Wednesday, February 17, 2010

Remembering My "Mummy"

(click on photo to enlarge. You'll see something special to the left! All of the photos were taken at Our Lady of Victory Basilica and National Shrine in Lackawanna, N.Y.)



It's four years ago today that my mother died.

She fought a courageous battle but, in the end, cancer won. Even during the last weeks of her life, my mother never complained. She said she wished she had just one more year to live but God wanted her home. Her earthly life came to an end as she began her new life in eternity.

It's heart-wrenching to lose a mother. She's the one person who has always been there for you, in good times and in bad. Even though my own mother clashed with me on a number of issues, I knew her love was unconditional. She always loved me, no matter what I did to annoy her. She was proud of my achievements and wept with me when the disappointments of life seared my heart.

When little, I couldn't even fathom life without my mother, thinking she would live forever. Doesn't every young child think her mother is immortal?

For many years, my mother and I lived far apart from each other. Her weekly cards and letters, often filled with newspaper clippings, never stopped coming. She was the most faithful correspondent a person could ever have, filling me in on all the family news and then some. Every holiday from Valentine's Day to Christmas, she sent cards to me as well as to my children. "Mummy," as I endearingly called her, loved sending greeting cards and she picked them out with care.






She was not from a generation of women who generously complimented so in my later years, when Mummy wrote that I had a "heart of gold," it brought tears to my eyes. She knew how much I loved her and wanted to make her last days on earth as happy as possible.

Mummy died surrounded by loved ones. We all sang as I played my guitar for several hours, until she took her last breath.



Four years have passed but the sorrow in my heart is as fresh as if Mummy died yesterday. She's a part of me still and always will be. When I look at white roses, her favorites, I can see her smiling face. I can still hear her singing and playing the song "All of Me" on the piano. Her bottomless faith, her dark brown eyes and little girl innocence, her ongoing prayers for anything and everyone, and endless love for her family, are all part of my memories of Mummy.

She's still here with me, safe in my heart, and always will be until, in the next life, I can run toward her and hug her once again.

14 comments:

Linda @ A La Carte said...

What a wonderful tribute to you Mummy! Bless you today and always.

Susan said...

Thank you, Linda. Thanks so much for your visit and sweet comment. Sincerely, Susan

diane stetson said...

Any tribute to a Mother is so appreciated by all of us. Thanks Susan for remembering her so beautifully today and as always she will be in our hearts!xo

Susan said...

Thanks, Di! Take care. Sincerely, Susan

Rebecca said...

I'm sorry for your sadness and that empty spot in your heart. I could identify with so MANY of the characteristics and habits (letter writing, etc.) of your mother. I also can identify with the rare compliments (maybe that way we treasure them more)....I am very blessed that my mother is still alive. I need to be more grateful and attentive because I know one day she will no longer be a phone call away...

Seems like there are several friends in my "blogosphere" whose mothers have passed recently or who are remembering lately...

Susan said...

Hello Rebecca. Oh yes, if your Mom is still with you, cherish her. You will miss her so much when she is gone. Thanks so much for your visit and comment! Sincerely, Susan

Chatty Crone said...

I am sorry you lost your mom,there will always be something missing - I know - I've lost mine. Sometimes I have a question that only she could answer and she is not there.

I'm glad you had a nice girls out today. That you had some fun.

And I hate cancer - your mom seemed like a strong woman.

sandie

BECKY said...

Hi Susan. What a lovely tribute to your mom. You reminded me of the letters my mother and I wrote back and forth for many years. Most of my married life was spent away from her, and we wrote often. I used to chuckle at the "10 cents off" coupons she would mail to me, but now when I see coupons for diapers, I always want to clip them out and mail them to my daughters-in-law, and they even live right near me! Thanks for the nice memories. Both my mom and my oldest sister (who was like my 2nd mom) have both been gone for many years. They both died young and I still think of them and miss them, almost daily.

Tammy@T's Daily Treasures said...

I have goosebumps reading this. Such loving memories and a wonderful tribute to your mom. What a beautiful way for you and your family to help her exit this world into the heavens above. Blessings to you and yours, Tammy

Susan said...

Hi Sandie...Thank you for your sweet comment! Hope your day is good today. Sincerely, Susan

Susan said...

Hello Becky...I'm so sorry you lost both your Mom and sister. Also glad the post jogged your sweet memories of them. Enjoyed your visit and comment. Sincerely, Susan

Susan said...

Hello Tammy! How nice that you came to visit and left a comment! Hope you come back often. Sincerely, Susan

GratefulPrayerThankfulHeart said...

Precious tribute to your mom! Thank you for sharing your wonderful memories ~ white roses are lovely!

Susan said...

Thanks, ldh. I appreciate your visit and comment. Sincerly, Susan

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