Today in church, we prayed for people listed in our chantry book, where parishioners can add loved ones’ names to honor the anniversary of their deaths The first name called out this morning was Helen Waugh Leatherwood, my mother. My mother died of lung cancer on January 23rd, twenty-five years ago.

Each year after my mom’s name is called out at St. Thomas the Apostle, Hollywood, Ray and I look at each other and nod. That gesture acknowledges the value of her life and her powerful presence in our lives. Our nods are accompanied by slight smiles because though my mother loved Ray, she was not always in love with his constant challenging of the status quo. She admitted he was the smartest student she ever had in her college Sociology classes, but when it came to discussing societal conventions, she said she could always count on Ray raising his hand and asking, “But why does it have to be that way?”

Her words to me when I told her that Ray and I were going to get married, “I had hoped you might have an easier life.”

However, Mom did admit just before she died that she thought we had built “a marvelous life” together and she was proud of us.

I wonder how Mom would feel today seeing her son-in-law once again elected to the vestry and once again appointed Rector’s Warden, the highest lay position in our church?

I suspect she’d laugh and say, “Well, I did admit he was smart.”

Congratulations, Ray. You are a fine man, worthy of the respect you are given.

Mom, may light perpetual shine upon your soul, and may your memory forever be a blessing.

We both miss you.