In addition to her instinctive mothering, Mom was a 'teacher' of sorts. She,
on many occasions, turned an event into a teaching lesson and challenged our
minds.
Liz
In honor of mom, I plan to go to Good Friday mass at Our Lady of Czestochowa
here is Houston. As you know, anything Polish was special to her.
Like many MANY children along the years, Kristen and I were lucky enough to
have Grandma Florence help raise us, and even be our live-in playmate during
the early years. While fostering our imagination and creativity- she also
lovingly disciplined us; helping us to read at a very early age; teaching us
how to love and respect our parents, elders, and peers; helping us to find
faith as well as strength to live our lives fully. She taught us how, with
her own incredible strength, to survive the trials life naturally presents and
smile on. But honestly, I remember the silly memories, like going to the
Kmart lunch cafe and sitting with delicious buttered toast and talking
together- so many lovely little adventures! I could never succeed in fully
describing how thankful I am to be the woman I am, because of Grandma. Her
wisdom, her sass, and her unconditional love are all to be remembered and held
dearly in my heart. I love you, Grandma.
Kelly
Grandma,
I cannot tell you how sad that I am not with you in person today...I
want to thank you for helping to raise Kelly and me...for teaching us
values, for scolding us, then hugging us, for nursing us when we were
sick, for teaching us to roller skate, for playing yahtzee with us, for
the orange juliuses, for the jokes, for the phone calls, for being such
a friend to mom...you have always taken care of everyone...I love my
family- your family so much...all my aunts and uncles- your
children, their children... and you are the one behind it all, and I
feel so blessed to be part of your family. I will miss seeing you. I
will see you someday again, though, and I can't wait to see how
beautiful you look and how happy you are...I love you. Thank you.
|
I was very
honored to be at the podium with Mary during Tuesday's funeral service for the
Epistle readings,
and to read
the many eulogies from family members.
Mary and I
thank everyone who sent sympathy cards and prayerful wishes.
It is already
sinking in how sad we are to not speak to Mom Flo on the telephone, as we all
often did.
This empty
feeling will not soon be gone.
They say that
those who enter heaven during Holy Week are especially blessed.
May Mom
Florence's soul rest in peace. Amen.
Pete
PS next week:
To my family,
When I read this, I could see mom saying these very words. It
provided some comfort to me and I hope it does to you also.
Love, Sue
Loss of Mother Poem
Now that I am gone,
remember me with smiles and laughter.
And if you need to cry,
cry with your brother or sister
who walks in grief beside you.
And when you need me,
put your arms around anyone
and give to them what you need to give to me.
There are so many who need so much.
I want to leave you something --
something much better than words or sounds.
Look for me in the people I've known
or helped in some special way.
Let me live in your heart
as well as in your mind.
You can love me most
by letting your love reach out to our loved ones,
by embracing them and living in their love.
Love does not die, people do.
So, when all that's left of me is love,
give me away as best you can.
~ Author unknown