2020 Celebration Honoring
The Life Of
othelia Smith Herring
December 12, 1920 - December 12, 2020
Smith/Herring/Stewart Family "Blessed Heritage" Blog
Precious Memories...
By Gwen Herring Owens
Greetings Smith/Herring/Stewart Family, This month I'm pleased to feature the touching "Othelia Herring 100th Birthday Tribute" by her youngest daughter, Gwen Herring Owens recounting her last Christmas with her mother.
Anyone that spends time around me knows that I like to use funny quotes from mom. That is what I chose to share in public however, I have some very special private memories as well. I will share just one of them that I hold very close to my heart. It is mom’s last Christmas with me when she stayed a few days in our new house.
Mom wanted to spend a few days with me because she desired to let me know how proud she was of our new place. So, my husband, Bim and I immediately gave up our master bedroom for her so she could have access to a bathroom close by. Every morning, I guided her to the shower, and she would say, “You know I like to take baths.” I would respond, “I know” but it is easier for me to get you in and out if you take a shower." She just laughed. So, I showered her with so much love and care and she just loved it.
Finally, she wanted to teach me how to make her famous fruit cake which was not an easy task. She said "Gwen, you are a good baker and I think you can do this." So, step by step we started to put the ingredients in the bowl for her famous fruit cake. Mom was always so particular about her baking reputation, so she wanted me not to take any short cuts. Throughout the process she kept saying, “Don’t turn the over on, you must put the cake in a cold oven.” I reassured her; the oven is not on. Once the cake was in the oven, she was too weak to walk in the kitchen to check the oven so what did I do? I put her in a chair with wheels and rolled her in and out of the kitchen to check on the cake.
Of course, the cake came out beautifully and she was so proud of me! However, for me it was never about the cake. As a matter of fact, I have baked that cake only one time since she passed.
It was about the opportunity to do something for someone who had done so much for me all my life. Life is precious so create great memories every opportunity you get with family, friends and those that are important to you!
Psalms 90:12 Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom
New Living Translation Teach us to realize the brevity of life, so that we may grow in wisdom.
Aunt Gwen Thank You For Sharing This Personal Tribute... Truly Beautiful...