In Memorial of My Mother Thelma

[Gwen Johnson]

My Mother was Part Native American and Part English. She was born In Crawford Oklahoma and she was the eldest girl of 13 children. My mother became a mother at a young age, taking on the responsibilities of her mother when she became ill. She learned mothering skills early. I never really knew alot about my mother until I was a mother myself and in my twenties. She was Shy and reserved. I found out alot about the things in life my mother had to endure.
My father was a very bad alcaholic. He spent an aweful lot of money and time drinking. He would leave mom alone with 5 children by herself to fend for them all the best she could. Many times they lived in one room shacks with very littel to eat. My mother had to do everything for her children. I was not born into that time, so these are stories from her and the other siblings I have.

I know he continued to drink when I was a girl and even into young adulthood. I watched my mother day after day slave over a hot stove, keep everything from falling apart. She was my hero.

I didnt really know until I became a mother, just all the things she had to endure and the things she had to do to keep her family going. I do now.

There is no way I could thank her for the things she had to go through, I dont think that words are enough. Now that she has passed my thoughts wonder to her quite often, and I believe I love her more today for the things she speaks to me even since she has been gone.

Sometimes I have questions or needs and all it takes is for me to hear her voice with answers or to see a vision of her doing something and My answers are met. She may be gone in the physical sense, but she is so much here in spirit. I love you mom and you have blessed my life in making me a survivor a woman who can in spite of adversity. You Are My Hero.