Most Valued

On Facebook the week before Father's Day, I did a series of photographs and stories about my father titled "This was my Father's world", of which I spoke of his place in Crawfordville, Sopchoppy and Williston.
I did not mention enough my mother, who through all the years, stood faithfully beside my father.
This was a start.

As a minister's wife
She was the most valued of all
for upon a moments notice
She could fill-in for the pianist
the Sunday school teacher
even the Preacher
on a Wednesday night
all the while
cooking a Sunday dinner for
the guest that always came
Baking a cradle cake for the newborn
Fudge for the principal
Keeping the house in order
Always immaculate for the
Parsonage Committee
who dropped in un-announced
Preparing lesson plans into the evening
keeping up with everyone in the diary
Writing the constant cards
and notes of encouragement
in sickness
in health
for birthdays
losses
in better
in worse
never complaining
or
having anything amiss to say
about anyone.

Clara Jean Orander Stokes