Mother's Day

May 10, 2009


I miss my mother every day. She left from this earth on the cold, gray morning of March 18, 2008, after a life dedicated to serving others and touching everyone she knew with love, laughter and wisdom. I miss being able to call her on the phone to share my latest endeavor or ask specifics on a recipe. I miss seeing her face light up when we came face to face. I miss her cheering me on with each new accomplishment. I miss her cheeseburgers and fried potatoes with onions. I miss her hugs and kisses. I miss her stories. I miss her laughter. I miss her more than any words can say.


But being my mother's daughter, I have learned to focus on and be grateful for what I have and not what I long for. What I do have are fond memories spent with Mom, and all the wisdom that she passed on to me. I have the knowledge that she is no longer suffering in her physical body, and I have the understanding that love never dies. I have the memories of every act of love she ever showed me. I have the memories of others who share their stories how she helped them through a crisis. Sometimes I have the memory of spending time with her in my dreams that seems every bit as real as my daily activities. I have my brother and sister and Mom continues to live through our conversations about her and the recollection of all those past events that bind us together forever in love. I have my list of "Momisms"


One of my "Momisms" is what she had to say about Mother's Day. "Treat me right the other 364 days of the year and you won't have to worry about Mother's Day!" That was Mom! And every Mother's Day I would call her and say, "I know you don't care about Mother's Day, but I wanted to call and say happy Mother's Day anyway". She would chuckle and repeat her Mother's Day "Momism" and we would both chuckle about it. I had the good fortune of sharing many chuckles with Mom. We had our share of tears, too, but the chuckles are what we recall the most. Fun, laughter, love and good times were what Mom was all about.


So on this Mother's Day 2009, being my mother's daughter, I pass along this bit of wisdom: Love One Another. Our time on this earth is but a blink of an eye. When all is said and done, all you really ever have is love. And love lasts forever. Happy Mother's Day, Mom! I love you.