This post is dedicated to one of my dear friends, because I want him to be able to step back in time when he needs a smile and remember.
My friend Mac always has a smile on his face, and he’s one of those that always lifts the people around him up when they need it. But Thursday night, July 23rd, it was his turn to have someone else make him smile. And that person turned out to be his mother.
Mac and his Mom
Nadine lives in another county, and doesn’t make it to the Tampa Bay area very often at all. But a church conference led her through town, and she made a surprise visit to her son. Now Mac is always talking about his mom. And once our group of friends met her at our favorite local hangout, it was so easy to see why. She’s definitely a woman with soul. And it shined through in her smile, just like it does with Mac. After the meet-and-greets and hugs were exchanged, I asked her if she would sing for us. It was open mic night, and Nadine stood up and sang for everyone around. It was so quiet aside from her beautiful voice, you could have heard a pin drop.
Nadine Singing
Mac’s smile never let up. Everyone who came around us was introduced to Nadine, and there was a feeling of a special night in the air. And special it was. Mother and son sat beside each other all night, exchanging laughs and stories in a way that only a parent and a child can. And all of our friends were so blessed by this woman’s presence for one night only.
Nadine and CJ the Sand Flea
Before the night was out, Nadine requested the band play a blues song. And let me tell you–this group of guys poured their hearts out for a woman who gained their respect when she walked in the room. I’ve never heard a harmonica play so strong. The blues were rolling. Hands were clapping. And all through it all, Mac was smiling. It was a night none of us will forget anytime soon.
Playin' the Blues
Great Blues moment
It’s funny how special moments appear out of the blue sometimes. How God knows just when we need that lift, and how He moves to make it happen. Just to think… on a Thursday night at a local hangout in our little town, a mother came to visit her son. And the smiles never faded. And the laughs never ceased. And the music never quieted. And the sand fleas never stopped biting. (Sorry, inside joke.) And for two hours, I saw a man who has come to be one of my best friends… have a chance to be his mother’s son, sitting side by side with his best friend.
So Mac, mark the date, and mark the time. It was so nice to see you grinning that non-stop grin. Even if you were a “mush-mouth.” I can guarantee your momma loved every minute of it. And so did we.
