This is for my mother. Pictures will soon follow. Mom was a beautiful tomboy with the perfect hour glass figure. My mother was a strong woman who was smart, funny and very direct.
Mom died from smoking related issues. While on a piggy back oxygen system she was still smoking and was warned this was very dangerous. My mother's response was "then I will just get to where I am going sooner"! Mom was determined to do it her way, all the way - and she most certainly did. A year befor her death she kicked hospice out telling them she wasnt interestd in being put to sleep.
I was her only child and she my only parent. I miss her so very much. After divorcing my father she supported both of us on her own. Mom never took the easy path. She had no time for pantyhose and dresses so being a sales lady or secretary was out of the question. Instead, just like her father and brother, she became a machinest at Hughes Industries in Palymra New Jersey. Mom worked there until kidney problems forced an early retirement. It was there that she met the real love of her life, Dan Carter. They courted for a time and married a year later. I was her maid of honor. Shortly befor they married Dan contracted MS and became confined to a wheelchair. Together they forged a life together despite the hardships. When Dan died most of mom went with him. I know now they are together, both healed of so much pain and heartache, healthy and sitting on a pier in God's kingdom laughing and fishing.
My faith helps me face each day without her. The cord may be cut at birth, but it can never be severed.
Mom and I had our best times watching old black and white movies and talking about politics. (she wanted to strangle Bush, father and son, w/ her oxygen hose!) Mom loved animals. We had many including any stary that found its way into her yard. Yes there were difficult times. So many of her dreams never came true. Although a strong woman, due to so many heartaches she was very wounded. I tried to be a good daughter but mom didnt make it easy. I wish we could have worked through all our wounds, but we both knew to do that would mean opening a long since locked door. We also knew time was running out. So we did the best we could, flaws and all.
When I wasnt with her we spoke on the phone two or three times a day. Sometimes just to check in with one another, sometimes to re-do an errand list or just to talk about the days events. Thursday nights were when I did her grocery shopping and got her perscriptions. Afterwords, I would pick up a bucket of Popeye's spicey fried chicken (her favorite)with some dirty rice and biscuts. Then we would just sit at the table and talk. I miss the certainty of our routine. I miss knowing she was there, and knowing that when I called her, she would pick up and say, hello "my kid" or "yesss". I miss all of her and all of us, good and bad.
I pray for half of her determination to stay my course until its my time to leave; then all will be well and we can finally be at peace and together.
All our conversations ended with Mom saying "good night God Bless and I love you. I would reply " I love you too Mom, goodnight". These were the last words we ever spoke to one another. The next day I found her dead in her bath room.
My deepest thanks to all of you who have left kind words and flowers for my mother. It makes the long days w/o her a bit easier for me, and I know my mother is pleasantly surprised to see that so many people really do care.
Mom died from smoking related issues. While on a piggy back oxygen system she was still smoking and was warned this was very dangerous. My mother's response was "then I will just get to where I am going sooner"! Mom was determined to do it her way, all the way - and she most certainly did. A year befor her death she kicked hospice out telling them she wasnt interestd in being put to sleep.
I was her only child and she my only parent. I miss her so very much. After divorcing my father she supported both of us on her own. Mom never took the easy path. She had no time for pantyhose and dresses so being a sales lady or secretary was out of the question. Instead, just like her father and brother, she became a machinest at Hughes Industries in Palymra New Jersey. Mom worked there until kidney problems forced an early retirement. It was there that she met the real love of her life, Dan Carter. They courted for a time and married a year later. I was her maid of honor. Shortly befor they married Dan contracted MS and became confined to a wheelchair. Together they forged a life together despite the hardships. When Dan died most of mom went with him. I know now they are together, both healed of so much pain and heartache, healthy and sitting on a pier in God's kingdom laughing and fishing.
My faith helps me face each day without her. The cord may be cut at birth, but it can never be severed.
Mom and I had our best times watching old black and white movies and talking about politics. (she wanted to strangle Bush, father and son, w/ her oxygen hose!) Mom loved animals. We had many including any stary that found its way into her yard. Yes there were difficult times. So many of her dreams never came true. Although a strong woman, due to so many heartaches she was very wounded. I tried to be a good daughter but mom didnt make it easy. I wish we could have worked through all our wounds, but we both knew to do that would mean opening a long since locked door. We also knew time was running out. So we did the best we could, flaws and all.
When I wasnt with her we spoke on the phone two or three times a day. Sometimes just to check in with one another, sometimes to re-do an errand list or just to talk about the days events. Thursday nights were when I did her grocery shopping and got her perscriptions. Afterwords, I would pick up a bucket of Popeye's spicey fried chicken (her favorite)with some dirty rice and biscuts. Then we would just sit at the table and talk. I miss the certainty of our routine. I miss knowing she was there, and knowing that when I called her, she would pick up and say, hello "my kid" or "yesss". I miss all of her and all of us, good and bad.
I pray for half of her determination to stay my course until its my time to leave; then all will be well and we can finally be at peace and together.
All our conversations ended with Mom saying "good night God Bless and I love you. I would reply " I love you too Mom, goodnight". These were the last words we ever spoke to one another. The next day I found her dead in her bath room.
My deepest thanks to all of you who have left kind words and flowers for my mother. It makes the long days w/o her a bit easier for me, and I know my mother is pleasantly surprised to see that so many people really do care.
This is for my mother. Pictures will soon follow. Mom was a beautiful tomboy with the perfect hour glass figure. My mother was a strong woman who was smart, funny and very direct.
Mom died from smoking related issues. While on a piggy back oxygen system she was still smoking and was warned this was very dangerous. My mother's response was "then I will just get to where I am going sooner"! Mom was determined to do it her way, all the way - and she most certainly did. A year befor her death she kicked hospice out telling them she wasnt interestd in being put to sleep.
I was her only child and she my only parent. I miss her so very much. After divorcing my father she supported both of us on her own. Mom never took the easy path. She had no time for pantyhose and dresses so being a sales lady or secretary was out of the question. Instead, just like her father and brother, she became a machinest at Hughes Industries in Palymra New Jersey. Mom worked there until kidney problems forced an early retirement. It was there that she met the real love of her life, Dan Carter. They courted for a time and married a year later. I was her maid of honor. Shortly befor they married Dan contracted MS and became confined to a wheelchair. Together they forged a life together despite the hardships. When Dan died most of mom went with him. I know now they are together, both healed of so much pain and heartache, healthy and sitting on a pier in God's kingdom laughing and fishing.
My faith helps me face each day without her. The cord may be cut at birth, but it can never be severed.
Mom and I had our best times watching old black and white movies and talking about politics. (she wanted to strangle Bush, father and son, w/ her oxygen hose!) Mom loved animals. We had many including any stary that found its way into her yard. Yes there were difficult times. So many of her dreams never came true. Although a strong woman, due to so many heartaches she was very wounded. I tried to be a good daughter but mom didnt make it easy. I wish we could have worked through all our wounds, but we both knew to do that would mean opening a long since locked door. We also knew time was running out. So we did the best we could, flaws and all.
When I wasnt with her we spoke on the phone two or three times a day. Sometimes just to check in with one another, sometimes to re-do an errand list or just to talk about the days events. Thursday nights were when I did her grocery shopping and got her perscriptions. Afterwords, I would pick up a bucket of Popeye's spicey fried chicken (her favorite)with some dirty rice and biscuts. Then we would just sit at the table and talk. I miss the certainty of our routine. I miss knowing she was there, and knowing that when I called her, she would pick up and say, hello "my kid" or "yesss". I miss all of her and all of us, good and bad.
I pray for half of her determination to stay my course until its my time to leave; then all will be well and we can finally be at peace and together.
All our conversations ended with Mom saying "good night God Bless and I love you. I would reply " I love you too Mom, goodnight". These were the last words we ever spoke to one another. The next day I found her dead in her bath room.
My deepest thanks to all of you who have left kind words and flowers for my mother. It makes the long days w/o her a bit easier for me, and I know my mother is pleasantly surprised to see that so many people really do care.
Mom died from smoking related issues. While on a piggy back oxygen system she was still smoking and was warned this was very dangerous. My mother's response was "then I will just get to where I am going sooner"! Mom was determined to do it her way, all the way - and she most certainly did. A year befor her death she kicked hospice out telling them she wasnt interestd in being put to sleep.
I was her only child and she my only parent. I miss her so very much. After divorcing my father she supported both of us on her own. Mom never took the easy path. She had no time for pantyhose and dresses so being a sales lady or secretary was out of the question. Instead, just like her father and brother, she became a machinest at Hughes Industries in Palymra New Jersey. Mom worked there until kidney problems forced an early retirement. It was there that she met the real love of her life, Dan Carter. They courted for a time and married a year later. I was her maid of honor. Shortly befor they married Dan contracted MS and became confined to a wheelchair. Together they forged a life together despite the hardships. When Dan died most of mom went with him. I know now they are together, both healed of so much pain and heartache, healthy and sitting on a pier in God's kingdom laughing and fishing.
My faith helps me face each day without her. The cord may be cut at birth, but it can never be severed.
Mom and I had our best times watching old black and white movies and talking about politics. (she wanted to strangle Bush, father and son, w/ her oxygen hose!) Mom loved animals. We had many including any stary that found its way into her yard. Yes there were difficult times. So many of her dreams never came true. Although a strong woman, due to so many heartaches she was very wounded. I tried to be a good daughter but mom didnt make it easy. I wish we could have worked through all our wounds, but we both knew to do that would mean opening a long since locked door. We also knew time was running out. So we did the best we could, flaws and all.
When I wasnt with her we spoke on the phone two or three times a day. Sometimes just to check in with one another, sometimes to re-do an errand list or just to talk about the days events. Thursday nights were when I did her grocery shopping and got her perscriptions. Afterwords, I would pick up a bucket of Popeye's spicey fried chicken (her favorite)with some dirty rice and biscuts. Then we would just sit at the table and talk. I miss the certainty of our routine. I miss knowing she was there, and knowing that when I called her, she would pick up and say, hello "my kid" or "yesss". I miss all of her and all of us, good and bad.
I pray for half of her determination to stay my course until its my time to leave; then all will be well and we can finally be at peace and together.
All our conversations ended with Mom saying "good night God Bless and I love you. I would reply " I love you too Mom, goodnight". These were the last words we ever spoke to one another. The next day I found her dead in her bath room.
My deepest thanks to all of you who have left kind words and flowers for my mother. It makes the long days w/o her a bit easier for me, and I know my mother is pleasantly surprised to see that so many people really do care.
