Another Mother’s Day
Without Mom
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[“Another Mother’s Day” was written several years ago, but I can’t say it any better today. I still miss my Mom, and especially so on Mother’s Day. I thought you might enjoy this one again. Thank you to all our readers and Happy Mother’s Day to every Mom… Sandy]
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My mom’s battle with Alzheimer’s ended in 2007, she passed away shortly after Mother’s Day that year and a month shy of her 82nd birthday. So every year since then, from May to July–I think about my Mom… and sometimes wish I had been more like her.
My Mom was 5’2,” a petite blonde whose pale complexion glowed with happiness. Her personality was bubbly, a true “people person” with many friends.
Standing in barefeet, I’m 5′ 11″ with my dad’s olive complexion and dark brown hair. An exotic brooding brunette–I’m NOT!
Though I did inherit Mom’s amicable nature and I love sharing time with family and good friends. Yet, I’m more like my father than my mom.
- Mom was a “clothes horse.” She loved sleek dresses
in shiny silk and fine dinners in fancy restaurants– I love an overstuffed sofa with a good movie while dressed in baggy sweat pants
and loose t-shirt.
- Mom wore petite, pink florals
and swingy, circle skirts; pale lip gloss accenting a flawless Ivory complexion — I love Bold Tropical prints with a touch of dark Salmon.
- Mom traveled throughout her retirement years, seeing every corner of the US.– I love books, curled in a cozy corner, learning about “pretend” people and places that expand who I am.
Most often– I’m quite certain Mom failed at refining me.
- Mom’s house was always immaculate with everything in it’s place, and I did learn tidiness directly from her.
But when she came to my house, I’m not sure she approved of the fat, squashy bean bags at altered angles on the floor in front of the T.V., or the miles of cable and cords tumbling down the side of the entertainment center, necessary for netflix, wii, xbox, dvr, and other necessities that I’ve forgotten.
- Mom always lifted an eyebrow upon entering that room, though she never spoke of it.
Above all–she was polite, She Loved Me and I was allowed to be whom I chose–even if the two of us eventually became more different than alike, she put her wishes aside and allowed me to become who I wanted to be….
Actually, I was blind to how much I was like my mother until I became her full-time caregiver.
It wasn’t until she saw me as the “nice lady” who cooked her meals, turned down her bed, helped with her shower, buttoned her shirt, tied her shoes and applied lotion to her hands that I finally realized how much I was like my mother.
She gave me strength, wisdom, empathy, compassion, determination, stamina, the list is endless— all these things came from MY MOTHER—
Happy Mother’s Day!
I hope you have a Blessing Journal for all he ways you love your Mom!
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