For many people writing about their mothers would be the greatest story ever told. But mostly we are not equipped with the words to say how much our mothers gave of themselves caring for their children.
The January speaker at Stonecroft, Liz Jones, enthralled guests with her talk about ‘lessons learnt through her mother’.
“My mom, Johanna (Joey) Maria Turner, may not have had a long education but she had something more important. She had oodles of common sense, that natural ability to make sound judgment in practical matters.”
Joey was rejected by her father who divorced her mother after giving birth to the couple’s fourth daughter.
They were strong Free State women who had faith, hope and love. Joey experienced huge sadness when her fiancé was killed in a motor accident.
She fell in love with and married his brother, Harold, and they were blessed with a son Johnny.
World War II came along and Harold only returned home from the army four years later.
The Turners then had a daughter, June, to complete their family. However, at the age of 38, just when she thought her childbearing days were over, Joey gave birth to twin girls, Amy and Liz.
Liz recalled how her practical mom would dress her twins and then peg them to the bed so she could get herself dressed.
Car crashes claimed the lives of both her older children – June died aged 17 years and Johnny was 47 when he was killed.
“God did not do this to punish – he gave me twins late in life – that was love,” said Joey.
She loved fashion and her hope to own a dress shop was fulfilled. “My mom ran a business, cooked and cleaned and often fell asleep at her sewing machine doing alterations late at night. It was her three girls’ job to do the dishes after dinner. One evening we did not get round to doing them. Mom called us to sit at the table and watch her carry out our chores. We learned our lesson. Clothes left on the floor were gathered by mom and thrown into a box. We soon learnt to put our stuff away.”
After her husband died Joey went to live with Liz and her husband Brian. “I am so grateful my mother stayed with us for 20 years passing on her faith, hope and love to our three sons. And she taught me amazing lessons to cope with life.”
Hostess of note Sonja Human discussed ‘Come Dine With Me’. Not the television show but the history of people eating together. It was a fascinating talk – from labourers receiving sustenance to the introduction of fine dining.
Stonecroft meets monthly at the Methodist Church in Shelly Beach.
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