WELCOME
TO:
~FOOTPRINTS
MINISTRY, INC.~
(BRINGING
HOPE TO BEREAVED FAMILIES)
Skip
& Jerry Mudge
6605
Mallard Park Dr
Charlotte,
NC 28269
704-509-6603
~AND
GOD SAID~
~Author Unknown~
I said,
"God, I hurt."
And God said,
"I know."
I said, "God,
I cry a lot."
And God said,
"That is why
I gave you tears."
I said, "God,
I am so depressed."
And God said,
"That is why
I gave you sunshine."
I said,
"God, life
is so hard."
And God said,
"That is why
I gave you loved ones."
I said,
"God, my loved
one died."
And God said,
"So did mine."
I said,
"God, it is
such a loss."
And God said,
"I saw my
Son nailed to the cross."
I said,
"God, but
your loved one lives."
And God said,
"So does yours."
I said,
"God, where
are they now."
And God said,
"Mine is on
my right and yours is in the Light."
I said, "God,
it hurts."
And God said,
"I know."
~MY
SONS ARE GONE, BUT I'M STILL THEIR MOM~
On
October 26 I was lying on a lounge chair tied to an IV needle, watching
the blood run out of my body. I thought to myself, "This is not supposed
to be part of my job as a mommy?" But there I was at Red Cross, for
my sons.
Nine
years ago, the unthinkable happened: My only two sons were killed in a
car crash. Leon Jr. was 29 years old and Wayne was 28. A friend
of theirs, Keith Lyles, lost his life too. After the police left
that night, I felt like someone had ripped open my chest and cut half my
heart out. The pain was very real, even though no one could see it.
A
lot of bereaved parents have a hard time functioning on the anniversary
of their child's death, but I have always tried to do something in their
memory. I have kept doing "mommy" things, even with them gone.
Giving blood to help save others is something that Leon Jr. would still
be doing today; he donated over 2 gallons.
When
a nurse asked me, "Why did you come today? Did someone call you or
are you just being a good citizen?" I explained that I'm giving to
honor the memory of my only two sons who died nine years ago on that day.
As I spoke, I could feel my eyes watering and tears began to fall down
my cheeks. I was surprised that even now the tears still come.
Tears that are a sign of my deep love for them, which hasn't died.
Afterward,
I went to their final resting place: Forest Lawn Cemetery on Freedom Drive.
Every year on October 26, I go alone to be with them and clean their graves.
Getting out the tools to clean the bronze stone reminded me of all the
times I cleaned up after them when they were younger.
When
I signed on to be a mom in 1961, I never thought cleaning graves was part
of the job description; it's unnatural. My sons were supposed to
bury me and clean my grave.
Praise
God, when I arrived to clean their graves, I saw a beautiful flower arrangement
on the monument they share with their father. It has silk rose-colored
gladiolas and pink roses. I have no idea who placed it there or even
if it is for Leon Sr., Leon jr. or Wayne. Maybe it was put there
by accident. I just know that seeing it there made my heart leap
and helped make my day. There are some things in life we don't have
to know to appreciate.
After
cleaning their bornze plaque and placing flowers in their vase, I bowed
my head and prayed. I thanked God for all the years I was privileged
to love and care for them. I thanked Him especially for making me
their mom. My job is not over yet.
~Jerry Jonas
Mudge~
The Charlotte
Observer~
~PERSONAL
STORIES INDEX~
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~THE
FIRST YEAR~
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~MY HEART WILL
GO ON~
~Celine Dion~
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