Tribute to Linda Willis Henry

Mothers are the glue that holds families, communities, churches and everything else together. They are so accustomed to juggling responsibilities that they can switch at the drop of a hat. And with the growing number of households headed by women,their load isn’t getting any lighter. There are dozens of duties that mothers perform – teacher, preacher, gourmet chef, chauffeur, personal banker, referee between kids, doctor, law enforcement officer, counselor, attorney, and the list goes on and on. Mothers are an essential piece of the family puzzle. Without her, it is incomplete. Mother’s importance tends to slip our minds; well, until Mother’s Day rolls around. On this day, we reflect on how momma shaped and molded us into the successful people that we’ve become. Then it hits us, “We owe it all to Momma!”

More than twenty-five years ago, “The Chi-Lites” – an old 70’s R&B group – asked the question “Have you seen her?” Yes, I’ve seen her! And so have you. She’s in the kitchen, cooking a hot meal. She’s at the football stadium, baseball field, the gymn, the track field, cheering her child's team to victory. She's working to provide for her children. She’s even at the bedside of a sick loved one. Mother is everywhere!

Keep this in mind, not only on Mother’s Day, but everyday. Because if she wasn’t her, we’d probably find ourselves wondering around aimlessly, crying and singing the chorus from that old “Chi-Lites” song – “Why, oh why, did she have to leave and go awaaaaaaaaaay? One thing's for certain--Linda Willis Henry--you will be missed. Peace and blessings to the family.