A TRIBUTE TO:
ADA CATHERINE SCHRIVER DARGUE
My father was a great inspiration to me and I've hinted around about it.When he died, I read aloud a tribute to him and wished so much thathe could have heard it while alive. I vowed to not let the opportunity passto let my mother hear her tribute. I gave it lots of thought
what tosay, how and when to say it.
Then I heard an episode of "Family Life Today,"a radio show in which the host, Dennis Rainey spoke of crafting such atribute. I immediately ordered the book a little before Christmas. I did nothing fora couple of months, but took the book along on a business trip.
On the flight, I could not put it down. I took notes the entire flight and every chance Igot to be alone. Most of the words came easy. A few times I had tosearch for the right words.
Then I realized Mother's Day was approaching. I asked my ministerif it would be appropriate if I read the tribute aloud during church serviceon Mother's Day. He thought that it was a wonderful idea. Especiallysince she and the church meant so much to each other.
I quickly, but carefully, rewrote the narrative to explain a few details andmake it a public testimony rather than a personal letter. Once in a whileI would reminisce with her, asking her to retell a story to my wife so thatI would get the details correct when talking about events that shaped meeven though I was not present.
I kept it a surprise to her, even when the minister introduced the segmentas "a son's tribute" and I went to the lectern, she thought I was going totalk about mothers in general. It was hard to keep from breaking up. Sheand the congregation were in tears.
After the service, we posed for a picture with a framed copy of the tribute.A member of the church gave framed prints to both my mother and I.I treasure that photo as much as my mother does.
Here is my tribute to Ada Catherine Schriver Dargue
My mother, Ada Catherine Schriver Dargue is a woman of great character. She has taught me so much by example. Some of the qualities I learned are:
Virtuous - Daughter and granddaughter to Methodist preachers, she always had exceptional values. Her father was very strict, setting rules that many would find intolerable. For instance, he would not let her date until after college, so she missed her high school prom and could not attend my Dad's graduation. However, she loved her father very much, occasionally criticizing him, but never blaming him.
Her mother would defiantly side with my mom and this probably led to Mom's strong determination to always side with her children while letting my dad think he was getting his way. Mom will always defend her children when they are wronged, support them when in need, and reprimand them when they do wrong. On several occasions, she has charged into the offices of teachers and principles, demanding changes, apologies, or actions from them.
Courage- My mother was a policewoman, thwarting shoplifters and ensuring the safety of school children. She has never been too afraid to right a wrong or confront a wrongdoer.
Mom has always acted swiftly in time of danger. She once had so much adrenaline going that she carried a commercial building fire extinguisher to help out my five-year-old brother who had set a field on fire. After she put out the flames, she could barely budge the nearly empty extinguisher. She even wrestled a gun away from a would-be robber to protect her self and her husband. Then she proceeded to break into a fur store in order to call the police.
Loyal - Mom even keeps in touch with friends she had in grade school (as did her husband). Keeping friendship alive after seventy years is quite a feat in itself, but is only a small hint of how much she loves and is loved by everyone.
Faithful - In a way, you could say that Mom followed in her father and grandfather's footsteps. While she has not been ordained like them, she has "preached" and witnessed to thousands
ensuring the future of many youths. From Sunday school teacher to superintendent, she is always there and always helping. She has missed church only a few Sundays her entire life!
Intelligent -studying Latin and physics, and reading practically everything she can about virtually every science, she could always help with even the most advanced homework. Majoring in and teaching English, she has always stressed proper grammar and was always pleased to proofread my writing, enabling me to become a published writer. As a "Frustrated MD," Mom knows what to do and how to do it, whether it's a bruise or a severe cut.
All giving, dedicated - With all that she does for everyone, she still makes time to volunteer at St. John's hospital - 11,000 hours so far. Originally, she spent several years teaching crafts to bed-ridden patients. However, she switched responsibilities after her loved ones stayed in critical care near death on several occasions. Because she has lived through it several times, she can empathize with people in the waiting room of critical care. In this manner, she has help countless people make it through their darkest, most worrisome days.
Great cook and seamstress - Mom's cooking can't be beat. Sure there are better gourmet chefs, but none of them can make a pasty like hers. The recipe for pasties comes from my Dad's side of the family. Mom says that the wives of Welsh miners used to make a pastry shell full of meat, potatoes, and vegetables that could be carried along into the mine. There are many other family recipes that Mom cooked or invented. Her children, grandkids, other relatives and friends always ask for her chocolate Easter eggs not only for Easter, but Christmas and any other day they can think of a reason. Mom reads recipe books the way most read novels.
Even Tempered - Mom might worry, but she never panicked. She and a friend, Mrs. Kelley once took the Kelly kids and me swimming. When Mrs. Kelley backed the car into another car, my face went into a cherry snow cone. I had cherry syrup and ice all over my face and the other kids were laughing. Mrs. Kelley was frantic. She was yelling at the kids for laughing at what she thought was glass and blood all over my face. Mom calmly settled everyone down.
Once, while Mom and Dad were waiting for some neighbors to go out to dinner, they decided that they would finish putting a rug down since there was only one corner left. Dad lifted one leg of some steel shelves that had several aquariums and Mom kneeled to slide the rug under it. One of the shelves collapsed, dumping a large fish tank on Mom's head. She sat down in the large puddle (avoiding any fish), brushed some seaweed away from her mouth, licked her lips, and said, "You know, this water isn't all that bad for holding those fish for so long."
We moved to St. Louis when I was two years old. The house was not ready yet, so we stayed at the Ivy Hotel. When I walked into the room, I asked, "Is this our new home?" Everyone thought that that was so cute, but no matter what the living conditions were, it would be home, with Mom and Dad.
I never doubted her love for me. Even though I was born late in my parents' lives, she always expressed her belief that I was a blessing - never a burden. Everything I am today is because of her. God chose her to bring me life and teach me and I am so grateful and glad.
Copyright © Brandt Dargue --- Missouri