have a little peace! What Momma Use To Say By Shirley Cox Has it really been over twenty years since Momma fell asleep to awaken in Jesus' sweet embrace? I will tell you now, I can still hear her voice. Momma knew how to turn a phrase and she loved to tell stories. Someone will use a phrase that I had only heard her use. Then I can hear her voice speaking those same words again to me. It took me years to understand what some of these phrases meant. As a child I was too shy to ask. Instead I would ponder over what Momma had just said again. She had no idea that I was perplexed, or did she? Momma was in the habit of saying: "They must be having a confab." This was always her observation whenever we came upon a group of people in the middle of the sidewalk or cars congregated in the middle of a street. Everyone was standing around talking, but nothing ever seemed to be wrong. Confab: shortened form of confabulation; to chew the fat. (Dictionary Definition) "That's a new wrinkle on my horn." Momma's response to something totally new to her. "It's five after eleven. Do you reckon they'll catch 'em?" The answer to the simple question: "What time is it?" She would always laugh at herself on this one, or maybe it was my puzzled reaction that tickled her so. You are old enough that your wants won't hurt you. Momma's answer to any request that began with "I want." "Did you hear about the man who went crazy looking for a corner in the roundhouse?" I suppose she was talking about the roundhouse at the end of the track to change the direction of the trains, but I could never understand the reason why she ever felt a need to say it. "Don't drive it into a hole and break it off." Her way of telling us to quit explaining in too much detail, asking the same question over and over, or doing anything in excess. "Whiz around the navel or diabetes of the blowhole." Whenever she was told that someone was sick, this was without fail her embarrassing diagnosis. "Everybody has their own funny ways, even you. They're family. Learn to live with it." The advice given when we complained about relatives. "Did they come to borrow some fire?" Whenever someone came in the door, said a few words and left, Momma would say this as they shut the door. According to my calculations, if you came to borrow fire, you would have to leave in a hurry to keep the fire from going out before you got home. "I just hope and pray that the good Lord gives you a child who is exactly like you." Momma's final words of exasperation after a heated discussion. It always sounded like a threat. Some people call this the mother's curse and believe it works. Many years later I could hardly believe my ears as I said the same words to my own children. "You have to wear your undershirts until after May 10." Her warning about the unpredictability of spring weather. "Don't fan yourself." This was her way of telling us to stay under the covers and away from drafts while we were running a fever. "Confound that old thing." Momma would pronounce this condemnation upon whatever had hurt one or both of her babies as she gathered one or both of us into her lap. "That's Momma's soft spot." That certain place on my cheek where she would place her kisses leaving the long-lasting impression of her red lipstick. "After your mother dies, nothing will ever be the same." Momma said this thinking about her own mother who died when she was a child. This statement is so hard to hear when you are young, but I understand now what she was feeling. Momma was right as always. "I love you." We were never in doubt that our mother loved us. I ache inside longing to talk, really talk, with my mother. It will not be much longer and I will hear her sing, feel her gentle touch, and smell the sweet fragrance of Momma once again. Shirley Anne Cox scox2 @ chartertn.net You are encouraged to write to the authors to let them know what you think of their story. Have a comment on today's story? Send it to: moderator@write2theheart.com. Shirley Anne Cox is a wife, mother, and grandmother. These roles which God have given her serve as the source of her writing material. God has recently given her this unexpected talent in order that her children and grandchildren might not forget these every- day events in time to come. Her only prayer is that these stories may be a blessing and an encouragement to others through the working of the Holy Spirit. Letters From Our Readers Ruth’s writing hit home with me. I lost my mom a few years ago and never a day goes by that I don’t miss her. God was there to carry me through the days after her death. He helps me in the lonely moments. It’s sometimes hard not to be able to pick up the phone and call her. I still see things that I know she would have liked and I feel a ping on emotion because I have no reason to buy it. Carol I’m not looking forward to the day my mother is no longer with me. We had a rocky time during my teen years, but now she is my best friend and confidant. Kelly Military Prayer Reminder As you read over this list of names, please take a moment to pray for these young people and their families: Chris Speir Tim Speir Alan Todd Holland Graham William Julie Sagel Jessie Marshal Thompson Jason Eric Hernandez Kristin Danielson Ken Prieur Ryan Larry Miele Daniel Amy John Joanne Gary Boardwine Josh Hadassah Please continue to pray for our country, our leaders, and our troops at this time. If you have loved ones in the military, or who are being called to go overseas, send their names (first and last or first only) to be included in our prayer reminder. *Advertisement* Imagine my surprise and dismay to open my e-mail program only to find over 1500 e-mails. (That is not a typo!) All of them were spam and each had a virus attached. I knew I had to do something to get a handle on this or I would be constantly swamped with spam and worried about accidentally opening a virus, trojan or a worm. I purchased MailWasher Pro. I can check and delete e-mail on the server before it hits my computer. It tells me if the e-mail is from a friend, a known spammer or has a possible virus. I love bouncing e-mails from spammers telling them they have the wrong address! Try it free for 30 days at: http://entier.ecosm.com/link/?wybyoww Copyright © 2004, Write 2 the Heart Nothing may be reproduced or published without the written permission of the individual author or copyright owner. All rights belong to the authors.