I Remember
Memories and photos from our readers
A Mom’s Love Leaves a Mark “One mother can take care of 10 children. Sometimes 10 children cannot take care of one mother.” In the early 1970s after this picture was taken, I could not understand the above quote. Half a century later, I not only understand it, I embrace it as a mother and a grandmother. I recently read an article referencing a father taking care of his four children for 70 days, ages 4 to 16. He lost 10 pounds and recommended husbands help their wives with dinner, dishes, etc. In the era my mom raised the 10 of us, with my dad, of course, rearing children was considered woman’s work. I applaud my mother for giving us her all and putting her all into teaching my siblings and me to be honest, hardworking, respectful and responsible individuals. She set the ultimate example for us to emulate. When she passed away in 1997, she did not do so alone. Two of her daughters were at her bedside. I can unequivocally say, a love as powerful as my mother’s love had left its mark. One that I hope will live on for generations to come. Mildred Leggett, Lumberton A member of Lumbee River EMC
Family Keeping Together Here is a picture of my mother with her nine children, ages from 47 to 75. She has lived a hard life of washing clothes on a washboard with water drawn from a well or by catching rainwater. She never had running water in her home ’til the 1950s. She heated that rainwater on a wood stove for her and her children’s baths. Even though we are a big family, we are close. We have since lost two brothers, one in 2017 at age 53 and another one in 2010 at age 72. We try to stay in touch and always get together at Christmas every year. Our parents were good to us. Daddy worked hard to keep us nine children fed and clothed. Mom taught us to love, forgive, and most of all, to pray. She prayed for each one of us every night before bedtime. We lost dad in 2004 at age 78 and lost mom in 2014 at age 92. Sandra Ryder, Granite Falls, a member of Blue Ridge Energy
Send Us Your Memories We love sharing photos and memories dear to our readers. Submit your photo, plus roughly 200 words that describe it, online or by mail with a self-addressed, stamped envelope if you want it returned (only one entry per household, per month). Include your name, mailing address, phone number or email address, and the name of your electric co-op. We retain reprint rights, and we’ll pay $50 for those we publish. Online: carolinacountry.com/contact U.S. Mail: I Remember, Carolina Country, 3400 Sumner Blvd., Raleigh, NC 27616
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