Somewhat of A Mother

Mary was well pleased with how things were unfolding. Her “Art in the Yard Sale” was Saturday and she had finished up painting enough windows for this showing. As well, she had a few nice pieces of furniture including some small chairs she had artfully reupholstered in different tapestry fabrics. Along with this she had figurines, wood pieces such as shutters, birdhouses, bows, mirrors and such to sell at very reasonable prices.
As Mary stood looking at the stuff waiting to be priced under the new gazebo that she and Robin had brought home she felt blessed. They had gone shopping and Mary had researched the prices on these shelters. There were many to choose from but the stronger, sturdier ones started at $200. There search had ended only a week ago when Robin and Mary had viewed one at Wal-Mart that seemed to be well priced. However, they left the store without it as Mary decided they needed to pray first before spending this much money.
An inspiration directed Mary to the computer where she went to the Kijiji site. Someone had just posted a used Gazebo for sale! They only wanted $30. Mary knew she had to act fast so prompted by Robin’s approval she emailed the seller back. How blessed she was for sure! Although Mary didn’t get an immediate answer and decided to go to bed she asked her husband Robin to keep checking her computer to see if she got an answer. In the past she had missed opportunities because she hadn’t hung around the computer to hear back and someone else got the object of her interest. Sure enough the next morning when Mary got up she noticed that Robin had gotten a reply and he and the other party agreed to a time for pick-up!
It had been a pretty easy ride down to the east end of Windsor. The couple they bought the pergola from were so nice and helped them put the disassembled shelter into the car. The real stress was discovering they had an almost flat tire and they had to drive in the pouring rain to find a gas station before they went any further. By the time they got the tire filled and had arrived home safely they were both exhausted.
Mary had to lie down for a while. Robin said he was going to, too, but when Mary got up he was outside with the tent half up. Mary helped as much she could with the later part of the work. It was awesome and had only a couple little tears. It had a nice canvas covering and mosquito netting to boot! Mary and Robin had been so thankful to God for this awesome answer to prayer.
With the gazebo all erected Mary was ready to unpack all the goodies for her sale. As Mary worked away each day outside she often talked to the new tenant who sat on her balcony outside the upper apartment next door. When the former residents had moved out Mary had been saddened as she had just begun to become friends with the family. But the pretty 18 year old Danielle had moved in a month later brightening Mary’s world.
She was a delight to Mary’s eyes; she could see an innocence and vulnerability in this new neighbour that was familiar to Mary. It reminded Mary of herself when she was that age. Though Danielle had been on her own since she was 15 and had been through some rough times she had maintained a sweetness and gentleness that made Mary ache to protect. Mary knew this perception and desire could only come from God who looked through Mary’s eyes and saw this young creature.
On this particular day, a very hot one at that, Danielle was on her porch sunning herself. Mary had been talking to her every day and felt maybe Danielle might think she was being too forward. She thought to mind her own business this day so continued in her work. At lunch Mary took a break and went over to see her friend Carolyn and they had a gab fest over a cappuccino at Tim Horton’s. It was a well needed break and both of them were glad for it as Carolyn had been working outside too painting her front veranda in all the heat.
Mary left and went back home to see what she could do that wouldn’t be too strenuous as it was getting so hot that it was almost unbearable to be outside pricing. As Mary looked at all her goodies and what to price next a little voice from up above cleared her throat loudly. Mary glanced upwards and saw the big smile of her new little friend looking down from her perch. “That sure is a nice gazebo”, said Danielle. The comment was an open invitation for Mary to share what their good God had done for her. Danielle was happy for Mary. It was a little bit of a surprise when Danielle next said, “Today’s my birthday”. Mary was sadly touched and wished her a happy birthday. I say, “sadly” because Mary knew that Danielle was not talking to her mother and other family members who normally would make the day a celebration.
After their short discussion Danielle disappeared into her apartment and Mary continued unpacking and pricing her goodies. Mary was thinking though. What could she do? She felt it was too early to invite her over to dinner. Her boyfriend was coming over for the evening anyways but they didn’t have enough money between them to go out for dinner. Mary’s heart sank at that thought that this very special girl would not even get out tonight on her birthday.
Mary thought back to her own past when women like Gwen had performed motherly duties in her life often sharing cards and gifts when her own mother wasn’t talking to her. In Mary’s teens and twenties her own mother had not been able to love Mary because she herself had not been loved. Mary recalled her mother telling her that she had been kicked in the rear end while washing the kitchen floor on her hands and knees. Her mother explained that she hadn’t been doing a good enough job. This picture of her mother being kicked by her grandmother stayed with Mary and helped her deal with her own mother’s rough treatment of her.
But now she had a choice to make. Here was another young woman who had a bad experience with her own mother, who possibly wouldn’t even hear from her mother never mind see her or get a card. Mary didn’t even bother phoning Robin but marched off to the store to find a card. She knew Danielle didn’t have anything. She and Robin had lugged over two chairs they had in the garage when she moved in as she didn’t even have anything to sit on! Mary couldn’t allow that; how could she ever live with herself. So Mary had offered Danielle the wing backs and between the three of them they had moved the chairs to their new home!
So Mary knew Danielle needed money more than she needed Mary to buy her some little trinket for her birthday. It would just sit on her window sill gathering dust anyways. As a result Mary went to the bank and took out some money. At home Mary wrote Danielle a short note and infolded the money and letter in the birthday card. Once she had finished Mary licking the seal she walked over and up the backstairs. She met Danielle there who fumbled for words. “You didn’t have to do that”, she said shyly.
“It’s okay”, said Mary, “sometimes God uses other woman in our life to be mother’s, Danielle, when our own can’t”. By this time Danielle had tears flowing from her eyes and Mary’s heart had welled up as big as it could get with all the warmth from giving God’s love.
Danielle and she hugged and the sweet little voice of this little chick said,” you are the only one I talk to since I came here. I have no one”. Mary hugged her again and left her to be by herself and open her card. As Mary walked away she was so grateful to have been given this opportunity to bless another.
Mary smiled a big smile to the heavenlies, to her God, and thanked Him for this chance to be somewhat of a mother to another. “Thank you”, she cried, and her own warm tears flowed down to her chest leaving stains of love on her green top. It was so wonderful, Mary thought to herself. She knew then the truth of the words, it is better to give then to receive. No gift was as grand as this, no pleasure ever better. The feeling stayed with Mary as she worked all day and even into the evening when she shared it with Robin. It had been a good day, a very good day after all.