They Called Her Gammy

But I called her, "Mom."
I first met her before marrying Joey.
Our wedding pictures were the only pictures I’ve ever seen Gammy sad. I’ve since learned, it’s never easy to give away a son. But she did.
By doing so, she gained a daughter.

When our first baby was born, she arrived a few hours later. A practice she kept for every baby born afterward.
I could count on chicken soup, fried chicken, cleaning and laundry and so much more. 
I’d cry when she’d leave, wondering how could I be a mom to all these boys without her help?
I’m not sure where my mothering skills would be without her.
It was from her I learned to look for long hair wrapped around little toes and fingers, and how to prop pillows just so, so their little head wouldn’t get bumped when they toppled over.
She showed me even changing diapers could be a moment to cherish.

Nor without her would I have a clue how to cook like a Mexican. 
Not by any exact measurement, but a pinch of this, a bit of that, and taste and see. 
She’d serve everyone, making sure their portion was “just so.” 
She didn’t just make a meal, she poured out her love.
When we visited, we could count on a full spread, whether we arrived in the morning, or late at night.
Her meals carried us through, whether it was for another day, or until we’d see her again.
When Joey’d returned home from his army weekend, the boys looked for the saved comics, left-over burritos and bananas. 
A little reminder of her house brought to ours.

She shared stories of childhood, being a wife, and life.
In her reminiscing, she taught me to savor those moments with family^—
To cherish those fleeting moments.
She showed me those irritating interruptions—weren’t interruptions but opportunities to give an extra hug—even when it made dinner late.
Even as we’d leave, she pressed her love into her hugs and say, “Call me when you get there. Be careful. Oh, mijo, it’s so far.”
As a mom with grown boys, I understand those words now more than ever.

Her house was cluttered with pictures—of those she cherished and times she had. I’d expect nothing else.
She took quiet moments in the morning with her Bible, cup of coffee and sweet bread to reflect on God’s good moments as well.
She always had time for a call, even when it interrupted her Dodger game. 
She never forgot a birthday. Always sang and sent a card.
Everyone shared their burdens with her.

With her own heartaches, she shared only the funny, good times. 
She found and remembered the good—even as dad forgot her, she’d retell those times we could laugh over something he did or said. 
Like how he called her “Hell” in a crowded supermarket, when she was in another aisle. 
Her visits were marked with laughter and joy. 
She loved her coffee and sweets.
When we’d tell her, “Take care of yourself,” we knew she wouldn’t.
She was busy with others. 

Would she change anything if she could?
My guess would be, ‘no.’
Because those little acts of kindness—meals, gifts, hugs, listening—done over a lifetime made her special to everyone.
This room is filled with people touched by her kindness.

God knew she needed her hands full until the end.
But when she reached the other side, her hands didn’t hold a child, or even a phone.
But I can see God waiting with that cup of coffee and sweet bread for her to sit and tell Him about His goodness to her.
He’ll say, “Well done, My good and faithful servant. 
You were faithful taking care of all My little ones, now I will take care of you.”
_______________
But those of us on this side wish she could still pick up the phone when we call, for every trip we now take won’t seem complete until we are able to “Call her when we get there.”
But if she had a phone, she’d be calling us and saying, “I got here. It’s worth it. Make sure you get here too.”

It’s not for everyone to do what she did. 
She’s been my mentor all these years. 
I watched and tried to imitate her.
But like one son recently told me when I didn’t put mustard on his sandwich, “Gammy would have put it on!” 
I could never be Gammy, no matter how much I would try.
But God doesn’t want me to. 
Nor can any of you take Gammy’s place.

God’s way to the other side is not by being like Gammy. 
It’s by accepting Jesus as the only way to take away our sin.
By calling on His phone—through prayer, finding His answers through the Bible explained by His Spirit, so we know the way we should go. 
Our path will be different from Gammy’s. 
Yet we will be better because she touched our lives.
That’s what God’s Spirit in us does—changes us on the inside to be like Jesus. 
People around us will know that God was with them, because we’ve obeyed Him.

So when you finish that trip and want to call Gammy to let her know you’re safe—she’ll be busy. 
But God won’t be.
If you’ve called on Him for salvation from sin, He’ll be waiting on the other side for you, for that special moment that says you’re home.

 

 

I write about what matters...to you---
women, wives and moms---
about your family, faith and future.
I write about what's hard, what helps and what heals.
I show you how it's done. And not done.
I hold your hand as you find what matters to the Savior.
And let go of those things that mattered to you, but not to Him.
I write about what matters...to Him.
               Sonya Contreras

Motherhood
Find other articles about motherhood
here:
What's a Mom?
Memories of a Hero Mom
They Called Her Gammy
Are You Tired of the Same, Old Thing?
Who's Responsible for the Children
The Battle for Our Children
​Dear Master of Hands
Close to Home
Reflections from a Mom
Just the Mother-In-Law
A Mom Who Knew Her Job
Letting Go of my Fourth Son
Making a House a Home
How Do I Pray?
Picking up Acorns
Changed by God
Last Times
Are You a Failure?
What To Do Now?
Are You Tired of the Same Old Thing?
What's in a Book, Anyway?
Marijuana, Mental Illness, and Violence
Confessions of a Desperate Mom
You Are Not Alone
A Wedding Remembered
Sunday Morning Excuses—Is It Worth It?
Stages of Parental Control
Homeschooling Myths Debunked
Seasons
Do You Know the Word?
Wake Up! Strengthen What Remains
Is Jezebel in Your Midst?
Are You Tired of Being a Mom?
A Day in a Mom's Life
What Talents Are You Wasting as a Mom?
What Have I Learned as a Mom?
What's in It for Me?
Adoption—The Heart of God
The Making of a Man part 4
The Making of a Man part 3
The Making of a Man part 2
The Making of a Man
Are Your Children Safe from Bullying?
Are Your Children Safe from Child-napping and Sexual Abuse?
Are Your Children Safe?
The Value of Remembering
Marjorie Rutherford: A Testimony to God's Faithfulness
Marjorie Conrad: A Testimony to God's Trustworthiness
Starting School Again
Dependence or Independence?
Breast Milk Made Especially for Your Child
What Is Essential for Babies?
My Space, My Time, My Needs
What's a Mom?
A Mother's Influence
A Mother of Boys
Prepare for the Lord: Thoughts for Moms from Exodus 19

 

Faith
Find more articles about faith here:
Dear Faithful and Loyal Readers
Life Falling Apart? Try Gratitude
A Few Words about Marriage
When Suffering Gets Personal
What an Amazing God We Serve
Response to Healthy Gaming
How Miserable Are You? Are You Happy?
The Need for Meaning Even in Pain
Reminders of What's Important
God's Unmeasurable Love
A Quarter of a Century Spent for Our Country
What Were You Thinking?
Who Are You Watching?
Boundaries for a Better Life
God's Boundaries
Memories of a Hero Mom
The Ripple Effect
How Do We Think Like Jesus
Litany of a Waiting Woman
Ever Cook a Frog?
New Year's Reminders
They Galled Her Gammy
When God Speaks
A Russian Christmas Story
Be Thankful
Be Grateful
Are You Tired of the Same, Old Thing?
  (reprint)
Laughter—Why Laugh?
Mom
Are You Disturbed?
Unity of the Brothers
Encouragements To Declutter
Do You Have Too Much Stuff?
Too Much Stress
Getting Past the Noise—The Value of Silence
Are You Scatterbrained?
How Good Are You?
Looking for Something Good To Read?
A Cup of Cold Water
I Will Trust When I Cannot See
Encouragement—What Is It?
Being in God's Presence
"Einstein and the Professor"
When God Is Silent
Do You Crave Beauty?
Using Stories to Discipline
The Danger of the Wrong Story
Using Stories to Teach Lessons
God is in charge of the future
November Dare Joy Challenge
Ungratefulness
Developing an Attitude of Gratitude
Looking for Jesus
What Do Your Prayers Reflect?
Life's Little Pleasures
Daniel—Greatly Loved by God
Take Every Thought
Jars of Clay
What Do Your Words Reveal about Your Heart?
How Do You Get Strong Faith?
Too Busy for God's Word?
How Do You Think Like Jesus?
Reflections from a Mom
Pain—What's It Good For?
Why Marry?
Consider the Robin
One Life Who Made a Difference
What Day Are You Living In?
Interrupted by God
Is Jesus Really the Answer to Everything?
Are You Beat Up?
What's Your Hurry?
Are You a Manipulator?
Are You Salty?
Are You Condemned?
Trying to Understand?
Do You Expect Answers to Your Prayers?
Do You Eat Your Stress?
Need Focus?
Going through Trouble?
Immanuel—God with Us
Looking for a Relationship?
When God Says, "No!"
What Do You Do with Left-Overs?
How Great Is Your God?
Are You Needy?
How Do You See Sin?
What Do Your Words Mean?
Is Evil Overwhelming You?
Those Aha Moments
Is Your Soul Happy?
Are You Ignored?
Looking for the God Moment
Do You Know Truth from Almost Truth?
I Believe in Jesus—What Now?
Do You Have Your "Son"-Glasses On?
Less Is More
Singing His Praise
Are You Trying To Do It All?
What Do You Do with All These Prayer Requests?
Have a Problem?
Do You Know How to Pray?
Looking for God in Every Moment
Are You Receptive to God's Blessings?
Tell the Senate: Mothers Aren't Birthing People
Is Your Life Complicated?
How Do We Fight Evil?
Fearfully and Wonderfully Made
Giving Up or Taking Away
the Bible is simple
Are You a Dripping Faucet?
What's Your Testimony?
The Final Move
Be Careful What You Wish For!
Are Your Prayers Answered?
I Choose Joy
What Have You Learned from Your Hardship?
Who Are You Trying to Change?
What's Your Five-Year Plan?
The Danger of "Aloneness"
My Colors
Are You a Whiner?
Are Your Works Approved?
Do You Think You're Stressed?
Is Your Soul Feeling Ragged?
God Speaks to the Heart of the King
What about the Details?
Have You Felt the Long-Suffering of God?
How Does God Lead You?
Do You Have Enough?
Don't Carry More than You Need
Cast the Seed
God Is Faithful
Are You Deceived?
Are You Essential?
Are You Safe?
Are You Tired of the Same Old Thing?
Does the World Make Sense?
Have You Seen God's Majesty?
Do You Feel Judged?
If You Only Had One More Day To Live
Are You Understood?
Do You Long for the Word of God?
Slow Down and Smell the Dead Leaves
Are You Hospitable?
Our Heritage Is Bought by Blood
Are You Disturbed?
Are You Depressed?
I Did It My Way
Finding the Simple Life with Meaning
The Simple Life
Do You Have the Right Words?
Did Your Dream Die?
On the Other Side of the Fence
Marijuana, Mental Illness, and Violence
Confessions of a Desperate Mom
Saving for Tomorrow
A Wedding Remembered
Who Will Stand in the Gap?
Are You a Protector or a Ruler?
Who Are You?
Are You an Image Bearer or a Wad of Cells?
Are You a Watchman?
Where Do You Find Meaning?
The Lamb of God as Told by a Scribe
What Love Is This?
Remember: The Symbols of Passover Explained
Tea and Rest
Do You Have Peace?
What Makes a Marriage Work?
When Life Is Awful
Are You Strong Enough?
Rules
Seasons
Be Faithful through Suffering
Do You Know the Word?
Wake Up! Strengthen What Remains
Are You Spit in God's Mouth?
Is Jezebel in Your Midst?
Do You Stand Against Satan Himself?
Are You Tired of Being a Mom?
What in the World Is Happening?
It's Not My Story
How Would Your Faith Compare?
Are You Sinking?
Are You a Rule Follower?
Useful for Him
An Intimate Moment with Mary
The Worldview that Makes the
   Underclass
Thoughts to Ponder
What Does It Take To Know the
    Heart of God?
See the Story in the Stars
Do the Scriptures Burn You?
Being in His Presence
Contentment: It's Not for the Timid
How Secure Are You?
How Do You Respond To Stupid People?
The Earthworm Is My Hero
Heart Issues or Issues of the Heart
Things Aren't Always What They Seem
More faith articles are found here:

under the Table of Contents. Also available in book form.
Or here:

under the Table of Contents. Also available in book form.
Articles on Suffering can be found  here, 

under Table of Contents. Also available in book form.
Special Days
Remember: The Symbols of 
   Passover Explained    
Aug 12, 2017 The Heavens Declare the Glory of God
July 4th, Freedom
What Is an American Soldier?
Valentine's Day: A Day of Love?
Memorial Day-A Day To Remember
Veterans' Day-To Honor Our Men
Fall Colors
First Thanksgiving Day
    Proclamation
Christmas: Stories behind the Songs
Christmas: Stories behind the Songs, part 2