Friday, May 13, 2016

Miss you Mom


How do you sum up a person’s life in a few minutes?  You can’t.  All we can do is try to share a few stories and remember who she was.  She was my mom and a friend to everyone.  She was a best friend to so many people.  She loved her grandchildren and doing things with them.  She took vacations with them, and even when she knew her condition was terminal, was planning a final trip to Orlando with them.  We talked her into taking a second trip to Savannah for her bucket list, as she had always wanted to go there.  I’m really glad we got to do that.

Mom was a planner.  She had endless Post It notes everywhere, and she somehow kept track of them.  This was her OCD.  Whether it was planning a trip or a meal, she was thorough.  She liked to dig into the details.

Mom loved to cook and entertain.  From the annual Christmas parties when we were younger, to simply having us over for dinner, we were assured there would be plenty to eat, including something new she wanted to test out.

Some of the most important things to mom were family and friends.  Mom kept in touch with people.  Really kept in touch, whether by phone or visiting.  She really connected with people and genuinely cared about the things happening in their lives.

Mom never forgot to send a card or an occasion to call, even when she was ill in a care facility.

Mom was a strong woman.  Through all of this, she never complained about her condition.  Not once.

For my 50th birthday, she gave me my letters from sleepaway camp 1973-1975.  I read them to her during her final few days.  My letters at the time I wrote them had to be torture to receive.  The content was useless.  I would often write, “Send me more stamps.” And nothing else.  But there were some funny nuggets that sparked a laugh from her, even though she could no longer speak.

She was always willing to help someone in need.  She cooked things for people when they were ill, even when she was suffering her own illness.

Mom was supportive of grandchildren’s events.  She really made an effort to attend games and concerts or band events, even when she was ill.

Mom had class.  She was very straightforward without being insulting.   She agree with Joan Crawford about wire hangers.  Mom gave advice whether you wanted it or not.

Mom is survived by Dawn and I, and her three grandchildren Sam, Gabe, and Jack.  Though she is gone her memory lives on.  I will miss mom dearly.