My Mom, Clara Tiede, was the best Mom I could have ever had. With one year of Junior College she became a school teacher and taught for many years in several different one room schools in rural South Dakota. She met my Dad, Arnett at the county fair and they soon fell in love. Then World War II intervened. She prayed every day for his safe return. When the war ended they soon married and in 1949 she became a mom when I was born. It was a mystery to me but my Mom could tell if something was wrong by just watching me walk up the driveway after school. My Mom loved Jesus and she loved my Dad and she loved me and my sister Carol. She was always my cheerleader. She prayed for me every day of my life.
In her final years Mom had Alzheimer’s and endlessly repeated herself. Here is one conversation that she and I had many many times. It always began with a question:
Mom: Robert do you know what?
Me: What Mom?
Mom: I Love You!
Me: I love you too!
Mom: But you know what?
Me: What Mom?
Mom: But you work too hard!
Me: Mom where do you think I got that “Work Too Hard Gene?”
Mom and Me: Laughter
Me today: Just remembering this conversation today makes me feel very loved!
My Mom has been in heaven since January of 2005. Since then I realized that there are so many questions that I wished I had asked her!
Mother’s Day is this coming Sunday, May 14, 2017. What are your plans for honoring your Mom? Bet they are great! Would you like to add horsepower to what you already have planned? Would you like to find out somethings about your Mom that you don’t know? Do you know how you can? You are 100% right! – All you have to do is just ask her some questions!
Here are 10 Questions to ask your Mom (or Grandma) on Mother’s Day: (You might even want to videotape your Mom as she answers)
1. What are your favorite memories of times you spent with your Grandparents?
2. What was your grade school like? What do you remember about your favorite teacher?
3. Who was your best friend? And what did the two of you like to do?
4. What kind of things did you do as a kid that got you into trouble at home or school?
5. Growing up what did you want to be?
6. Outside of the family, what was the very first job you had that you got paid for?
7. How did you meet Dad? (Grandpa) How did he ask you to marry him?
8. What is the hardest thing that you ever had to do in your life?
9. What is the greatest compliment that you have ever received?
10. What is one thing you still want to do that you have never done? (What is still on your “Bucket List?”)
Bonus Question: If your Mom’s answer on any question leaves you wanting to know more, simple ask: Mom can you please tell us more about that?
Bonus Question: If your Mom (Grandma) is a Follower of Jesus, ask: Is there a story you can share about how you came to be a Follower of Jesus?
You can add to the list! In fact, would you please share your additional question(s) in the comment section? Thank you very much!
Borrowing from a Zig Ziglar saying: “If you ask your Mom these questions, you will be glad you did! If you don’t ask your Mom these questions, you will wish you had!” I know I wish I had! I am betting on you – that you will be glad you did!
