This week I said good bye to my mom. One of the most difficult things I've ever been faced with. My mom was a beautiful woman, let me introduce her to you.
Her name is Teresa de Jesus (Hernandez) Arzola. She was born in Guadalajara, Jalisco on October 3, 1956. She was born into poor family and lost her father as a baby. She immigrated to the US as a teen and met my Dad at a dance here in Dallas. She always described that night as love at first sight! She said it was as if a spotlight shone on my Dad and she was instantly attracted to him. So began the romance that lasted 35+ years. As with most marriages there were ups and downs, and along the way came Ruby my oldest sister, Alex, Me, Stacy and the baby of the family Madaline.
Mom always loved the Lord, and she made it a point to bring us up in church. My earliest memories are of Easter Sunday's when she bought us new matching outfits and made sure we looked our best for the Lord on His special day. I also remember her teaching me to pray, every night was spent on our knees. Many nights I faked falling asleep because I wanted an excuse to go to bed! Little did I know then the value of prayer she was instilling in me (1 Thess 5:17).
Mom was faithful to attend church daily. She taught me the importance of the body of Christ and corporate worship (Hebr 10:25). Mom visited the sick at hospitals, nursing homes and homes. She believed in giving to others in need, she gave through her prayers, her tears of compassion, and her listening ear. People were so blessed by my mom they often gave her gifts, most of which she re-gifted, because she loved to give. She didn't have much but she gave it away joyfully. She understood the principle of storing up treasures in heaven (Matt 6:20) and how not to covet the material things. Mom loved singing and praising the Lord in the dance, she took every opportunity to be around other believers (Psalms 122:1).
Mom was a social butterfly and knew all her neighbors by name, how many children they had, pets, family history.... well you get my point. She enjoyed meeting new people, making new friends and sharing the love of Christ every opportunity she had (1 Peter 3:15).
Most of all I must say my mommy suffered well. That may sound hard to wrap your mind around because how do you suffer well? She never raised her hand against God, she never blamed anyone for her pain and suffering, instead she accepted her circumstances, prayed for healing and trusted in God.
I hope you can caught a glimpse of what a great woman of God she was. She left a legacy of love and humility, kindness and compassion. Most important she left a legacy of her love for Jesus. These words and my descriptions do little justice to express my true thoughts and emotions. I didn't get to tell you how great of a wife, mom and grandma she was. I will save those memories for another day. I'd love to share them with you. We always say life is to short and I agree that it is, like my husband shared this morning in his sermon - Life is to short, Eternity is long, Invest wisely - I believe my mom lived it to the fullest, invested wisely in the eternal and is enjoying eternity with the Heavenly Father.
Teresa de Jesus Arzola Oct 3, 1956 - August 31, 2012
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