Come On Mama!

Come On Mama! One of the few people I could count on growing up was my mother. Betty Jo Seibold was in many ways my rock. When the country was in a recession in the 70’s and early 80’s, I remember Mama gathering us together to pray. “Don’t you worry none, James. God works everything out for the best.” My mother used to say. Sure, back in the 1970’s my mother went wild, but you know when you’re young that does happen. Some people bear the consequences for years. Others repent and correct quickly. I can’t totally judge my mother, because in college and afterwards I did get a little wild myself. I only had one complaint, I felt my mother enabled my brother too much. I stayed strong, but i always hated it when my mother tried to cater to him, and he would still grouse and sulk because he wasn’t getting his way when he wanted it. I guess I always resented that. I always felt my sister and I got the brunt of my sister’s bullying. I guess that’s why in college I made a quick attempt to make my own life. That being said, I’m glad my mother approves of my significant other, and I intend to marry her soon. Because of my upbringing with my mother, I often fought for independence. Mama was good at fostering independence in our family. Because of that I was the first one desiring independence in my family. I guess because my maternal grandparents instilled in me the same values. And why not? I was a sickly child, in and out of the hospital until I was 11. When I was sad or scared I wanted Mama at my side to support and comfort me. My mother and I haven’t always seen eye to eye, especially wnen I married my ex wife. But in the end, my mother was right about the marriage. My mother never abused me. I was disciplined by her, and rightfully so! But for the most part she protected me. After my divorce she did her best to protect me from getting my heart broken. Mama was one of my childhood hero. She exposed me to good music, encouraged my Bible reading. She encouraged me to recite the Bible and school play lines in front of my family, and it gave me a desire to be a public speaker. No mother son relations is perfect, but nothing can ever say my Mama wasn’t there for me. I would defend her till I die! When i hospitalied myself for bipolar psychosis, Mama called me out. Mama called me out for trying to turn my back on God. She helped me see I could stand strong with God, without a need for a romantic partner. That’s what helped me be stronger now tht I have a love interest. Mama instinctively knew when a girl was not right for me. But with the girl I have now, it is a blessing. When I broke my leg and fractured my skull, Mama prayed for me and kept my faith in Christ. She prayed I would stay out of the psych hospital, called me out when I was wrong. She helped me see that certain “friends” were wrong for me. She was there to call me out on wrong decisions. She helped me break up from a narcissistic girlfriend and prayed I’d walk again when I broke my leg. Not everything was perfect. When Daddy died, i criticized the family for enabling my brother. At times I stayed away for that same reasons. But when my favorite uncle almost died, the family was reunited for the time. But I do have to say when things got to bad, Mama and I walled ourself off from dysfunction.. She encouraged me to go on a rejuvenating Memorial Day weekend vacation. She helped me walk again. If it weren’t for her prayers and help, I don’t know where I would be today.