She Was Special...2003
....My Mom died recently. May 26th. In the early afternoon. Sitting in a chair. In a facility with others and the people who cared for them.
....My older brother called that day and simply stated, “ It’s over ,broâ€Â. Such silence followed, that I still can’t define the magnitude of his 3 words.
....Indeed, it was over. The physical was no longer tangible. The only thing known was the unknown. I was told it was quite a peaceful moment.
....This “it†he spoke of was monumental. These 2 simple alphabets were attached to 84 plus years of human existence. That my friend is large.
....I can say she saw more beauty than hate in her time here. She knew the wonderful feeling of selflessness. To give all to all. The seeds of her character were planted early as a “country†girl in the 1940’s.
....She was country folk in a way. Her heart was in good place. And there were all those nuns in her family. I have been with my wife for over 25 years. I’m 44. My mother and father had about 29 years together. She was special. He went to war. She waited. 2 years. Followed him back to New Orleans without having seen much outside of St. Louis. 6 kids in about 10 years. She was special. Widowed at 51 with 4 children in grade school. Never worked ( except to raise 6 kids! ) That wouldn’t last long.
....I’m not writing to tell tales, but to tell a part of her tale. She was special. I am so thankful that we found acceptance for each other long before her passing.
....84 years. You see a lot of what life has to offer in that much time. She saw her last son leave home at 13. Now a father of two. A daughter who became a mother and a school teacher. A son who would be taken from her at age 37. ( I hope her God explained that one to her ) A son who would prove that part of being a family is tolerance. His acts of selfishness pushed her limits, but her faith never wavered. I know she forgave him and I hope likewise to her. A son who would give of himself for 10 years to be there for her. I can’t fathom all the varied roles he must have played. He moved in with her three weeks after losing her second youngest. He was there when she was taken from the facility. He has always been there for all of us. And lastly, her first who kept his family close to where she was and despite his manipulations, did much to help her when it was needed. He works with drug addicts. I’m the youngest. We don’t see eye to eye. Go figure.
....She knew love. She knew what it meant to be loved. She knew how to give love. She was special. To all who knew her. I can’t say why, but I only cried for a short while after my brother called me. Sure she was in a facility. Frail, tired and day to day tasks were burdens. She chose not to eat often. She seemed willing to go forward. She seemed ready. She also knew I was coming the next day!
....I remember the best of her. I choose to. Once again, oh the tales I could tell! But I’m not here for that. I was just passing through and I thought you would like to hear a story of a special woman. She was my mother.
©rad102803
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