I Saw Your Kids

May 23,2011

My Mother, Mary, was diagnosed with lung cancer in February 1989. In May she professed her faith in Jesus Christ. We all celebrated this decision.
On a subsequent visit to my parents home on Eugene street in Sarasota, my wife Linda had a conversation with my Mom that we will never forget.

I was in the living room with my dad and Linda when in the bedroom to see Mary. She was sitting up in bed crocheting with her back against the wall.
As Linda entered the room mom looked up and said, “Hi Linda, I saw your kids today.”
My wife found this a peculiar greeting since we had been married for 13 years and had no children although we both wanted them.

My youngest sister, also named Linda, had three children, two girls and a boy. My wife said, “Don’t you mean your daughter, Linda’s children Mary?”
My Mom looked up and said emphatically, “I know who I am talking too. You are Mark’s wife. Linda I saw your children today, a boy and a girl.” My Mom returned to her crocheting.

Linda told me about this odd conversation on the drive back to our home in Sarasota Springs. Mom’s cancer matastized and she succumbed to the disease a few weeks later.
Less than two years later my wife became pregnant. Many of our friends said, since she had been married so long (15 years) without a child she was probably going to have a girl. Linda told them no, it is going to be a boy. In October 1991 our son Joseph was born.

In August 1993, after more than 17 years of marriage, Linda gave birth to our daughter Lauren.

Mark Walker
Sarasota