My forearm tattoo representing Mom's heartbeat leading into eternity at the cross of Christ.
In 2014, I lost my mother. She was known in our community as Momma Jean. When I came out to her about my identity as a gay person in my mid teens, she already knew. Of course she did, all mothers know their children. I was blessed that she was an opened minded person, more so, that she was a true mother. Her kids came first, at all cost. Even when we became adults she lived by that rule, to a fault. Having my mothers support and understanding was something I did not take for granted, especially as I became older and others told of how their parents turned their backs on them. At first, my dad wasn't so understanding but eventually he came around. I ask myself, how can a parent do that! Momma wasn't only an understanding parent, she and I were friends. How can parents genuinely turn their back on their child because of an identity that cannot be changed. We do not turn our backs on the heterosexual, they cannot change their identity. To me, that is absurd. My Mom did not hide me or my partner. She acknowledged us openly as her daughter and daughter's partner. Her heart was wide open and took on so much love for others that I thought her heart would explode. She was all inclusive regardless of race, gender, social status etc. I remember once when I was younger, mom and dad took us camping to our favorite place in Mountain View. Our neighbor was a black family and their son was my brother's age, they were friends. His mom and dad let him go camping with us. Keep in mind that we are in the South and this happened back in the very early 80's, maybe around 82. Several onlookers stared and pointed fingers in our direction, especially when dad yelled for us to get out of the water because "your Momma's got lunch ready".
Mom had a passion to play the drums and sing, which she did from the early age of 15. I am including a few of her gospel songs from their albums by Strangers Home. I hope you enjoy the music. She has left a pretty amazing legacy behind. Let me tell you just how unconditional her love for people truly was, the legacy she left. There is a well known individual in our town that is known for not always making the best choices. He has lived his life just as he pleases and some people may even call him a 'rascal'. Mom genuinely cared for him and spoke to him, invited him into her home if he was with someone visiting or she would take the time to give him a hug and invite him back to her home. She meant it. When Momma passed from this life, this man came to her home and asked to speak to me. We were standing outside when he asked if he could have the honor of digging my mothers plot. He told me he dug the plots for his mother and a few family members and he wanted to do that for Momma. I was floored to say the least. I was humbled at that very moment and felt her unconditional love surrounding us. I said yes.
I saw him at the grave site service, he was in the very back. After the service was over, a friend of mine captured him in a picture removing the bandanna from his head and tying it onto the handle of her coffin, when no one else was around. She said he wiped the tears from his eyes and nodded a farewell before climbing onto his motorcycle and drove away. Someone had asked if I wanted the bandanna removed, I said a definite No! That was his personal contribution and it belonged to her. Now friend, that is the sight of what God's love looks like.
Mom had a passion to play the drums and sing, which she did from the early age of 15. I am including a few of her gospel songs from their albums by Strangers Home. I hope you enjoy the music. She has left a pretty amazing legacy behind. Let me tell you just how unconditional her love for people truly was, the legacy she left. There is a well known individual in our town that is known for not always making the best choices. He has lived his life just as he pleases and some people may even call him a 'rascal'. Mom genuinely cared for him and spoke to him, invited him into her home if he was with someone visiting or she would take the time to give him a hug and invite him back to her home. She meant it. When Momma passed from this life, this man came to her home and asked to speak to me. We were standing outside when he asked if he could have the honor of digging my mothers plot. He told me he dug the plots for his mother and a few family members and he wanted to do that for Momma. I was floored to say the least. I was humbled at that very moment and felt her unconditional love surrounding us. I said yes.
I saw him at the grave site service, he was in the very back. After the service was over, a friend of mine captured him in a picture removing the bandanna from his head and tying it onto the handle of her coffin, when no one else was around. She said he wiped the tears from his eyes and nodded a farewell before climbing onto his motorcycle and drove away. Someone had asked if I wanted the bandanna removed, I said a definite No! That was his personal contribution and it belonged to her. Now friend, that is the sight of what God's love looks like.