Mothers’
Day…
This weekend is Mother's Day...
I am biased...
I am of the opinion that I had the best Mom in the world...
My Mom has been gone 34 years...
I was 27 when Mom died...
She's been gone from my Life for a period of time
longer than I knew her...
That seems so impossible...
Mom was an amazing woman...
She raised two families, really...
The first litter and the second litter...
What a dysfunctional group
we all turned out to be...
But she loved us anyway.
Mom
I love this photo of my Mom...
I assume she gave this photo to Dad...
and she gave it 'affectionately'...
She said so...
I look back at the wonderful times we all had...
Our family in general...
and I realize it was Mom that kept us all together.
Our family started to fragment when Mom died.
She was the glue that held us all together.
What a tough job it is that Moms must have.
Mom...
Because I had such a wonderful Mother,
I assumed that everyone had the same kind...
... but that isn't true.
There are 'absent' Moms out there...
There are emotionally abusive Moms out there...
There are verbally abusive Moms...
There are physically abusive Moms.
... and I got one that loved me...
...cared for me...
...cared about me.
I realize I am so fortunate.
Evelyn Ruth Ohl Brown
Mom, the later years...
Mom, the later years...
I look at these images of my Mom...
and I hurt so.
The hole in my heart that was created
when she died hasn't healed over.
The hurt is as bad today
as it was then...
Of course, there are two other Mothers involved...
Mary Jane Coles Brown
This is my Grandmother Brown...
At the time when women didn't go to college,
Mary Jane Coles was a graduate
of Southern Illinois University in
Carbondale, Illinois.
She was a school teacher...
My Aunt Winnie on the left side of the photo...
... that other character is my Dad.
GrandMother Brown died in January 10, 1929...
I feel a very strong connection to her.
Dad loved his Mother...
He told me what a wonderful,
loving woman she was.
He told me that the loss of his Mother was one
of the most difficult things he ever endured.
Ann Elizabeth Helfrich Ohl
This is my Grandmother Ohl...
My Mom's Mom...
They were from Mascoutah, a small German settlement just outside of
East St. Louis, Illinois...
My Grandmother Ohl died on January 13, 1929...
Just a few days after my Grandmother Brown.
Dad said that they had just returned from the cemetery...
that it was SO bitterly cold that day...
and that they had only been at the house for a few
moments when someone came to get Mom...
Her Mom was so ill...
My Mother adored her Mom...
I was with my Mother at home, the night before she died...
Mom sat up in bed and reached out...
calling for her Mother...
I do believe that her Mom came to take her Home...
So... I had a wonderful Mom...
Mom had a wonderful Mom...
Dad had a wonderful Mom...
Sometimes, things do work out...
Don't they?
I love you, Mom...
I miss you each and every day...
~Jim~
I hear you and feel your pain. I was 17 when my mom died.
ReplyDeletedefinitely the glue that holds the family together. ♥
Hey you...
DeleteHow are you doing?
Yes, Mom was what held my family together...
I am sorry that you lost yours when you were so young...
I was fortunate.. I had a good one...
~shoes~
I think you should consider wearing blue shoes too, my friend. I can feel your pain and I know it will never go away, as it shouldn't for yor love for your Momma is eternal.
ReplyDelete*your
DeleteHey Grumpster...
DeleteShe was so special...much like how you felt when you wrote that recent post about your Mom...
One is never ready for that kind of loss..
*sighs*
~shoes~
Never.
DeleteI read this and it hits me how lucky I am to still have my Mom... at 86 she is still the glue that holds us all together. Your loss came much too soon but, I loved this: " I do believe that her Mom came to take her Home..." I believe our loved ones will be waiting for us too someday and that is so very comforting. I hope my kids feel this way about me..... hugs !
ReplyDeleteGood morning, you...
DeleteYes... when I was younger... and Mom was alive, I always guessed that Dad would die first... and we would have Mom to care for...
I never ever imagined that Mom would go first...
That night, she did sit up... and extended her arms outward... so she did see her Mom... and I do believe that she was there to take her dear daughter home with her...
~shoes~
Shoes, you make me want to cry.
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful woman.
Scars are better than never experiencing (says Lady Jane adventurer...whoa...not that close) and that's the truth.
Hey Jules...
DeleteShe was a beautiful woman... and I miss her each and every day...
You are exactly right about scars... they are proof that we lived and experienced Life...
No?
I hope all is well with you, dear...
~shoes~
Hey, Red: I see u in your mom's eyes... sounds like u did have the ideal mom... Not to be a downer, but , I've always hated the Hallmark holiday... One should not need a reminder..as someone told me 'everyday is Mother's Day;...
ReplyDeleteGood morning, Chris...
DeleteI never realized or thought about it until I sent some photos of Mom to my daughter... and she said that it was almost just like looking at me...
Mom was wonderful and ideal for me...
We are human and we all have flaws...
I meant to include in my post about how everyday is Mothers' Day... and I lost that thought...
Dammit...
She at least walks through my mind once a day...
As does Dad...
I miss them both so...
I hope all is well with you, dear...
~shoes~
I too lost my mum while in my 20's. She saw one of my daughters born, and knew I was expecting the second one. In fact she helped choose her name. Sadly she wasn't there to see them growing up into the bright and beautiful women they are today. I am now older than my mum was at the point she died and I bless every day for being around to see my daughters live their lives. I guess I did a good job, but it would have been a better job with my mum around to give me wise words and guidance.
ReplyDeleteHey you...
DeleteI guess I did a good job, but it would have been a better job with my mum around to give me wise words and guidance.
I remember when we brought our daughter home from the hospital... we were young... we had no clue... the baby was crying her head off... and there was nothing we could do to soothe her.
Mom happened to come by... and went back into the baby's room... and the crying stopped... I went back to the door to look in... and Mom was in the rocker with the baby on her shoulder...
Moms have that ability... don't they? And they leave before we get to learn everything from them we need to know...
God I miss that woman...
Thank you for your kindest words...
~shoes~
I also meant to say that like you after all this time, the tears still flow for her. I'm sending you hugs from the UK xxxx
ReplyDeleteYes, they do... thank you so much...
Delete*huggles*
~shoes~
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ReplyDelete?
Delete~shoes~
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDelete??
Delete~shoes~
I can't recall the exact quote or who said it, but the essence was "There is no substitution for a wonderful childhood. It is the greatest of gifts.' I agree with that wholeheartedly. Seems like there are nothing but challenges in adulthood. If we were lucky enough to have parents that provided a secure, safe, loving environment when we are kids... well, that is a blessing.
ReplyDeleteI think your mom did see her mom at the end. That sort of thing (calling out for loved ones like they are in the room) is common just before someone passes. It gives me comfort. Those people are not gone, but are simply in a place we cannot see... yet. One day we will. And I am glad. And I want to see them again... just not yet.
I'm sorry you lost your mom at such a young age. My mother is eighty-nine and there are certainly problems dealing with aged parents that you avoided. But you mother does sound like she was an extraordinary person.
ReplyDeleteI had written a long and deep comment. Then my computer lost the connection to the internet, as usual, and also lost the comment. I don't know quite how to say it again. Even though you lost your mom early, it sounds like you're a very lucky man.
ReplyDeleteGreetings good sir,
ReplyDeleteSuch a young age to have your beloved mother pass on. Yet, despite this, your glowing, loving tribute to her. From mother to grandmother, the resonance of your good self shines on. You all shine together.
Even though my mother is so far away in Vancouver, 8 time zones and 4500 miles, we are so far apart and yet so close together.
Peace and goodwill to you,
Gary
What a beautiful tribute that honors your mom and the love you have for her. It is coming up on 30 years ago that I lost my own beloved mother -- one truly never gets over this. I find myself with a heart pain on days like Mothers Day, birthdays, and the like.
ReplyDeleteMary @ The View from my World
Aww, Shoes, what a beautiful and meaningful post
ReplyDeleteRE:
He told me that the loss of his Mother was one
of the most difficult things he ever endured.
-I feel your pain. Holidays and special occasions are especially the hardest.
The way you feel about your mom is how I feel about my dad. He totally rocked at being a dad and he died way to young. I was 27 and am 44 now. I still miss that man terribly. My mom did the best with the tools she had.
ReplyDeleteI hope you were able to do something enjoyable in memory of your mom yesterday. Hugs!
Hugs and hearts to you always.
ReplyDeleteK.
Your mom sounded like a wonderful, strong person!
ReplyDelete