Mama Franks (My Mother, 1919-1969)

Mama Franks (My Mother, 1919-1969)
By Tommy Franks

Although Mama Franks was only a short little woman,
She was wrapped in dynamite…
The power and authority of the Messiah.
She believed in diplomacy,
But she also believed in the “woodshed”.
If Mama was unhappy, everybody was unhappy!
She loved her family
And defended them “tooth and toenail”.
If Mama wanted to say something,
She said it…and you knew what she had said.
You listened or else…Mama never asked,
“Tommy, are you okay with my decision?
Does this upset you, son?”
Are you kidding me? Hello!
NO, NO! Her decision was final.
When she made a decision,
You shaped up…No discussion necessary!
Mama worked hard…everyday.
Mama prayed…everyday.
Mama smiled…everyday.
Mama loved…everyday!
She loved deeply, especially her husband and family.
You didn’t want to fool with Mama
Or Mama’s family.
If you did, you would be at the mercy of Mama’s prayers.
If you were fortunate enough to get on Mama’s prayer list,
She would pray you out of hell into Heaven!
She was ruthless in dealing with the devil.
She gave him no ground…Mama was truly a “saint”,
But most of all, she was a Godly woman.
And I miss her profoundly…
After all these years…I still miss her…
Once in a while, I still hear her motherly voice
In the recesses of my mind.
Her spirit and life still go on within me every single day.
I am truly blessed to have such a mother
So sweet, yet feisty…So gentle, yet firm.
So intelligent, yet humble.
Such a great teacher, yet she did not have formal credentials.
So rich in values,
Yet worldly goods were not her ambition.
Mama was a giver of gifts…
She gave gifts to each of us…
Writing, poetry, artistic and technical abilities, knowledge, initiative, education,
Love of people…love of life…and love of God!
She, herself, was a poet, a writer, and a scholar.
She never had an enemy…Her life was filled with hundreds of friends.
I remember in 1950, at our home in Zolfo Springs, Florida, near Highway 17…
How she gave a sandwich and a glass of tea…
To a homeless person who was hungry.
She looked him directly in the eyes and said,
“Mister, this is all I have…but you are welcome to it.”
Mama also loved cats, dogs, and birds.
Today as I look back, I know how fortunate I really am…
Because of Mama,
I have never done drugs…been in jail or prison…
Been on welfare…
Disrespected my country…
Or committed suicide…
She taught me values and principles…
Not with mere words,
But by EXAMPLE!
When I went overseas the first time in 1965…in the Air Force,
She prayed for me everyday…
Sometimes, several times a day…Oh Yeah!
She was proud of me…I could tell by her letters.
She loved me.
I could see it in her eyes.
One of Mama’s last sessions with me
Went something like this:
“Tommy, you know I love you. I’m not feeling well today.
Tommy, I want you to be happy.
I want you to always do what’s right and the right thing.
Be ready for the Lord’s return, my son.
I love you!”
Today, I still hear her little voice.
She is saying to me,
“Tommy, meet me on the other side.
You will like it here too. I am waiting for you.
Remember, always do what’s right.”
Mama, I love you too…
One of your favorite sons…Tommy!