My Mom and the Double-Mint Gum

I believe the human mind, is one of God's most wondrous creations.  It's hard to fathom just how the brain manages to store a life-time of information, which can be recalled at the slightest stimulus.  A sight, a sound or a smell can evoke a long forgotten memory.  This is exactly what happened to me today.  I rarely chew gum, but somehow either through trick-or-treat, or last weekend's band competition at Marshall University, I ended up with some double-mint chewing gum.  Today after lunch I reached in the "food/medication" drawer as I call it in the credenza behind my desk, and pulled out a stick of double-mint.  The minute I removed that familiar green paper, and peeled back the foil, the smell made me think of my dear mother.  Mom always had a pack of double-mint in her purse.  She always carried a small zip-lock "goodie bag" in her purse, containing double-mint,  as well as Brach's peppermint and butterscotch candy.  I can remember as a young child as we headed to Sunday School, reaching in Mom's purse (with her permission of course) and getting a stick of gum.  Sometimes she insisted on it.  I guess she didn't want me to have "stinky breath" and gross out my Sunday school teacher, I'm not sure.  But I can remember it like it was yesterday, driving up route 7 to the Laurel Cliff Church, with a fresh piece of double mint cracking and popping in my mouth as I chewed.    

For some reason this time of year makes me kind of melancholy.  Memories come back to me of days gone by.  My dear Mom was a wonderful lady.  She wasn't perfect, but then none of us are.  She had the arduous task of raising 2 kids by herself, when my father passed away, at the young age of 36.  She became an expert at stretching a dollar until George Washington's eyes bulged.  Not that she was a tight-wad, but we just didn't have a lot of money.  Despite being on the lower end of the economic scale, I NEVER felt poor.  She made us a good home.  She was always there for us, and she was a great country cook.  I guess I should also thank her for teaching me to cook.  That's where I first learned my love for cooking.  Watching mom make something tasty from whatever ingredients she had on hand.  I guess that's why I don't always follow a recipe exactly.  It's fun to experiment and come up with something new.  Sometimes you hit upon something really tasty, and other times, well, other times the dog may not even want it.

I am so thankful that Mom introduced me to Jesus, when I was a youngster.  At the age of 14, I finally came to the conclusion that I wanted to accept Christ and be baptized.  My Mom had never been immersed, and so she decided that she wanted to do that as well.  It was a warm summer day on June 12, 1972 when my mom and I were both baptized in a pond at Hershel McClure's farm.  I was able to share a unique experience with my mom, and I treasure that to this day. 

The last few years of Mom's life were difficult as we watched Alzheimer's take it's toll on her memory.  I still think of mom pretty much on a daily basis.  Even though I miss her terribly, I have so many good memories to keep with me.  As I kissed her forehead and said my goodbye at her funeral I was more at peace than sad.  She was tired, and ready to go home. I knew she was with the Lord she loved.  I took comfort in that, and I have many wonderful memories I hold in my heart.  Even the small ones like that of a boy getting a piece of double-mint from his mom's purse.

Comments

[i remember the double mint gum bad, too]
[great, old, crazy, nanny memories, too]

[i meant 'bag'] :)

[Tim]

Every time I smell double mint gum, I am reminded of my grandmother and how she always was chewing it.