A Tribute to My Mom

As many of you know, my mom passed away on January 10th. It has affected me more deeply and profoundly than I could ever have imagined. I think of her every day, all day, and how I long to just talk to her or touch her one more time. However, I am blessed to have been able to spend the last 3 weeks of her life with her. She became ill in November and after several weeks of treating her for back pain (due to a fall she had here at our house), the doctors discovered it was something more serious. We got the final diagnosis of pancreatic cancer on December 24th and I flew out to be with my parents on Christmas Day. While there were many ups and downs while I was there, we did have many good moments together...some laughs, some tears. I will treasure my time with her forever. And, I am so thankful that she was able to spend 2 weeks here at the end of October...it was before her illness set in and she spent many fun days with her 4 grandkids! She was able to meet Charlie for the first time and absolutely loved him (how couldn't you...he's such a sweetie).

Actually, I am so thankful that she was such a big part of our lives...always! Even though we lived an airplane ride apart, she always made the effort to be here for the kids special events (bdays, halloween, etc). My parents usually came to visit us every 3 months for 2 weeks each time. And, we visited them about once a year. So, while we didn't see each other every day, they made sure they were a part of our lives. I am forever thankful for all the wonderful memories that we made.

Here is a poem I read at her Memorial Service on January 17th and a picture of her, my dad, and Charlie. I love you mom and miss you mom...more than you could ever know.

A Mother's Love...by Helen Steiner Rice

A Mother's love is something

that no one can explain.

It is made of deep devotion

and of sacrifice and pain.

It is endless and unselfish

and enduring come what may

For nothing can destroy it

or take that love away...

It is patient and forgiving

when all others are forsaking,

And it never fails or falters

even though the heart is breaking...

It believes beyond believing

when the world around condemns,

And it glows with all the beautiy

of the rarest, brightest gems...

It is far beyond defining,

it defies all explanation,

And it still remains a secret

like the mysteries of creation...

A many splendoured miracle

man cannot understand

And another wonderous evidence

of God's tender guiding hand.