Ellen Rosenberger

A while ago my husband was in a conversation with someone and they asked if I was still teaching.  When Luke informed them that I was at home with our kids now, they made the comment: "Oh, she's just a mom."   Even though the comment wasn't intended to cause harm, Luke pointed out that he thinks the phrase "just a mom" shouldn't be used.  Being a mom is a very special and demanding job, and should be highly regarded.  I was proud of my husband for defending a role that I fill that many times does not receive much recognition or praise in this work-driven world. It got me thinking about the word:  just .  It has several meanings but in this context it carries this one: "just": no   more   than;   merely;   only She's no more than a mom.  She's merely a mom.  She's only a mom. How many times has a mom heard this phrase "Oh, you're just a mom." and wondered if she's missing something.  If she's some...

Two weeks ago I found out that my college choir director's lovely wife of 45 years had passed away.  Her death was sudden and unexplained.   This news was so shocking.  Billie Sue Thompson, affectionately known as "Mrs. T", was only 67 years old.  But really, she was 67 years  young .  A decade ago I might have considered 67 to be old, but not any longer. Mrs. T was so full of life.  And by life, I mean in the fullest sense: overflowing with joy, passion, and peace.  Hers was a  life that personified grace and wisdom.  Her laugh was contagious and her smile was genuine, able to make anyone feel comfortable.     The years I knew her were 2000-2004 when I was in the Women's Concert Choir at Moody Bible Institute.   Mrs. T. was truly like a second mom to all of us 50+ women in choir.  We all loved that she traveled with us on our tours.  As the news of her passing came, a whole flood of memories from m...