Memories of Mom...I thought about my Mom more than usual last week...remembering, wishing, missing and thankful. She would have been 69 on May 4, and then within the same week, is Mother's Day. This was one of the few years when I did really well heading off the grief. If you're a motherless daughter, then you know what I'm talking about. My Mom died 16 years ago very unexpectedly at the age of 52, after a hysterectomy...one that I had encouraged her to have because my own hysterectomy was such a life changing health event for me (I had female problems from the age of 11 until my hysterectomy at age 31).
We had just adopted Shanna and had celebrated the adoption being final the Sunday before, so the last photos I have of my Mom are of her and my Dad with the three grand kids. I'm thankful that my Mom died in such a quick and painless way...several of my friend's parents have died long, agonizing deaths and while I envy them the opportunity to say goodbye, I have no regrets in my relationship with my Mom...except for a few of my teenage years, she and I had an awesome relationship and were best friends.
The older I get, the more like my Mom I am...I used to hate it when someone would compare us...now I pray that I have some of my Mom's character traits and talents. More than anything, my heart hurts that Shanna didn't get to know her Grandma Florine. My Mom would have loved Shanna's uniqueness, her sense of style and humor, her absolute belief in right and wrong, her innate kindness and most of all, the way that she loves and serves the Lord. I miss my Mom's hearty (loud) laugh that came from her soul (Shanna tells me I laugh too loud...something I used to tell my Mom when I was a teen...someday, hopefully she'll appreciate my laugh). My Mom struggled with her weight nearly her entire adult life, as do I. My Mom loved the Lord so much and was such a creative, giving, loving person...that's one of the best things about being a Christian is knowing that I'll see her again someday...I imagine her in a beautiful heavenly garden and I'm thankful to have my very own "gardening" guardian angel. I love you and miss you Mom.
I think there are women who are born to be Mom's...they have that something extra and just seem to revel in all that motherhood entails. I'm not one of them...I love my girl with all my heart and soul but being a parent is hard work. I love this photo of my Mom and I...
My friend Amy (she and I have shared the journey of having Hep C and going through the year of treatment) is getting ready to have her first baby in just a few weeks. Amy, you're in my prayers and I can't wait to share this new journey with you! Amy and I met in Stacy Julian's Library of Memories class. While I was browsing online at the posted pages, I noticed a page about Hep C and I contacted her...we've been online friends for over two years...isn't the internet wonderful!
Thank you so much Kathryn for your prayers! Just 30 more days until my due date. I love the pictures of your Mom. Okay, I have to comment on the loud laugh. I have to say that I have a very loud unique laugh and people comment on my laugh all the time. Judy, Mike's niece who is 7 yrs old, constantly tells me that I laugh funny. Good stuff!
Posted by: Amy | May 11, 2009 at 06:08 PM