But For The Love Of A Mother

Appreciating a mom who showed her love through deeds rather than words

- Murray Pierrepont

I was raised on a mixed farm in the Swan River Valley of Manitoba during the boom years after World War II. I was the third eldest in a family of six boys—no girls. My mom always lamented that she wanted to have a daughter, and that probably explains why my two youngest brothers were born.

We were all expected to help out around the farm with whatever needed to be done. My mom was no exception as she worked at any job necessary, while raising us six boys. While there were seven males on the farm, Mom was the organizer and taskmaster, who made sure everybody did their share according to their age.

In my thirteenth year, an event occurred that in hindsight would dramatically alter how I viewed my mom.