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It was not until I got older that I really appreciated all that my mother did for me!  Oh, I always loved her but appreciate all that she did for me?  Mothers were our taxi cab, teacher, doctor, cook, laundry and the best fan any young person could have at a game.  They served meals to all that were hungry and let anyone spend the night in our house.  She was the best advisor anyone could have especially when it came to my dad and sometimes played mediator between the males in the home.

Today, as I type, I realize that it’s Mother’s Day across America and in Sunday school today Davey Ann asked us all to describe our mothers.  Mine was a saint in more ways than one. She was all of the above and more.  She kept everything in order within our family.  Meals were always on time, baths taken and homework done and then it was bedtime.

Growing up in Washington at the time I did there were more moms than you could imagine. Everywhere you went there was a mom that fed you, picked you up and advised you if you needed it.  Moms were special back then and I am sure they are now in the life of a child throughout the community.

When I left college and started my new profession in Williamston there was a mom there too.  Mrs. Gwen Whitley was her name.  Mrs. Whitley was the treasurer of Williamston High School.  She lived only a block from me and had three kids of her own and more at the school. Mrs. Whitley was always there for me and when the principal was looking for me, she calmed the waters before I arrived.  My family shared every holiday with her and her family.  She cooked the best collards and potatoes any man could eat and her husband could steam oysters better than anyone in Williamston.  Mrs. Whitley once gave me the best advice I had received.  I had received a job offer from Myers Park High School and my daughter Hope was playing tennis that day.  Mrs. Whitley got into her car and rode over to the tennis courts and began telling me how much allegiance Hope would have to MPHS.  Needless to say, I refused that job!

I am thankful for all the mothers that I had in my life!  They were not my biological mother and no one could replace her, but we all had them.  They were the phone call that our parents received when we misbehaved or the phone call from school when we were not doing our best.  We all had them and we were blessed for their being in our life!  Happy Belated Mother’s Day to you all!

Young people today, realize that you have a pair of eyes always looking at you and you are only a phone call away.  Hope that you will realize this and grow to appreciate all that your mom does for you like I have!  Love you, Mom!

They were the best of times with the best of friends and in the best of places Washington, N.C.!  The Original Washington!

Harold Jr.