But that was the end, and tonight my thoughts are with the present...
The kids are growing up quickly. One of them has your petite build; another shares your slightly droopy "Paul McCartney" eyes, and everyone says that Dar is the spitting image of you. And at least once a day I start a sentence with "my mom used to tell me that ..." When we have a famjam the grandkids congregate at their end of the table, laughing, teasing and catching up with one another.They genuinely love spending time together. The evident love they share for one another warms my heart and I can't help but wonder what you would think of it all.
Would you tell them how proud you were of them that they had grown into thoughtful, caring, contributing members of society? Would you marvel at their confidence and resilience, and tell them they already had everything within that they need to be happy? Would you wrinkle your nose at the piercings; tell them that they are perfect, just the way they are; that being their authentic selves is enough?
Your advice gets dispensed regularly, by proxy of your four children. Your voice rambles around my head at the most critical moments and sometimes, at the quietest of times. Your funny little laugh hasn't strayed far and the markers you left behind sustain us when we miss you most.
Guess what I am trying to say is that you live on Mom, in all of us - your kids - and in the grandchildren who speak your name and carry on your legacy of love. So today, on what would be your 73rd birthday, I can tell you that we're doing OK Mom; you prepared us well. The longing for you hasn't faded - we miss you desperately but but we today and always, we celebrate all that you were, and are.
Happy Birthday Mom.
Somehow Lyn, you always seem to beautifully articulate what I am feeling as well about Mom. Thank you for sharing this amazing gift. Love you Sis. Xo
ReplyDeleteLyn.. beautifully written and so true to life. As you know my philosophy about life and life hereafter....you said it all in your blog. Love Henry {polar bear}
ReplyDeleteBeautiful, I feel like I know her and she shares her wisdom with us all. Thank you Momma R :)
ReplyDeleteAlways bring tears to my eyes. You always seems to find the best words for Grama Roma.
ReplyDeleteI think she would say she is proud of all of us. She would be proud of the parents you all became and I think she'd be proud of us grandkids too. Piercings or no piercings :)