Today my teammate, Aubray and I went with Dorothy, a Canadian missionary who has been in Romania for the last 10 years; to visit six widows. We picked up laundry, brought groceries and listened to many stories.
Dorothy has been building relationships with the local widows for almost 4 years.
This is the story of Paula and her mother, Niculina.
Paula is a woman who lives in a small village in Romania and has been caring for her bedridden mother for the past 10 years. Her mother had a mini stroke and then another stroke and her health slowly deteriorated to the point where she could no longer sit up on her own or even eat solid foods.
As we pulled up to Paula’s house we were enthusiastically greeted by Paula and two of her sisters. These women were full of life and quick to laugh. The two younger sisters where home for a quick visit to help Paula paint the inside of the house and visit their mother. Although Aubray and I could not understand all of what they were saying, it was evident that these women were full of joy.
Paula and her two sisters were full of hospitality during our visit.
After a tour of their freshly painted rooms, Paula took us to meet their mother. As we entered the room I looked down at this sweet old lady lying in a bed. She weighed no more than 50 pounds and her face told a story of heartache and pain. As tears welled up in our eyes, the mood changed from joy to sorrow. Paula and the other sisters shared fond memories of their mother. They said she would always give generously when she saw somebody in need and she had been a servant to others since she was a young girl. At the age of 8 Niculina’s mother passed away and she took on the responsibility of raising her younger siblings.
As I knelt down to greet Niculina, I greeted her with a kiss on the cheek and on the hand.
As Paula’s eyes swelled with tears she said “What would I do in these four walls if my mother was not here with me?” “We all only get one mama.”
Everything inside of my melted as I looked at the mother and daughter in front of me. Most days it’s just Paula as the main care taker, of the gardens, animals, house chores, feeding, bathing and moving her mother. I’m sure at times Paula questions God and wonders why her mother had to get this sick. But in this moment the unconditional love portrayed was such a beautiful image of how love works. Love as a life style, not an emotion.
This entire month in Romania I have had many days to pray about my own relationship with my mother. Anyone who knows me well, knows that I do not love my mother well. I take for granted the love she has for me. As Paula’s words you only get one mama, sank deep into my heart, something within me began to break. Another brick from the wall that has been in my heart for as long as I can remember was removed. I know I still have a process to go through to take down the rest of the wall, but oh how the love of Jesus has changed me and will continue to redeem my love for my mama!
I love you Mom!
