an angel on earth


When I read the option from Mama Kat to write about what made your childhood bearable, my eyes immediately welled up with tears.
What made my childhood bearable could only be Norma and her home. (In the picture above: Me, Norma, and my little sister Brittany on Mother’s Day at her house.)
I honestly cannot imagine my childhood without her. I cannot even begin to imagine the kind of person I would be today had she not been in my life.
Norma was our neighbor who lived across the alley. She was married to the sweetest man, Mr. H, as she called him. They are absolutely the most incredible people I have ever known, and what they added to my life, I will never really be able to put into words. I will never be able to completely honor them the way they deserve.
When I was little I would go over to her house several times a week. She would always welcome me in, no matter what she was doing. If she was was busy with laundry, I’d want to help clean the vent. If she was working, she’d let me pretend to be her secretary. She was never too busy for me, and I always knew it was her home I could go to when I needed to feel wanted.
My favorite memories were the times she would invite her friends over from church. She would pull out the Skip Bo cards, Hostess Ding Dongs, and soda. Then, we’d all sit around her kitchen table and I’d get to play cards with the ladies. It was always fun, always full of lightness and laughter. The best part was that the winner would get an extra treat, so it became my mission to win every time. (And I did most of the time too! What I’ll do for chocolate, even back then.)
But, what really made me feel special, was the fact that they treated me like I was one of them.
Going to her house was the highlight of my days.
In fact, Norma became like another mom to me. Her home was my safe place, especially during the times when my family life began to fall apart.
When my sister and I would get into a punch out/drag out fight, (we’re hard core I tell you), I would run over to Norma’s.
And when I would lose the fight (which was often) and I’d find myself locked out of my house in the rain wearing only socks, it was Norma’s house I padded over to. (Okay, so to be fair, this only happened once. The socks part, not the losing the fight part.)
When I was listening to my parents fight, and I was sobbing tears from a broken heart, Norma’s door was open. There was always a Skip-Bo game, a soda, and a ding dong waiting for me. More importantly, she always had a warm hug, a meaningful word, and the perfect prayer to offer to God on my behalf.
I had grown up going to church, but when my parents divorced, my mom was really hurt. So, we stopped going together as a family. Norma stepped in, and every Wednesday and Sunday she would pick me up and take me to church with her.
When I became a teenager and I was fighting with my mom over phone time and boys, I would run to Norma. She always listened, always cared. She didn’t always take my side, but she definitely had a way about her that would help me to see it from another perspective. So many times, she was the mediator between my mom and I, and I can only thank her for helping to bridge that gap I felt with my mom over the years.
When I graduated High School and moved to Idaho for a boy only to get there and be cheated on, it was Norma who sent me a 5 page letter giving me hope and encouragement in order to help me through the pain.
When I went on mission trips to Mexico & The Dominican Republic, Norma and Jay (Mr. H) were the first to offer financial assistance.
I went through a lot in all the years I lived in Bremerton, and I honestly believe I wouldn’t have made it through if I hadn’t had her love, her devotion, her wisdom, her guidance, and most importantly her prayers in my life.
She saved me from myself. And I’m a much better person because of her.
My greatest hope is that I can be to just one person what she was to me.
Selfless, loving, giving, caring, open, honest, generous, patient, kind…
These words are Norma.
And Norma is what made my childhood bearable.
(I know this is long for a blog post, but I couldn’t skimp on words for her!)
© 2009 “Le Musings of Moi”
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Comments

  1. That is really sweet!! What a nice memory :o)

  2. Such a beautiful story. You are lucky to have someone like her in your life.

  3. Very moving.

  4. that was such a wonderful story summer. thanks for sharing. what a blessing norma sounds like!

  5. Wow.. I wish I have a Norma.

    Skip bo. soda… and Norma…

    perfect.

    Did you enjoy our mission trips?

  6. Very moving. I think everyone should have a Norma in their life. Remember her well.

  7. That is such a lovely story and I’m so glad you shared that. No wonder you have become the wonderful person that you are today.

  8. that is such a beautiful story! thank you for sharing such a wonderful woman. you must miss her a lot. stop over to my blog to read a serialized short story of mine – im posting it in parts cause its so long – not as warm and wonderful as this – its about a group of women who conjure johnny depp 🙂

  9. beautiful. i like how you ended it with wanting to be a norma to someone. i want to be a norma, too!

  10. Oh that is so sweet. What a special lady she is.

  11. You know what’s really great? I actually remember Norma and going over to her house with you a couple of times! That’s a very cute photo of you guys! I am glad she was your refuge.

    P.S. My sister also locked me out of the house in the rain with my socks on, makes me wish I’d had a Norma in my life.

  12. Summer — This was beautiful and amazing. You are a really talented writer, and I’m sure Norma (wherever she is today) is so touched by your tribute to her and so proud of who you are today. Lovely.

  13. So wonderful you has someone like that in your life when you needed her.

  14. beautiful

  15. What a lovely story and I agree…….you were lucky to have such a wonderful woman in your life.

  16. She sounds like an angel on earth. So glad she was there for you.

  17. She looks so kind and friendly. I’m so glad you had her. And I love what you remember about the Skip Bo, soda, and ding dongs. She sounds incredible.

  18. Beautiful tribute to Norma. Sounds like you made some really fabulous memories with her.

  19. norma sounds like a beautiful person to have in your life. what a perfect tribute to her.

  20. This is a wonderfully moving tribute.

    We all need more Normas in our life hu?

  21. what an amazing woman, and example. i am sure you will succeed with your goal in being that to someone 🙂 thanks for sharing!

  22. Long posts are OK for the writer’s workshop! I think your post is beautiful and inspiring. Surely God knew you would need her. I hear frequently that God meets our needs through others. Thank goodness she was sensitive to the spirit and full of love!

  23. She sounds like a wonderful person. What a wonderful person to have in your life. Hope she gets to read your post

  24. “Her home was my safe place, especially during the times when my family life began to fall apart.”
    Oh this resonates with me!!
    Every kid in chaos needs a Norma.
    Thank you so much for sharing!

  25. That made me all weepy. It’s a beautiful tribute.

  26. That is such a beautiful memory. I look up to wonderful women like Norma. I think it takes a great person to always have your door open like that. I hope someday to become a person who is big enough to put aside my own schedule and allow myself to help others in that way. I am still working on my nonprofit, but it has sort of morphed into a new idea. I hope that through the new plan I get to meet and spend time with many Norma’s and gift them little prizes and cards from many many people.

    p.s. what is this email dealy I need to change? I know nothing of this that you speak of. Member, I am lucky I can get the computer on…

  27. That was really sweet! made tears come just reading it! I had someone like that form my childhood that made me who I am today 🙂

    Leaving some ads clicky love <3 🙂

  28. I still have pictures (somewhere… I should find them) of the robot/girl Brittany and I made and that Norma helped us with… “Bridgett” was her name. She had embroidery floss braids and an attitude to match!

    Thanks for sharing your memories of Norma! I have fleeting memories of her, but it was such a long time ago that they are just snippets of images now. Thanks for the reminder!

  29. This is so very beautiful. What a treasure of a woman. And to be able to look back in your life and see how God was taking such great care of you is a blessing too.

    I don’t care how long it was, this was done just right.

  30. That was an incredible tribute ♥ Thank you for sharing it

  31. What a wonderful person. How lucky to have her in your life and loving you!

  32. What a beautifully written tribute. I am so glad she was a part of your life. What an inspiration to us all!

  33. What a great memory!!

    Thanks for stopping by my blog today and leaving such sweet comments! I hope to see you back there soon:-)

  34. I loved this story, I think you did great job honoring Norma. It is hard to put so many years of feelings in one blog post.