Honor Thy Parents! by Joseph S. Spence, Sr | Article | PAROUSIA Magazine

From: The Desk of Dr. Amb. Prof. Joseph S. Spence, Sr., USA., Senior Special Advisor to Motivational Strips Poetry Platform Founder, Honorable Shiju H. Pallithazheth, Oman. The most active poetry platform in the world with over 4.3 million hits each month, and active worldwide representatives in 106 countries.

Honor Thy Mother and Father… (5th Commandment & Exodus 20:12)!

Greetings my dearly beloved brother. I wrote this message on Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., anniversary celebration regarding my mother. I sincerely missed her presence, precious words of wisdom, smiling face, and warm hugs. My personifying heart of tears has been running stream of love for her. It’s uncontrollable, flows freely, and left me in a stage of great remembrance. During a conversation with my doctor, she explained it’s comes naturally at any moment, leaves at any time, and is a part of life’s composition. She was very consoling and reassuring. Her soothing words carried much compassion. She also reminds me “The joy of the Lord is our strength” (Nehemiah 8:10).

I can still see my mother attending my graduation at the University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland, where I obtained my degree in Business Administration and Management. She smiled during the speech delivered by Honorable Clifford Alexander, then Secretary of the U. S. Army. I loved the way she conversed with others in the University’s Café where we had lunch. She was so very happy and full of inspirational thoughts for the people (1 Thessalonians 5:11).

The following week, she attended my graduation ceremony from Howard University ROTC Officer Commissioning Program, in Military Science. I received the Distinguished Military Graduate, and Daughters of American Revolution Gold Medal Awards. She had to tip on her toes to pin my second lieutenant rank on the epaulet of my uniform with a great smile. The professor of military science and his staff were impressed to hear her speak about her sons and other family members serving in the military. She sent me off to the 82nd Airborne Division, as an Infantry Rifle Platoon Leader of dedicated, distinguished, valiant, and courageous American soldiers, anywhere, anytime, and under any set of conditions (John 15:13). Then she gave me a bag with one mango, one orange, and two guavas no nibble on during my five-hour drive to the military base with a kiss. My mother also spent six months with me when I was assigned to the 101st Airborne Infantry Division. She introduced me to General Colin Powell, who was my brigade commander at that time. She knew his parents very well. My mother is so amazing. She knew so many people of importance, including the most precious, and ultimate One from above, whom she has always taught us about—Our Lord and Savior (Psalm 119:105).

Over the twenty-six years of my honorable and distinguished military career, I called my mother many times day and night. She knew it was me calling for a personal prayer, and also one for the courageous, dedicated, and valiant American soldiers depending on my leadership skills and abilities for success. She always had a very inspirational prayer for everyone (1 Timothy 2:1). The soldiers nicked-named me Apollo, the Greek mythical god of poetry and music for the inspirational poems I wrote for them to send to their loved-ones. My mother taught me how to read, write, recite, and interpret poetry while in high school. Her name and phone numbers are still in my cellphone and will never be erased.

My dearly beloved mother will never leave my heart, and will always be there. She has performed so many wondrous acts, taught me how to recite the “Lord’s Prayer” (Matthew 6:9-13) without even missing one punctuation, and how to sing her most favorite song “Blessed Assurance Jesus is Mine.” My personifying heart ran many times with joy and happiness while typing this message. My doctor says, “It’s naturally, keep her always in your heart as your most favorite and unforgettable person. One day the both of you will meet again on God’s horizon, running toward each other in grace with a smiling face and a warm embrace.” Her words were eloquent, and without any hesitation I assured her, “I will.”

“I will always love you mom from the depths of my heart for all the riches and glory you left us. The billions of gold stored at Ft. Knox military arsenal will never surpassed your teachings, loving care, riches, and blessings you gave and left us!”

Thanks to each of you very much, my dearly beloved brothers and sisters for reading, always love your parents (Leviticus 19:3) (5th Commandment) & (Exodus 20:12), don’t forget to pray, stay encouraged, inspired, ingenious, resilient, and blessings always!

His Humble Servant,

Advisor to Founder of Motivational Strips Poetry Platform (Oman, 2019)

Inducted Indie Poets Wall of Fame (2020)

Ambassador of Humanity (Morocco, 2020)

Order of Shakespeare Medal (Muscat, Oman 2020)

Peace-Man Award (Morocco, 2019)

Honorary Doctorate Degree of Peace and Humanity (Nigeria, Africa (2019)
World Poetry Star, World Nation Writers Union (Kazakhstan, 2019)
Ambassador De Literature (Oman, 2019)

Golden Badge Award (Oman, 2019)
Noble Star of Literature (India, 2019)

Living Legend of the 21st Century (India, 2019)
Master of Creative Impulse, Philosophique Poetica (India, 2019)

Pentasiv B World Friendship Poet (Philippines, 2019)
Poetry Gold Medal Honor (Nigeria, 2019)

Ambassador of Human Rights, Diplomacy, and World Peace (Indonesia, 2019)

Poetry Bard (UK, 2010)

Expert Author (EzineAticles.com, USA, 2010)

Outstanding Poet (University of WI, Milwaukee, English Department, 2009, USA)

You Have Been Spotted Poetry Award, (Shadow Poetry, 2006)

Independent Poetry Laureate (The Poet’s Workshop, USA, 2007)
Poetry Ambassador Medal (Poety.com, USA, 2007)

Featured Poet (TimbooktuPoetry.com, USA, 2006)

Who’s Who in Poetry (Poetry.com, USA, 2007-2005)
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