In Memorium
Melba Barker
9/27, 1929 - 9/02, 2005
Let me tell you about my Mom:
Notice the born date? Yeah, what a way to start. It gets better. While as a child living in the farmlands of Ohio, she endured a locus swarm and survived the Ohio flood of 1937. Her family never had a lot of money, but thanks to my grandparent's hard work, they always had food on the table. In fact, my Ma told me that Grandpa swore that they'd always have meat, and they usually did. Growing up poor was hard on my Ma during her school years as the school system assigned her to attend schools whose students were, financially, often better off than her. This was a great source of frustration and depression. While in high school, she finally decided it wasn't worth the aggrivation and dropped out.
Now, you might think that after all these trials and tribulations such a person would grow up to be sad, introverted, bitter perhaps. Not my Ma. She always had a friendly word for everyone. But if you got in her face, she had noooo problem ripping you a new one...but only if they deserved it. Although my Ma worked most her life, she preferred to be at home. She was the quintisential housewife and Mother. When I was a kid, she loved to bake; cookies, cakes, pies...whatever. Bread was one of her specialties. Man she made some great bread! And she could cook, too. Her fried chicken is the best I've had ANYWHERE, and I told her that everytime she made it.
Now, don't get the idea we were like the Cleavers. My Ma and I had our share of battles. I remember the biggest fight we had was when I was trying to teach her how to program the VCR. Believe it or not. But we survived them all and I finally learned to pick my battles. Once that happened, things ran alot smoother. Of course, in retrospect, I regret all the stupid arguing we did, but that's natural, I suppose. The thing about my Ma was that she could be very, very stubborn. To her, it was her way or no way. Even if she knew she was wrong she'd somehow justify her position.
And I miss every frustrating word.
There's so much more I could tell you about this person, but I won't bore you with another long-winded post. Let me just say that I've learned alot from this lady, both practical and not, and there's so much more I wish I had taken to heart. Saying I miss her doesn't even come close. Funny thing is, I remember I couldn't wait to move out of the hourse. Now the house is mine and I've never felt so alone.
Thanks for all you've done for me, Mom. I miss you very much.