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The News that Changed Everything: Myrtle’s Hurdle
Jinese Austin
“Oh God no,” was all I could get out before hurrying out of the office at breakneck
speed. On January 15, 2003, 39 year old Jinese Austin vaguely remembers the
3:00 mad dash to the hospital after receiving a call informing her that her 72
year old mother had just had a stroke.
“My mind was whirling. I was sooo scared. I kept thinking—but I just talked to
Mom this morning. I don’t want to lose her too--because I had lost my Dad several
years back.”
Myrtle Henderson, Jinese’s mom was a strong woman—an extremely independent
woman. After Myrtle’s husband of 35 years, Dan Austin, died in a tragic
automobile accident 10 years earlier, Myrtle never married again. “My sisters
and I watched her pick up the pieces of her life and move on with such great
strength and courage. Mom handled the tragedy better than we did.”
Though Myrtle was a strong woman, no one knew if she was strong enough to pull
through this trauma. The stroke was severe and the doctors didn’t know whether
Myrtle would make it.
But she did.
“I was thrilled that Mom came out of it okay, but I didn’t anticipate how long and
grueling her recovery would be. I remember how frustrated Mom was when she
couldn’t walk and talk at first. She was so used to her independence, you know?
She did everything for herself. She had told me and my other four sisters countless
times before the stroke, that her biggest fear was being helpless. How sadly ironic
right? Well, I can still remember those first days of adjusting after Mom came to
live with me and my kids. After cooking, cleaning, and making sure Mom was
taken care of, I would collapse into my bed. Many times I would just bury my face
in the pillow and just boo-hoo. I still do on occasion. We had to feed Mom, bathe her,
and everything. It was hard to see her like that.”
The most unsettling part for Jinese wasn’t caring for Myrtle. That came naturally
to her. Her biggest challenge was learning how not to go to pieces as she watched
her Mom in a state of helplessness, trying to overcome hurdle after hurdle;
obstacle after obstacle; setback after setback. She hated seeing Myrtle's pride take
such a harsh beating.
“But that time was such a blessing from God," Jinese reflects. "I grew closer to
Mom. I was able to give back to her, and reinvest in her what she had given to me
over the years. Not only that, but even though my Mom felt helpless, she didn’t
realize how much it helped me to be able to care for her. For so many years I
wanted to let her know how much I appreciated all she had done for me; how she
watched the kids as I worked my way through school; how she nursed me back to
health after I nearly died after giving birth to my youngest daughter Sandra; how
she encouraged me to take on new challenges in my career; how she sacrificed her
own career so that she could provide a stable home for me and my sisters. Taking
care of her as she recovered was my way of giving back. I’m still giving back
everyday. Of course it's hard sometimes. I would be lying if I said it wasn’t. But is it
worth it? Absolutely! My Mom deserves all I can give her, because she’s given me
and my sisters everything.”
Although Jinese's Mom is technically "out of the woods" now, she still struggles to
resume normalcy. Her speech is slightly impaired. She has difficulty walking, but
she’s in therapy and is making great progress. "My Mom, Myrtle Henderson, is not
giving up on life. No way. She’s a fighter. One of Mom's favorite things to say to
her daughters is this: 'When life gives you lemons, squeeze that bad boy out and
make some good old-fashioned lemonade!'"
Here’s to you Myrtle; may all your life’s lemons turn into and endless supply of
sweet lemonade. Happy Mother’s Day from your daughters: Jinese, Janice,
Katrina, Wilma, and Nancy.
Jinese Austin
“Oh God no,” was all I could get out before hurrying out of the office at breakneck
speed. On January 15, 2003, 39 year old Jinese Austin vaguely remembers the
3:00 mad dash to the hospital after receiving a call informing her that her 72
year old mother had just had a stroke.
“My mind was whirling. I was sooo scared. I kept thinking—but I just talked to
Mom this morning. I don’t want to lose her too--because I had lost my Dad several
years back.”
Myrtle Henderson, Jinese’s mom was a strong woman—an extremely independent
woman. After Myrtle’s husband of 35 years, Dan Austin, died in a tragic
automobile accident 10 years earlier, Myrtle never married again. “My sisters
and I watched her pick up the pieces of her life and move on with such great
strength and courage. Mom handled the tragedy better than we did.”
Though Myrtle was a strong woman, no one knew if she was strong enough to pull
through this trauma. The stroke was severe and the doctors didn’t know whether
Myrtle would make it.
But she did.
“I was thrilled that Mom came out of it okay, but I didn’t anticipate how long and
grueling her recovery would be. I remember how frustrated Mom was when she
couldn’t walk and talk at first. She was so used to her independence, you know?
She did everything for herself. She had told me and my other four sisters countless
times before the stroke, that her biggest fear was being helpless. How sadly ironic
right? Well, I can still remember those first days of adjusting after Mom came to
live with me and my kids. After cooking, cleaning, and making sure Mom was
taken care of, I would collapse into my bed. Many times I would just bury my face
in the pillow and just boo-hoo. I still do on occasion. We had to feed Mom, bathe her,
and everything. It was hard to see her like that.”
The most unsettling part for Jinese wasn’t caring for Myrtle. That came naturally
to her. Her biggest challenge was learning how not to go to pieces as she watched
her Mom in a state of helplessness, trying to overcome hurdle after hurdle;
obstacle after obstacle; setback after setback. She hated seeing Myrtle's pride take
such a harsh beating.
“But that time was such a blessing from God," Jinese reflects. "I grew closer to
Mom. I was able to give back to her, and reinvest in her what she had given to me
over the years. Not only that, but even though my Mom felt helpless, she didn’t
realize how much it helped me to be able to care for her. For so many years I
wanted to let her know how much I appreciated all she had done for me; how she
watched the kids as I worked my way through school; how she nursed me back to
health after I nearly died after giving birth to my youngest daughter Sandra; how
she encouraged me to take on new challenges in my career; how she sacrificed her
own career so that she could provide a stable home for me and my sisters. Taking
care of her as she recovered was my way of giving back. I’m still giving back
everyday. Of course it's hard sometimes. I would be lying if I said it wasn’t. But is it
worth it? Absolutely! My Mom deserves all I can give her, because she’s given me
and my sisters everything.”
Although Jinese's Mom is technically "out of the woods" now, she still struggles to
resume normalcy. Her speech is slightly impaired. She has difficulty walking, but
she’s in therapy and is making great progress. "My Mom, Myrtle Henderson, is not
giving up on life. No way. She’s a fighter. One of Mom's favorite things to say to
her daughters is this: 'When life gives you lemons, squeeze that bad boy out and
make some good old-fashioned lemonade!'"
Here’s to you Myrtle; may all your life’s lemons turn into and endless supply of
sweet lemonade. Happy Mother’s Day from your daughters: Jinese, Janice,
Katrina, Wilma, and Nancy.
Lessons my Mom Taught Me
Dianna Hobbs
Okay, so... I'm not exactly just your typical reader.
I'm Editor-In-Chief of EEW Magazine, but I couldn't let
the moment pass without saying something about my
own dear mother.
She soothes me. There’s no better way to explain it.
No matter what I’m going through, or how difficult a
time I’m having, my Mom—Annie—always knows
just what to say. As I was coming up, I learned more
from my mother’s example than I did from her words.
For instance, back at home before I got married, I
remember barging in her room on several different
occasions. “Oops,” I would whisper as I tiptoed
backward out of the room, watching carefully as Mom
knelt alongside her bed with her hands clenched
together, and her eyes squeezed tight.
In these moments, she taught me prayer.
She would frequently sing her way through chores.
Mom’s silky voice floated softly through the
atmosphere; she didn’t know how many times I was
listening. Amid the clinking sounds of glasses,
silverware, and plates being placed in the dish rack, I
could hear Mom's melodic voice ring out from over
near the kitchen sink where she washed dishes. She’d
belt out one of her favorites: “Walk with me Lord,
walk with me. Walk with me Lord, walk with me.
While I’m on this, tedious journey, I want Jesus to
walk with me…”
In these moments, she taught to me to sing to the
Lord.
While my sisters, brothers and I tore through the
house, taunting one another, laughing and making
jokes, my Mom would be crouched over in the corner
with Dad’s glasses hanging off the tip of her nose. That
always made me chuckle. She would be snuggled up
at a small table over by the window, leaning in close
to read the tiny print from her maroon Thompson
Chain King James Reference Bible.
In these moments, she taught me to study God’s word.
Everyday when my siblings and I came home from
school, Mom was there to greet us. Whenever we were
sick, she would lovingly nurse us back to health,
never ever complaining. When we were hungry,
even when we didn’t have much food, she was the
only woman I knew who could make a scrumptious
meal out of chicken neckbones, rice, onions, and
homemade gravy. My, my, my. I vividly recall the
day I was dumped by my first knuckle head boyfriend
in college, Mom didn’t minimize my sorrow. She
peeked inside my room as I sat on the floor crying.
“You all right Dianna?” she asked quietly. Then, she
listened intently to what I now see as silly, but back
then it was the center of my world. Mom was a great
consoler.
In these moments, she taught me how to be a good,
strong, and caring mother.
As I raise my own four children today, I remember
the lessons I learned from watching her. Annie Dean
Brinson, my Mom, is my hero. She taught me to love
God first, myself, and others. Happy Mothers Day
Mom; you taught me to be not just a good woman, but
a Godly woman… and for that, I am eternally
grateful.
Dianna Hobbs
Okay, so... I'm not exactly just your typical reader.
I'm Editor-In-Chief of EEW Magazine, but I couldn't let
the moment pass without saying something about my
own dear mother.
She soothes me. There’s no better way to explain it.
No matter what I’m going through, or how difficult a
time I’m having, my Mom—Annie—always knows
just what to say. As I was coming up, I learned more
from my mother’s example than I did from her words.
For instance, back at home before I got married, I
remember barging in her room on several different
occasions. “Oops,” I would whisper as I tiptoed
backward out of the room, watching carefully as Mom
knelt alongside her bed with her hands clenched
together, and her eyes squeezed tight.
In these moments, she taught me prayer.
She would frequently sing her way through chores.
Mom’s silky voice floated softly through the
atmosphere; she didn’t know how many times I was
listening. Amid the clinking sounds of glasses,
silverware, and plates being placed in the dish rack, I
could hear Mom's melodic voice ring out from over
near the kitchen sink where she washed dishes. She’d
belt out one of her favorites: “Walk with me Lord,
walk with me. Walk with me Lord, walk with me.
While I’m on this, tedious journey, I want Jesus to
walk with me…”
In these moments, she taught to me to sing to the
Lord.
While my sisters, brothers and I tore through the
house, taunting one another, laughing and making
jokes, my Mom would be crouched over in the corner
with Dad’s glasses hanging off the tip of her nose. That
always made me chuckle. She would be snuggled up
at a small table over by the window, leaning in close
to read the tiny print from her maroon Thompson
Chain King James Reference Bible.
In these moments, she taught me to study God’s word.
Everyday when my siblings and I came home from
school, Mom was there to greet us. Whenever we were
sick, she would lovingly nurse us back to health,
never ever complaining. When we were hungry,
even when we didn’t have much food, she was the
only woman I knew who could make a scrumptious
meal out of chicken neckbones, rice, onions, and
homemade gravy. My, my, my. I vividly recall the
day I was dumped by my first knuckle head boyfriend
in college, Mom didn’t minimize my sorrow. She
peeked inside my room as I sat on the floor crying.
“You all right Dianna?” she asked quietly. Then, she
listened intently to what I now see as silly, but back
then it was the center of my world. Mom was a great
consoler.
In these moments, she taught me how to be a good,
strong, and caring mother.
As I raise my own four children today, I remember
the lessons I learned from watching her. Annie Dean
Brinson, my Mom, is my hero. She taught me to love
God first, myself, and others. Happy Mothers Day
Mom; you taught me to be not just a good woman, but
a Godly woman… and for that, I am eternally
grateful.
© 2008-2009 Empowering Everyday Women Online Magazine All Rights Reserved. Terms and Conditions Privacy
EEW Magazine is a division of Hobbs Ministries, a subsidiary of Training for Reigning, Inc.
EEW Magazine is a division of Hobbs Ministries, a subsidiary of Training for Reigning, Inc.
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Best and most-read inspirational blog online! Thousands of women
log on daily to get encouraging, uplifting, and practical articles from
EEW's own Founder and Editor-In-Chief, Dianna Hobbs.
Blogging for Change
Politically astute Obama supporters listen up! If you're a Barack
Obama supporter interested in keeping up with the latest in campaign
news, check out EEW's political blog.
Rhema Life Solutions
Get powerful and sound biblical inspiration
Gospel Music Bites
Stay up-to-the minute with Gospel news & more
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