here's to my mama

As many of you readers know, my mom passed away of cancer in Feb. 2006,with just 6 weeks between her diagnosis and death. That being the case, Mothers Day should, perhaps, be difficult for me. But instead of feeling all sorry that I don't have my sweet mom in my life anymore, I just try and be grateful that I got her for as long as I did.

Somehow, even being 6 months pregnant and crazy emotional, I was able to write and deliver Mom's life sketch at her funeral. I've decided to post an excerpt from it. I think it's a great tribute to an amazing woman who truly lived life like no one else!:

"In June 1979, Delores was widowed after Greg was killed in an auto accident. She always described that time as a turning point in her life--for, while she was never afraid of hard work, her real desire was always to be at home with her children. Not one to sit and feel sorry for herself though, she rolled up her sleeves and set out to make the best of things. She always wanted to give us kids more than just a roof over our heads. She thought we deserved music lessons, roller skating, travel, time to camp and enjoy nature, and the ability to have dinner and ice cream out on a regular basis. We can all remember how hard she worked and the variety of jobs she did to make these things possible. She cleaned houses for builders, helped run cattle, catered for Hewlett-Packard, was a realtor, worked at the layaway department of Woolworths, and did a variety of secretarial work.

As a means of saving gas money one year, Delores purchased a motorcycle to ride to work. Not long after, she was riding in cross-country motorcycle trips and on mountain trails. She and Wayne and their friends enjoyed many outings on the bikes together. The only time Mom every spoke even a semi-unkind word of Wayne would be to describe some of the steep and difficult trails he would choose to ride on. She would usually finish a distance behind him, but she never gave up!

She also tried her hand at skiing, snorkeling, crafts, snowmobiling, and tennis; and co-captained her boat around North and Central America and everywhere in between. Hers was a life of adventure many can only dream about..

Like most Grandmas, Delores adored her grandchildren, and she was their best pal too. She was not the stand around and bake cookies kind of Grandma--though she did her fair share of that--but you would more than likely find her on the floor carrying children on her back, or sleeping in a tent pitched in the living room with them.

What set Mom apart and made her so unforgettable was that she woke up each day and lived to make others' lives better. She called store clerks and waiters by their names and genuinely wanted to know how their days were going. She talked to fussy babies in shopping carts. She wrote a letter to some friend or relative nearly every day. Her smile and enthusiasm were as contagious as her warm laugh. Even after learning her days on this earth were coming to an end, she continued on in her humor and positive attitude--always thinking of others before herself, and taking time to visit with every one who came to see her. She loved living and loved life, and the influence and example of her goodness will continue to be felt by me every day."

.....and that's still the truth Mom. Now more than ever. Happy Mothers Day.