Today my mother would have been 103 years old! She died on her 93rd birthday in 2009. Nothing would have pleased her more than to spend her birthday with my Dad and the Lord. I thought it would get easier since it has been 10 years since she passed, but it's just the opposite. Since my breast cancer diagnosis I've wished she were here so many times. But at the same time it would have been doubly hard for her to watch me go through surgery and treatments and I wouldn't want that. Being a mother myself I think you hurt twice as much if something happens to your child.
I performed the eulogy at her funeral and it was based on her guiding principles... Faith Family Friends.
Mom was a first grade school teacher for 41 years and was the sweetest woman you could ever hope to meet. I want to share some of the lessons she taught me.
Lesson #1 – Always put God at the center of your life.
Faith was always at the core of my Mom – she was the most spiritual woman I know. I don’t think anything brought her more joy than going to church and singing those hymns… and she sang Loud! I’m thankful I was raised in the Christian faith because faith was what got me through losing my Dad at age 17 and what gives me comfort when times are hard.
Lesson #2 - Never stop dating your spouse.
My folks had a great love affair. She always said that the marriage is the core of the family and you must nurture that first, and then everything else will fall into place. I don't know what I would have done without Dan by my side through everything - he's been my rock. Mom and Dad used to go out dancing at least every month and I used to love to watch them dance... I'm certain that is where I got my rhythm and my love to dance :-)
Lesson #3 - Take time for your friends because they will always be there for you.
Mom always had lots of friends. She wrote a note to someone nearly every day when she retired just to say hi or let someone know she was thinking of them. So many of you have done that for me through all this and I'm so very thankful. My friends have always been there for me throughout this journey. I pray that I'm as good of a friend as you all.
My Mother was my hero, she had the patience of Job, was kind to everyone she met and loved unconditionally. My biggest regret in life is not being more patient with her especially as she got older. Those of you that are still blessed to have your Mother, try to be understanding and less irritable as they age.
Cancer has a way of changing your view of life. I realize even more how blessed I am to have my faith, family and friends. I was blessed to have my Mom for 50 years and I know she is blessing others in heaven today.
xo
