Dear Mom, you probably think this blog is about you. Well, guess what…you’re right, it is. It’s been a while since I’ve written to you to let you know how things are. Life is still so very different since you left us a few years ago. Gone are the days where I call you each weekend just to give you an update on what’s going on with me (the good, the bad and the ugly). You were the best confidant ever! Also gone are the days where you’d give me that virtual slap upside the head (I’m picturing Gibbs slapping Dinozzo in “NCIS”) whenever I tended to let the craziness in life dictate more of my life than it should have.
However, there are new days and new things that I think you would enjoy. I’m trying to make sure nobody ever has to fill your shoes for the virtual slap and instead am working on keeping life’s crazies away on my own. Awww yeah! I’m also getting ready to carry on your legacy of creating beauty. I’m thinking of working on some art projects and using the techniques you have used.
One thing I always loved about you was that you could see beauty in EVERYTHING and everyone. Your child-like wonder, your innocence, your creativity is still such an inspiration to me and I want to make sure I carry that on as well. Your heart was pure…loving life and loving everything about life. Sure, people or things may have annoyed you here or there but that didn’t make you stop loving. You just dealt with it and carried on with a smile, a laugh, and plenty of love. I strive to live my life in the same way.
Dad and I enjoy telling good stories together, sharing ideas and just being good buds now. You are such a great link that both of us loved so dearly and have helped us to love each other and love life just as you have. I can see that he too continues to learn from you even though neither he nor I have the chance to talk with you anymore. I’m guessing Dad may talk to you just like I do when I’m thinking about you…
You’ve been a good teacher Mom. I’m continuing to simplify life as much as possible and to actually enjoy life instead of “stuff”. Taking simple pleasures in working in the yard, singing and humming while doing chores around the house, smiling at random people, giving everyone the benefit of the doubt, looking around at everything with a new innocence and seeing beauty no matter where I may be. I’m finding so many new pictures to take with that last one alone…suddenly a walk to the grocery store will present itself with a thousand photo opportunities.
I miss you terribly mom. You were clearly taken from us far too soon. The world needs more good souls like you. Why someone this good was taken is beyond me, but I’m determined to not let it all end here. Everyone that knew you loved you, and even people that have never met you are starting to love you when I talk about you. You have been, and you still are, a very amazing and wonderful mother to me. Thank you for that and for many other things.
I love you Mom…thank you for looking over me. Keep laughing and touching the souls all around you wherever you are. You are truly a gift to us all.
Wow, this is a beautiful and wonderful entry. I was reading it and it actually made me cry – and that is a good thing. I do love your Mom every time I read about her, every time you share a memory of her, all the little pieces you let us see. Thank you.
Thank you Ada. I hope to share with the world all the lessons my mom taught me and the love that she had…along with her own special brand of humor, curiosity, and sass.