January 20, 1947 - August 6, 2013
My mom. She passed away on August 6, 2013. It's a significant life experience to have one of my parents pass onto heaven. There are the roller coaster of emotions to ride through putting your mom to rest. Then there are the constant thoughts of your time with your mother during your life. The last moments I had with her became vivid and more meaningful. I immediately started talking to her in my prayers and felt close to her, but at the same time I missed her and felt her absence. I often describe it as feeling happy/sad - knowing Mom is in the place God prepared especially for her in Heaven and imagining her radiating God's love and peace, makes me happy - but sad, too.
No one did a eulogy for my mother, which is fine with me. Having been to funerals before, celebrating my mother's was different. Being able to see family and friends come together at a moments notice to celebrate her life was so very touching. Being surrounded by those who loved my mother, we got to hear plenty of stories about my mom and how she touched their lives in some way. It was amazing to hear some of the stories. It became clear how God used my mother to touch and impact many lives. I noticed a lot of people remembered her boisterous laugh - it was contagious! Even that, a simple gift from God, she was able to share with us. No eulogy needed, got plenty of heartfelt words from everyone. Like my mother, we are truly instruments of God and if we let Him into our lives, imagine how his love could spread - just like that.
I find myself eulogizing my mother when I'm by myself. I catch myself doing so and start talking to my mother and telling her everything.
My mom. I think the greatest gift my mother gave me was my faith in God. She was an example in her own way - the way God made her - of a mother who grabbed hold of her vocation and instilled faith into her family. She made sure she showed us the importance of faith in God's love. What a challenge that is in today's world. This is a promise we make at baptism to make sure we raise our children in the Light of Christ - thank you, Mom for fulfilling your promise to God. She didn't just stop with her family, she continued on to be a bright light for friends and family who crossed paths with her.
My mom. I am so thankful to have seen such great faith in my mother in the last two years of her life. We consider those two years to be a huge gift from God. We thought we were going to lose her but God had other plans. My mother endured so much and was faced with so many challenges, but embraced them all with a sweet surrender and a smile. The time my father was able to spend with my mother, while he cared for her, was a blessed time for them. The grace of the sacrament of marriage, at work, blessed their marriage the last couple of years - only the two of them can relish in that intimacy.
Mom, I love you, I thank you and I miss you. I know you will always be near.
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| My parents at my wedding |
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This is one of my favorite shots of my parents in their youthful days!  This was taken at their home in Ft. Valley, VA |
