SPECIAL FEATURE | TREASURED STORY: MOTHERS ROCK

"We just don't have the money, Bennie"

BEN CARSON AND HIS MOTHER

In the months Dad left, Curtis and I must have heard that statement a hundred times, and, of course, it was true. When we asked for toys or candy, as we'd done before, I soon learned to tell from the expression on Mother's face how deeply it hurt her to deny us. After a while I stopped asking for what I knew we couldn't have anyway.

In a few instances resentment flashed across my mother's face. Then she'd get very calm and explain to us boys that Dad loved us but wouldn't give her money to support us. I vaguely recall a few times when Mother went to court, trying to get child support from him. Afterwards, dad would send money for month or two- never the full amount- and he always had a legitimate excuse.

One reason I didn't hold any grudges or harsh feelings towards Dad must have been that my mother seldom blamed him- at least not to us or our hearing. I can hardly think of a time when she spoke against him.

More important than that fact, though, Mother managed to bring a sense of security to our three-member family. While I missed dad, for a long time, I felt a sense of contentment being with just mother and my brother because we really did have a happy family.

My mother, a young woman with hardly any education, came from a large family and had many things against her. Yet she pulled off a miracle in her own life, and helped in ours. I can hear Mother's voice; no matter how bad things were, saying, “Bennie, we’re going to be fine." Those were not empty words either, for she believed them too, and they provided a comforting assurance for me.

Part of Mother's strength came from a deep-seated faith in God and perhaps just as much from her innate ability to inspire Curtis and me to know she meant every word she said. We knew we weren't rich; yet no matter how bad things got us, we didn't worry about what we'd have to eat or where we'd live.

Our growing up without father put a heavy burden on mother. She didn't complain - at least not to us- and she didn't feel sorry for herself. She tried to carry the whole load, and somehow I understood what she was doing. No matter how many hours she had to be away from us at work, I knew she was doing it for us. That dedication and sacrifice made a profound impression in my life.

Abraham Lincoln once said, "All that I am or ever hope to be, I owe to my mother." I'm not sure I want to say it quite like that, but my mother, Sonya Carson, was the earliest, strongest and most impacting force in my life.

BEN CARSONS' FAMILY 

It would be impossible to tell about my accomplishments without starting with my mother's influence. For me to tell my story means to beginning with hers.

Ben Carson's testimony of his mum Sonya Carson as found in the book 'Gifted Hands.