When my mother, Myrtle Olene Paulk Mushegan was born it was on a windy March day in South Georgia, Baxley to be exact, her mother was only sixteen years old and her dad was nineteen. I often heard the story of how when they put nine pound baby Myrtle into Addie Mae’s arms she looked up at her husband, Earl, and said, “What in the world are we going to do with a baby? How will we keep her alive?” They did a good job because baby Myrtle lived to be 90 years 8 months and 29 days old.
My mother was the oldest of six siblings and seems she was born with all the instincts of motherhood. When she was fourteen her mother had twins, a boy and a girl and was very weak and sick after their birth. It became the job of Myrtle to care for them and she became a second mother to “the twins” from that time until the present and referred to them as her “babies”.
Her nurturing nature as a mother made her the perfect pick for a dashing young Bishop from Los Angeles, California to marry and become the consummate preacher’s wife. The same care she gave her three children extended to the church family and she was the one who wanted to make the hospital visits or call those who were sick or just needed to talk to someone. If I had to choose a word that described her my first thought was “loyal” because in her eyes her family was perfect. Not perfect in the sense that we did no wrong but perfect because her love covered a multitude of sin, which did not mean that we didn’t get pinched hard on the leg if we talked or, heaven forbid, chew chewing gum in church. God help us if she ever caught us gossiping about someone or talking in a negative way about our family and any of these offenses were worse if they involved a member of the church!
If she ever got sick it was a crime to mention it, she wouldn’t admit it out loud and truthfully she never got sick very many times. If something did happen that she couldn’t deny such as when she had my baby sister a month premature and was told that this baby girl would not live, she had the faith to pray and believe that her baby would live when the doctor told her that baby Janet would possibly be mentally impaired because of a situation with mother having a negative blood type and the baby being positive which set up a reaction causing her bilirubin to rise very high. Baby Janet had to have three blood transfusions and during the last one as mother lay in her hospital bed praying with my dad kneeling on the floor beside her, she saw a vision of a great big hand with her baby laying safely in the palm. She rolled over and told my dad, “Our baby is going to live and she is going to be alright!” I would say that baby turned out just fine getting a full scholarship to Agnes Scott College and graduating at the top of her class with a double major, then going on to get her Master’s Degree from PSI and Georgia State University.
Aside from her will of iron and faith of a giant there was a romantic side to Myrtle. She had seen a picture of a young evangelist and knew on the spot that she would marry him, long story short they met In Birmingham, Alabama where my dad was there for a church convention from California and she having come with her dad, also a preacher, from Cleveland, Tennessee.
They met, had dinner at a Chinese restaurant with another couple, then took a walk around the park and walked up the Iron Man (I don’t know, this is their story) and three hours later he proposed to her and she said yes. Three months later they married in a huge wedding at midnight on New Year’s Eve, they were saying their vows as the bells were ringing in the New Year. From that time until he went ahead of her to heaven they were sweethearts and lovers, their union produced three children of which I am the eldest, after me came my brother, Alan, and then the little sister I already told you about.
I said that if I had a word to describe her my first thought was “loyal” but the thought that comes along with it is one that my cousin brought up today as we celebrated her life at lunch, that word is THE word and it is “peacemaker”.
There were two scriptures that were pounded into me from a young age, one was Proverbs 6:16-19 “These six things the Lord hates, Yes, seven are an abomination to Him: A proud look, A lying tongue, Hands that shed innocent blood, A heart that devises wicked plans, Feet that are swift in running to evil, A false witness who speaks lies, And one who sows discord among brethren.” Emphasis on the “sowing discord among brothers part!” The second was Matthew 5:9 Blessed are the peacemakers, For they shall be called sons of God. Those are two things she demanded of us, to keep the peace with our family and everyone else as much as possible and to know that if we did we would be the sons, or children, of God. She did both. The only time she ever got truly riled and mad enough to fight was if anyone said anything negative about her family and that went beyond her husband and three children to her siblings, yes she was loyal to a fault and the ultimate peacemaker. And as my cousin pointed out it says peacemaker not peacekeeper!
So my final word is this, not only did she leave on Christmas Day, it is also my birthday and I have been her caretaker 24/7 and my dads before her for several years, so it is my thought that she first gave me life on a cold December 25th morning and gave it back to me in another way two days ago. She was very alert all day Christmas Day and had little conversations with several of the grandchildren and even ate a little piece of birthday cake.
She told my son as he was saying goodbye to her so that he could go with his wife to his in-laws, “Mama is going to come later today”, and Ara asked her if she was going to go with her, and she answered, “I don’t know, the children need me.”
With my sister holding her in her arms and my brother touching her forehead and praying over her, she took her final breath, it was 6:45 PM, I think she decided to go have Christmas dinner with my daddy and didn’t come back, she just went on home with her sweetheart. I miss her.
Harolene.com 
Very sweet. Prayers for you all !
LikeLike
What a Christmas Dinner that must have been for both of them! What a joy it is to know that she last day here on earth with her family was a good one for her. After reading this, I can’t help but wonder if when she said “the children need me”, she was speaking of the twins, her “babies”.
LikeLiked by 1 person
My heart goes out to you and Janet and all, Harolene; there is no one like a mother.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I feel you. All that you shared was so beautiful.
Your mother is beautiful. You are a special woman , your story is deep and in your sharing Its like a true vision of your parents smiling together. This is what I see and sure to remember when I think of her and your dad.
Your words are peaceful and beautiful and just a wonderful way to say , see you later.
Peace always
LikeLiked by 1 person
Harolene, I am heart-broken to hear of your Mother’s passing.
I know you will miss her deeply.
But I also Celebrate with her that she is now with Our Lord and Savior, and re-united with her Eternal Lover and Companion!
I am also very sorry I could not be there with you and Alan and Janet as you go thru this time.
But I am in Jackson MS with my own Mom as she also lost her Brother on Christmas morning.
We had his Celebration of Life this Saturday morning, then Family Fellowship time afterward.
We will be driving back to Atlanta most of the day, Sunday. And I will be thinking of you, and praying for your Comfort as we travel.
May God Bless you, and hold you just a little bit closer, as you regain your footing thru the coming weeks.
I will get in touch with you in the next few days…
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you Floyd❤️
LikeLike
Although I did not know that Myrtle had passed, I thought of you several times, as we were driving to Mississippi. Partly, it was because of knowing your Birthday Celebration is on Christmas Day … along with several other of my Friends … and I was thinking of each of you.But my thoughts seemed to linger with you, although I did no know why…
LikeLiked by 1 person
No longer does she need her Bible…she met the “Word” Christmas Day! I have never known anyone as precious as your Mother….She was Jesus with skin on. So precious are my memories of her! With love and sympathy.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you my friend, ❤️
LikeLike
You are the ultimate daughter…..my heart is toward you for comfort in the days ahead when you will miss her beyond what your heart can bear (it seems)…and nothing can comfort you but the presence of Jesus and the memories of love from your memory bank of you Mom and Dad. Blessings from a friend from another place and time…… but, one who understands ‘matters of the heart’. ❤
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you‼️❤️
LikeLike
Such an inspiration to all of us,I can start today trying to be a better person,that loves the Lord…..we all need to be reminded we can do more to help others and make our contributation to others…”Thank you for sharing your precious Mothers love and faith in God….
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh Harolene…this absolutely beautiful life story of your mother has deeply touched my heart. Your precious mother will dearly be missed always. She was indeed a treasure! Your story brought back memories for me of the last days and moments I shared with my own parents before they went home to be with the Lord a few years ago. You have been the “ultimate” loving, sensitive and caring daughter that all parents would LOVE to have in their own children. WE remember and recall with such heart love both of your parents. My husband, Dan, has always deeply honored your father and respected his integrity so much. We both always have had such love and respect for your mother as well. She was indeed a true mother and grandmother to her family and to all who got the privilege to know her. You and the family will always miss your parents but knowing where they are…Oh, the peace it brings to your heart! I love you and we have been so mindful of all of you in our prayers since we saw on FB that your beloved mother had made her way to Heaven…with your wonderful father! Dan and I love you sweet friend…Sheila and Dan Rhodes
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you so very much❤️
LikeLike
What a beautiful story from a beautiful person! Your Mom and Dad will forever be in my heart. Love you!@
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank uou Linda❤️
LikeLike
Your mother was a beautiful woman in so many ways. She managed to be fierce and gentle in one person. I loved and respected both your parents and I’m so glad they will be together for all the New Year’s Eve’s to come!!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you Lorrie❤️
LikeLike
Your beautiful story brought tears to my eyes. Your mom was a very special lady. I can so picture both your mom and dad being reunited in heaven and having that special dinner together. They both were so loved just like you are. May you have sweet dreams about them. Both my parents have passed and sometimes I do see them in my dreams. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
LikeLiked by 1 person
What a beautiful tribute to your mom. I look forward to that great reunion in the sky. Soon and very soon we are going to see the King. ! Amen and Amen
LikeLiked by 1 person
I never met your Mom but I know through others what a special lady she was. So glad that saying goodbye to our loved ones doesn’t mean goodbye forever. We will be with them again one day and we will all rejoice with our Savior! My thoughts and prayers are with you. I lost my Mom in 2006 and as sad as I am for me, I am not sad for her. She is no longer stuck in an earthly body that was long past worn out.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you Marie❤️
LikeLike
Love you Harolene. Thanks for sharing your PRECIOUS heart.
LikeLiked by 1 person