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Friday, March 11, 2011

Princess of the King

Once upon a time there lived a sweet young girl who met the Prince of her dreams.

She was clever in mind but shy in spirit.
Her parents were very strict religious folk and she was not allowed to do many things.
 No make-up.
No movies.
No dancing.
    No boyfriends.
So when she met A, she fell deeply in love and kept him a secret.
Eventually her parents found out.
Her father was against her Prince.
He was not a believer, and, he was 14yrs her senior.

The Prince and Princess, are my parents.
My father passed to Glory almost 30yrs ago.
My mother turns 93yrs shortly.

My father was a soldier in the second World War.
He came home a changed man and rarely spoke of the experience.
He served in the Middle East and after returning from there was sent to New Guinea and the Kokoda Trail.
He suffered from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. 

Two sisters and a brother were born prior the war.
I and my brother were born after.
I am the baby in arms.



Crystal with Mummy.

My mother has always been a very strong woman, she's had to be. 
Last week my husband and I travelled down to meet up with my family. Mum has recently made the transition into a Nursing Home. She turns 93yrs on the 23rd of this month. She is legally blind and requires 24/7 care.
With mixed feelings we have needed to go through her belongings. I am keeping her treasured writing desk, it is over 60yrs old. Inside the desk I discovered a few photo negatives. The photo above is one of these.. For me, it is a rare treasure.

Where are we going in life, and what impact will we leave??
Mum gave all her children security and stability.
She also gave us a faith in Jesus Christ...the only Savour to give His life for His people.

Mum's new home is "The Abbey" situated on the southern highlands of New South Wales. It's a long way from me, yet close to my elder sister.
It is a peaceful place sitting on the side of a hill and with views over many more.


                        A bell greets:

                                  And Saint Frances welcomes:

My mother last week..
                       My heart mind and thoughts are continually with her.


 Psalm 139
God's Word read's for my mother.

"For you created my inmost being;
you knit me together in my mother’s womb.
I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
your works are wonderful,
I know that full well.


My frame was not hidden from you
when I was made in the secret place.
When I was woven together in the depths of the earth,
your eyes saw my unformed body.
All the days ordained for me
were written in your book
before one of them came to be."


God Loves My Mother, (as He does us)
She was not perfect, as none of us are.
But, she Is Important To Him.
And she Is Never Forgotten.
She waits for the day when she meets Him, face to face.

Mum's favourite flower.
The dessert pea, found Outback.








47 comments:

  1. Beautiful share ... the love is so strong.
    Happy St. Patrick's Day ~
    TTFN ~ Marydon

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  2. The love you continue to have for your mother will never leave and your Heavenly Father will continually support you. I have been there and it is a tough road to follow.

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  3. It is so hard to deal with this stage in a parents life and my prayers are with you all and her. My path was similar to yours and I always try to remember my mother made the right decision at the time and for those circumstances then. This was a lovely bittersweet post. I still see your Moms beauty in her face.

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  4. That picture of your mother holding you - looks just like you now! She was beautiful. I remember having to put my mom in a home - it nearly killed me - so I know you are hurting. It is hard when our parents age. It does look like a very nice place. Glad she's ready to meet the Lord. Sandie

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  5. What a beautiful way to share your parents story. Wow, finding that photo of Crystal and Mum really was a special gift. Thank you for sharing your story with us. I am inspired by your testimony of faith.

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  6. What a beautiful tribute to a beautiful woman. We all have a story and I so love to hear those stories. I am a better story listener than story teller. Blessings to you and your entire family.
    QMM

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  7. War gives many a person secret demons; it's a shame it affected your parent's marriage. It's obvious your mother was a blessing to you. And I know that you are the same to her.

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  8. Such kind tender remarks from you all.
    It helps so much. God Bless.

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  9. A very moving post with some difficult memories. Thanks for sharing with us.

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  10. Thank you for sharing those precious photos and memories Crystal Mary. Much love xx

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  11. Thank you for sharing, I am sure it will touch many hearts, as it touched mine.

    I like what you asked: "Where are we going in life, and what impact will we leave??" And your Mum gave you faith in Jesus Christ. This is a most important question we all should ask of ourselves.

    Blessings,
    Ken

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  12. Hi Crystal Mary,

    I feel your pain here and your joy as well. Thank you for sharing this with us, this walk you are on. Your mum is beautiful and she looks peaceful. She looks like she is an amazing women and you have been so blessed to have a mum like this, a mum who gave you the best gift ever; Jesus. How hard it must have been for her being a Christian and her husband not. I am thankful she held on to her faith and didn't loose it. Makes for a tough marrige, one believer and one not.

    Praying for you sister,
    <><

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  13. Thank you for sharing and for giving of yourself. You had some tough times in life, but you had good parents who loved you and raised you the right way, with God at the center. Thanks---and God continue to bless.

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  14. It's so amazing that you found that negative and what mystery it held. What a treasure. Your mother was a beautiful woman.
    Nancy

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  15. Taoi, God Bless you.

    Bob, Thank you.

    June, love to you to.

    Ken, So true brother.

    C of God, It wasn't easy. Thank you for your prayers.

    Clint, We never realise another's story. God Bless.

    Nancy, Finding that negative! you will never know what a joy I felt. It was gold.

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  16. A very nice tribute, and I'm so glad you included the current photo too, her face still recognizable from the earlier photos.

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  17. This is a beautiful, touching post. A wonderful tribute to your Mom.

    Blessings,
    Joan

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  18. What a precious, treasured photo you found in your Mum's writing desk. My heart is heavy for you as I lost my mother 2 years ago and she was legally blind also. My heart and prayers are with your Mum, you and your family. Shortly before passing, my mom could clearly "see" and tried to describe beauty that could have only been Heaven and even "recognized by sight" those gone before. Sending my heartfelt wishes for God to give you all strength and peace.

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  19. What a beautiful legacy. I hope my children will be able to say I gave them strength.

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  20. This is such a precious post! Your mom was a strong woman to raise you all. I do have to get tickled at the picture of your family when it was young - - - why did people of that era never smile for the camera? Your family is not the only one. Almost every picture of persons at that time photographed the same way.
    I know it is difficult seeing your mom in the nursing home but it is good your sister is nearby. It is so hard to see our parents' quality of life decline. My mom's last year was as a dialysis patient. She passed at only 69 yrs of age - - - that was 10 years ago.

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  21. A lovely post about your mother, she sounds a lovely lady. All of your photos are so good to have but the one of your and your mother is wonderful; you are so cute and your mother is stunning.

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  22. I've never seen this kind of flower...it's amazing...brilliant and your mom and those pictures...in some ways makes me sad...sad that your mom had to be so strong....but glad for you and your sibs that she was....and sad that she's not frail...Crystal....your memory of your mom is so good....she gave you the best of the best...she gave you Him....I think your mom's beautiful. ☺

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  23. Old photos are such a treasure! Your words "Where are we going in life, and what impact will we leave??" are so true. Your dear mother introduced you to Jesus. That is the most important imact you can have on a life.

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  24. that's a sad story. Princes and princesses are supposed to live "happily ever after."

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  25. Wow, what a great tribute to your mother, she sounds like an awesome woman. I will keep her in my prayers:)

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  26. What a special telling of the story of your parents and wonderful photos of your mother at different times of her life. None of us are perfect but He is, as are His plans for us. We can only do the best we can to live as He would have us live. I'm sure your parents did they best they could. God bless you and your mother!

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  27. Dear Crystal Mary,
    First you blessed me with a comment on my new "God Rocks" blog before I was even finished putting it together... Thank you!
    Then you blessed me with this post and a flood of memories of my own Momma, and of my husband's precious Aunt Mae whom we helped care for.
    Thank you, also, for the advice of "Prayer walking" around our church after I posted the difficulties our church is going through.
    Wishing you (and your mother) God's peace,
    Esther Joy
    P.S. Got a question - Did your father's PTSD have anything to do with your going into psych nursing?

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  28. Those are wonderful pictures of your family. I know how difficult a similar situation was for my mother when her Mum could no longer live alone, so my thoughts are with you. But as you said, she is a strong woman and at least your sister is nearby.

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  29. Very touching... Praying for you and your mom.

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  30. Wonderful photos with complete memories attached.

    And having never seen a kookaburra I have to say I'm downright jealous of that amazing image on your header. I never knew they were such stunning birds. Just beautiful.

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  31. Dear Crystal,
    Sending prayers for you and your mom...and this is such a touching story...and your mom is sure a survivor and I am sure that you gained strength from her...Wishing you a beautiful Sunday, my friend.
    Love,
    Cindy

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  32. Crystal Mary what a precious Mum you have, and she has been blessed with a very long life. I enjoyed reading her story too. All of the pictures you posted are so nice thank you for sharing these. The Abby sounds like a wounderful place and it looks very pretty there. I have never seen nor heard of this flower it's gorgious. I will remember your Mum in my prayers. Many blessings to you and your family.

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  33. The photographs are a treasure - as are your memories of a fine human being. Thanks for sharing both with us.

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  34. Before reading the caption under the picture of your mother holding you, I had the thought, "She looks like a strong woman." And then at the bottom, it shows that she really is strong...to have lived all these years.

    God bless you and God bless your mother.

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  35. I'm sure this must of been a hard decision, but it looks like the Lord was with you while making it.
    God Bless,
    Ginger

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  36. What a beautiful post and what a wonderful way to honor your mother. God be with you and with her during this time of transisiton for her.

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  37. Thank you Crystal for stopping by my blog...I am returning the favor...what an amazing story but so wonderful that you can document it...along with pictures...Australia looks beautiful,never been but know some friends who have relatives there. Retired? Well, I am pretty close and it sounds wonderful....have a great week..and bless you..

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  38. This is such a heartwarming post, so moving. I can feel your pain, but in this life, we are not spared from the heartache and the pain... the reality of living.

    We will look forward to eternity where there will be no sickness, and no one will ever grow old, and there will be no goodbyes.

    Love to you today, Crystal.

    Lidj

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  39. for having been through my parents things, first for my mom, and then she passed away; i then took my father out of his home and had to empty that. and now, after two years, he's back at the hospital, and i had to empty his room as he will not be returning there but will go to another facilities that'll better answer his current needs. i was asked to keep his stuff to a minimum. seeing 84 years of existence reduced to so little broke my heart despite the way i feel about the man... it's like the system does it on purpose of stripping people of everything, their home, their memories, their soul even... we mean well but it still seems unfair. back in the days, big old houses could contain 3 to 4 generations and one would tend to the other, hopefully in dignity. now, it's a business...
    as you can see, i have issues of my own about this. i can only wish you good luck with all of this. may it all be for the best.

    BTW: i noticed what you wrote below your header. if you want the french version:
    God is my refuge and my strength = "Dieu est mon refuge et ma force".

    or you could say:
    "Dieu est mon havre de paix et ma force" = God is my safe haven and my strength.

    just so you know...
    :)~
    HUGZ

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  40. Dear Crystal Mary,
    Thank you so much for sharing this part of your life!! Your mother is beautiful. You are beautiful too from inside and out. Your dear mother looks just like a real sweetheart. I loved to see the video that you have shared with your mom playing the harmmonica. I can understand what you have been through. I can feel that you are hurting. I give you my shoulder, sweet Crystal, if you wish to cry. I think we have been thinking in the same things. I also wanted to post a poem for my dear mom who is dwelling in Heaven with the Lord. I shall post it soon. I invite you to read it, if you like. Unfortunately, my dear mom lived a short life, since she passed at the age of 59, but not from a natural death. She was killed by doctor's malpractice. I was in New York back then with my little child. My father did not tell me that she had been hospitalized. Then, all of a sudden, my mom went for a colonoscopy test. But, she came out dead minutes after her test. Doctors or butchers, I should say, broke her poor intestines. She had internal bleeding. This happened overseas. I had to fly from New York right away. But, my dear mom was gone forever. Then, I returned to New York with my poor heart broken into million pieces. I was changed to become another woman forever. I miss my mom so dearly!! So, I can truly understand your kind of pain, my sweet friend, Crystal Mary. However, you should be happy in a way to have a mother for so long. She is a real blesssing into your life. She is still alive at the age of 93. I wish I had my dear mother with me. She would be 85 years old this day. I have written many poems for my dear mother. Perhaps, you may read one of my poems for your mom when you visit her next time. Tell her that your Internet American friend said that she is very beautiful and a sweet darling, and I loved to see her playing the harmmonica in your video. Well, you have a wonderful blog right here, sweet Crystal. You have got so many followers by now. God bless you, Crystal, and all those you love!! God bless your dear mother!!
    In God's Garden,
    Starry Dawn.

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  41. So many to answer??
    I have read them all and thank you so very much.

    It is very hard to see a person reduced..but it come to us all. Not that saying this helps, it doesn't..I feel very sad about her. She won't live with any of us and we are all getting older as well. My sister is also an R.N. and wonderful in making sure mum is getting proper care.

    Tickle, Thank you for the French!! My maternal great grandmother was french. Surname Cozens.
    I wrote it here in Italian because that is my second language besides English. My children are half Italian.

    Starry, So very very sorry about your mum. My heart goes out to you. Big hug. xx

    God Bless all.

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  42. Hi Crystal Mary -

    This is so precious about your mother, and the scripture passages that you expressed.

    Thank you, dear lady, for sharing this lovely message.

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  43. Crystal it's me again.
    Just to let you know my heart goes out to you and to remind you that even though your father had issues to deal with you were still his little baby girl and no matter where he was he always remembered all of you. That's just the way it is with men. Love you girl. Geoff.

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  44. Witam Państwa
    Gorąco współczuję wiem jak to jest kiedy odchodzi najbliższa osoba na świecie. Ja straciłam ojca 33 lata temu, mamę 25 lat temu.
    Od 43 lat mam swoją rodzinę męża Józefa, syna Bernarda synową Monikę i ukochanego wnuczka Mikołaja, jestem spełniona w życiu, ale ciągle brakuje mi Matki - jak wody na pustyni. Serdecznie pozdrawiam.

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  45. Przepraszam za tłumacza
    w moim komentarzu zrobił bardzo złe tłumaczenie.
    w języku polskim słowo " gorąco współczuję" wyraża ból.
    Tłumacz podał "współczuję żartować"
    a u nas słowo żartować znaczy - śmiać się dowcipkować.
    Tłumaczowi należy wybaczyć bo choć niekiedy wstawi coś śmiesznego to i tak robi "dobrą robotę", ponieważ łączy ludzi na całym świecie nieznających języków obcych. Ciekawe co w tym komentarzu poprzestawia? Dziękuję Państwu za czas poświęcony dla mnie.

    Idzie wiosna życzę samych pogodnych dni. Ira

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  46. Your Mother is beautiful. How blessed you are to still have her. I lost my Mom to Lung Cancer in October 2010. I miss her with all my heart. I hope to someday be with her again.

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Please take the time to leave a comment. I enjoy reading your replies. Often you encourage or teach me something I need to know. Life is full of wonderful surprises, so go ahead and AMAZE me today.

Dio ti ama così siamo connessi.