A Tribute to My Dear Departed Mother

My greatest tribute to my mother was when I graduated from OLLU.

If my mother were alive today, she would be 62 years-old, enjoying her children and grandchildren.

Yesterday (March 10^th) would have been her birthday. Almost 10 years ago, she passed away after a long and courageous battle against cancer. I miss calling my mother on the telephone to tell her how I'm doing.  Some years have been easier than others.  Homeschooling my children has helped the time fly by.

What do you say about a mother who carried you in her womb for nine months? What do you say about the mother who refused to drink caffeine while holding you in her womb? What do you say about the mother who carried on even after becoming a widow with five children? What do you say about a mother who faced the adversity of step children who wanted nothing more than to kick your family out of your home?  What do you say about a mother who picked you up from Our Lady of the Lake University on her days off?

As the years have worn on, I have come to appreciate the many acts of love that my mother bestowed on me. You must understand that when I was growing up my mother was not one to say, “I love you” or give hugs and kisses. It is only later in life that she began to do that.  She was a mother who went to work to support her family. 

I'm not saying that she was perfect; none of us are perfect. I'm just saying that she tried her best as a mother.

My mother was not one to judge people or to curse. My mother was as patient as they come. She was a nice person. She did not argue with people. She held her tongue if people were rude to her.

In some ways, I am like my mother. I do not like confrontations. I do not like to be confrontational with people. I am not one to get revenge on people, either. My mother believed in leaving difficult matters in the hands of God.

I am who I am because of my mother. If someone cuts off ties with me, I accept it. If someone treats me with disrespect, I cut them out of my life. I have too many things in my plate to try to accommodate to cumbersome people. I try, to the best of my ability, to help those around me; I think my mom would be proud of me.

What greater tribute can I give to the memory of the mother who raised me despite hardship?  The answer is to be the best mother I can be for my own children.

I am blessed to have had such a wonderful mother. She did her job, and God saw fit to give her rest after raising my siblings and me. I thank God for having allowed my mother to be born and for me to be born of  her. Now, my children and I resemble my mother, and that gives me comfort. I sometimes catch a glimpse of her when I glance in the mirror.

It's as though she's still here, saying, “I see you!”

How about you, my readers? Is there someone in your life you miss? A parent? A friend? I hope you reach out to them, if they are still alive, and let them know how much you love them. You never know how much time there is left to reach out to them.

God bless you with His peace, my beloveds.

Thanks for reading this special entry for the Family (Fun) Fridays series.  Stay tuned for next Friday's episode.