In Remembrance


Yesterday was 20 years since my mother passed away.  I like that this remarkable day is also the Feast day of Saint Francis of Assisi.  Twenty years have flown by, twenty years I've lived without her here on earth. 

I'm tethered to her memory through my sister, my dad and my aunt.  I clearly remember thinking how I could not imagine life without her presence.  She was my go to person to ask for advice, not that I agreed with her or adopted her advice.  Yet, twenty years have been successful living.  Sometimes I get jealous of people who have moms.  But then I know people who are only children and are jealous that I have a sister.


My mom was creative, smart but introverted.  She was not a risk taker and preferred making surefire safe decisions.  She was also stubborn and opinionated, both qualities I share with her at times when I truly believe I am in the right (I frequently am).

Some people work on saying 'no' to others because they always agree and need to set boundaries.  I have to push myself to say 'yes' to others because I tend to like safety and familiarity just like my mother.

She was a devout Catholic and the only person who truly knew or understood her was God. 


Yesterday, I wanted to make the day special and I dreamed up all sorts of ideas of how to make it special.  Not one of my ideas came to fruition.


I ended up going to the gym in the morning, then working an extra two hours babysitting - surprising the toddler with a walk to see the cows.  The walk TO the cows was fun, it was all down hill, the walk back was up hill.  Pushing a toddler in a big stroller up a hill is not fun at all.

I spent two hours outwitting a two year old, gleefully celebrating when I thought I won. 


I went for a hair cut, I soaked in the praises from my hairdresser at how long my bangs are getting.  They are not long enough for me so I pin them back every day at some point.  Growing out bangs will be a year long event.

I came home and dug in the freezer for some left over curry and threw together a dinner.

my mom stitched this
 After dinner, I sat and knit.

he gave a little growl for this shot

Yesterday was a perfect day in remembrance of my mom.  I lived life.  I moved my body to make it healthy and strong (a hill!), I sang toddler songs and enjoyed seeing the world through toddler eyes, I sat and knit which is what my mom did when she was done with her dinner. 

The best part of yesterday was my sister calling me and asking what I did special for the day.  She shopped at JoAnn Fabrics in remembrance.  I do love my sister.


Comments

  1. Memory Eternal! I think you did indeed honour your Mother by your day yesterday! a HUG!

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  2. You did indeed make the day special by living your life in a lovely way that she would have been proud of, and by writing and sharing this special remembrance. Good thoughts and hugs to you.

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  3. Beautiful. Your mom reminds me of my mom. xo

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  4. You honored your mom perfectly! Your doing what she would want you to do .... live your life with sweet memories.

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  5. You honored your mom in such a beautiful way, by living your life fully. Blessings!

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  6. I have tears. What a beautiful remembrance. You honored your mom yesterday and everyday. I am getting ready for the 1st annniversary of my mom's passing. All those "firsts" were so hard. You have inspired me. Thank you.

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  7. Sending hugs. Your mom sounds like she was awesome. Thank you for sharing her with us today.

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  8. Sending you hugs. My mom & I didn't get along very well (we were too much alike, ha ha) but I still miss her everyday. What I wouldn't give to have her wake me up just one more time with a 6 a.m. phone call about how I'm not living my life properly.

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  9. Sounds like a wonderful day to remember your Mom.
    I am still new to not having my mom, and honestly struggle each day.
    Mom passed away March 17 this year.
    My adorable 4 and 2 year old granddaughters help me a great deal, the 4 year old loves to talk about "gg" so we remember together.

    Hugs to you and I look forward to marking anniversaries to a wonderful way like you did.

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    1. I'm sorry for your loss, so glad the children help you through your grieving process!

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  10. A wonderful tribute. Sending you a hug.

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  11. You have honored your Mom by being her daughter and living the day that came to you. I love that you both sit down and knit after dinner. My Mom wasn't a knitter but she did enjoy cross stitch and embroidery. I have a few pieces and so does my sister. Thanks for sharing her stitchery and a little bit about her life with us. Beautiful.

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  12. What a lovely post! Memories help us cope, and it's nice you have some of your mom's stitchery, too. Have a wonderful weekend!

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  13. What a wonderful day!!! Your mother sounds a lot like mine. I have been without her now for 15 years. She was also my go to person. When my husband and I first got married he asked, my goodness how many times a day do you talk to your mom? I said, as many times as I need to.

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    1. my phone bills were astronomical back in the 1990's!!

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  14. I lost my mom at the age of 14, 4 days before my 15th birthday, with no clue of what was about to happen. I had 4 younger siblings, the youngest was 8. She has no recollection whatsoever of our mom. And it's odd, but I don't have a lot of memories of mom. I think I shoved a lot of them deep down (not that they are bad memories) and so I envy you yours. It will be 47 years in January that she's been gone. She was only 46.

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  15. Aw I think your mom was very happy in your ordinary day. I ponder how we all have more ordinary days than not and we should honor them. I miss my mom very much . But, I hear her voice, I see her with me and I know she is right here.

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  16. I love this post. We visited the cemetery where my parents ashes are buried in Vermont last week. Five years, shy one day to my Dad's passing, 14.5 years from my Mom's passing. Missing them both a ton.

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  17. What a perfect way to celebrate your mom. Thank you so much for sharing your memories with us. I know I've shared with you that I lost my dad 20 years ago, not a day goes by that I don't think of him. I feel fortunate that my mom is in relatively good health and lives nearby, though I do worry about her living on her own as she ages. Such a beautiful post! xx

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  18. You totally honored your mum but talking about her and your memories in this post. Hugs.

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