God called a sweet friend home to be with Him last week. You won’t hear about her on the news. She wasn’t a decorated war veteran or sports figure. She wasn’t famous or wealthy. But Patsy Ramsey was a true hero to me.
She was a single mom who went the extra mile for her children.
I think Patsy came into my life when I was about nine or ten. Even as a child I recognized the weariness, the years of hard times that were etched into her features.
Life had been difficult for her from the beginning. Her father had been out of the picture, and her mother had problems that impacted their home in a negative way.
Like most young women anticipating marriage, Patsy dreamed of a happy home, but even that wasn’t to be. Her first husband left her with six small children. It was a scary time, but she didn’t ask anyone for help. Instead, Patsy rolled up her sleeves and went to work.
She spent long, back-breaking days as a sewing machine operator. On many occasions, she’d work another four hours at a second job.
Patsy would return home exhausted, and then would spend what was left of the evening loving on and caring for her little ones, cleaning house and doing laundry.
One morning as she headed to work, Patsy fell down the stairs. She was banged up and bruised, and she injured her shoulder, but she picked herself up and limped into work. She had no choice if they were to eat.
Times were difficult and there were never enough dollars. She worked so hard to provide clothes and food for her children, to keep a roof over their heads.
But sometimes when the little ones had been sick and needed medicine or when unexpected bills stole her paycheck, there were days when dinner consisted of just flour and water gravy, made with love and seasoned with a mama’s tears.
I never heard her complain. Her children were always neat and clean, she tried to take them to church, and she raised six children to be productive members of society. Each of them was a trophy of a mother’s fierce love, her sacrifice and determination.
And that made Patsy Ramsey a hero to me.
I’m sure that there are many of you single parents out there today who are worn down by life, who are working hard and sacrificing for your children.
You might think that nobody cares and that nobody notices. But you’re wrong. You’re a hero in the making, to others, to your children, and to God.
Dear Father,
The world is full of single moms and dads today who are weary, whose emotions are shot, and whose wallets are empty. Please send strength and encouragement to them.
Provide what they need financially. Heal the jagged edges in homes that have been splintered apart. Help each of these moms and dads to feel Your arms around them in a special way today.
Amen
