MOTHER JEWEL

WHILE sitting at breakfast this morning at the 16th st church on peachtree I was talking to a homeless comrade of mine when he reminded me that it was mother's day, I had forgotten (sorry mom).  I had met the guy who reminded me at the Atlanta union mission where we both stayed.  he's still there, and indeed he seems to be comfortable there and satisfied, after he told me the story of his life and mother I can see why. this friend who's about my age began to tell me about his mother, his mother dropped him off at a foster home when he was 4 years old and never came back (his words) he stated that he and his mother had a good relationship even though she had pulled a knife on him and threaten his life. he also stated that his mother had served time in prison for attempted murder (stabbing another woman) WOW! I just listen  and on my way to Piedmont park to work-out I thought about my mother.  what a difference! what if i had grown up with a mother like his? the older i get the more i understand the way people act is because of their upbringing and background. can you imagine??  I was wondering why moving out of that filthy, nasty, stinking shelter wasn't an urgency for him like it was for me.  now i see why.  MOTHER JEWEL was just the opposite, I never saw her take a drink or smoke, do drugs or run men and women in and out of her bedroom.   when i was growing up i thought it was normal to have a mother like mine, only now do i realize how blessed i was.  thank you GOD! thank you MOTHER JEWEL  and HAPPY MOTHERS DAY!    JEWEL AUGUSTA MATHENEY  1910-1990