Mother's Day 2009. So many who I am close to have lost their mothers and this is a sad day for them. As I was reading one of my woman's magazines the other day, I saw this Dr Seuss quote: "Don't cry because it's over. Smile because it happened." And I think it is a fitting quote for those who are missing a mom.
I am lucky enough to have my mother still around. At almost 84, she is like the ever-ready bunny - she keeps on going and going and going. As a matter of fact, she was honored at a lunch on Friday, winning an award for all her volunteer efforts. She has recorded tapes for the blind for many, many years. She is active in a group that makes dolls for the homeless shelters. She makes shawls for women in Somalia, leads a group of women singers that performs at old age homes, works at the food shelter, etc. And she takes care of my dad, who lost his sight years ago.
I give her my food magazines when I'm done looking at them, because she likes to try new recipes - she likes to stay young and try new things. When she invites us for dinner, nothing is simple. There is always a buffet with about 20 items on it. And her garden is just beautiful.
Of her 3 kids, I am told that I look the most like her (only truthfully, if I didn't color my hair, I would have more gray than she does!). I think I inherited from her a need to keep busy. Even when I seem to be relaxing, I am always thinking I should be doing more.
When she was diagnosed with breast cancer last year and went through radiation therapy, she made sure she was scheduled for first thing in the morning. She wasn't about to give up a day for radiation therapy! Let it happen and let her begin her day.
She has always been there for her kids and grandkids. She was the emergency contact when my kids were in school, because I knew she would always drop what she was doing and pick up one of my kids if they got sick.
She has held the family reunion at her home for many years. I think no one else wants to be bothered with the responsibility of having those people over. She enjoys doing it.
I am proud of her, for all she has accomplished and for who she is. We are blessed that she is still with us. Happy Mother's Day, mom.
6 comments:
This is a beautiful post, too. I was really glad that I was able to be at the luncheon honoring your mom, especially because I know my mother would have been there if she was still alive -
With all of the great and charitable things your mom has done, I have to add that she was a wonderful friend to my mother, especially when she was sick. She really took care of her and was with her much of the time. I am thankful to her for that, but also glad for my mom that she had such a fabulous friend.
Happy Mother's Day, Lenore!
I didn't know your mom did the read to the blind thing... You have so many secrets. She may be glad to know that I too do a "blind thing" - With my friend Nino of Detroit who has been blind for quite some time, we ride bikes together, me on the front of the tandem and him on the back. He is a very able stoker, as the guy on the back is called. Blindness is not a total impairment for him, you may be surprised to know. Last year, he set his bike so he could shift from the back, which is very unusual, and probably unique. He designed and implemented this by himself. Half way through a ride where I WAS shifting up and down the hills, we decided to move the shifting to his station. I watched helplessly while he made the switch himself. Even though he couldn't see a thing, he could feel every little point where we had to shift. I eventually grew weary of prompting him (it was the first time we had ridden together in this configuration) and just let him shift. He did exactly what I would have done! So add my congratulations to your Mom's list of accolades. -Rick O.
I'm proud of her, too. Your mom is an amazing woman, and the fact that she's still volunteering like that at her age is inspiring. A lot of women would just hang out. I love that it's her passon. She's a good woman and she's raised great kids, and for me -- that was her greatest gift. After all, I am an indirect beneficiary of her good works, through you! (And her Hungarian nut balls are a crowning touch!)
Cool that Rick commented!
I loved the quote. This is indeed a wonderful post and I'm glad you can share your mom's accomplishments with others.
Beautifully written!
What a beautiful tribute to your mom.
What a lovely tribute to your mother. She sounds great.
My aunt knits lap blankets for the soldiers in Iraq. Like your mother, she keeps busy - mostly doing for others. Great post.
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