Posted on 01/12/2012 6:58:10 AM PST by FryingPan101
When I would think of her over the years, I would think of a blue bird. I never knew why. It's just what I felt. She had an aura. Maybe because her eyes were blue and she could sing like no other. She loved music. It took nothing to make her sing. She expected all her children to sing. We did. Even if she didn't know the words, she would make them up and dance in place. She was the reason I came to write songs. When I was nine years old, I was chosen to sing a solo at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Milledgeville, Georgia. I sang as clear as a bell. Jesus, Thou Art Coming. I couldn't believe it I could sing like that. She turned from her place in the pew and looked at me over my Dad's shoulder. I could only see her eyes. They smiled.
She could whistle. She could whistle whole tunes and they were beautiful. She was beautiful. Eyes of blue, dark hair, a warm smile. She was an artist in her own right. Always sketching faces and scenes. Yet, none of that was her strong suit. Her strong suit was her faith in God. She faced hardships all her life that would have broken an average spirit. She wasn't average. She lit candles for everyone. She fought every day to overcome worry, sadness, fear, and disappointments that came our way as a military family. She stood strong when her young husband went off to WWII as a paratrooper with the 82nd Airborne. Then again he would fight in the Korean Conflict. He wore six stars on his paratrooper wings. He made every campain jump in WWII and Korea. She nearly burst with pride when she spoke of him or introduced him. She faced tragedy with all the strength she could summon when her five year old son was the victim of a drunken driver. She and my Dad cried for a lifetime.
She was a poor man's chef. She could turn eggs and potatoes into the greatest of feasts. She created her own style of spaghetti and meatballs that is still a family favorite today. A rump roast with mashed potatoes and red cabbage was the "welcome home" meal when we all lived far away. When I was a little girl living without the pleasures others took for granted, she would roll up a slice of bologna and call it a rolley-polley. She would make a pitcher of koolaid. She would hang an army blanket over the clothesline to create a tent for me. Boy, were kids jealous of me. And she would sing. I would one day roll up slices of bologna and call them rolley polleys. I would make tents for my children. Cherry Koolaid. Through the years I would move couches together to create a giant playpen for my grandchildren. And I would sing.
She made a home for all of us no matter where we were called to live. She was a decorator, seamstress, cook, dishwasher, housekeeper, policewoman, doctor, teacher, storyteller, and disciplinarian to her children. When we were ill, she was the nurse. She had the softest, coolest hand on earth as it touched our foreheads. My children and grandchildren still bend their heads forward for me to check their temperature...because of her. She was a lady at all times and humbly proud of the beauty God bestowed on her.
It wasn't a perfect life by any means. It was a life filled with challenges that sometimes saw results that were painful. Some days were filled with anguish, confusion, and even anger. But she was always there fighting the fight for her family.
She will always be loved and never forgotten. Yesterday, in the loving care of my sister, she finally ended this life's journey to join my Dad and brothers in heaven. In a dream last night I saw her run to them. She was smiling and she sang.
Thank you for sharing this. I am sorry for your loss, happy for your joy. In many ways, your tribute reminds me of my own mother, gone for some years now. God Bless.
What a beautiful eulogy for your Mother. I pray that you read that at her funeral. You are blessed to have had such a mother. May you be comforted by your wonderful memories of her.
What a beautiful tribute.
A beautiful tribute, to a beautiful life. May God bless you.
As her breathing stopped, my very first thoughts were, "You're whole again, and you're with Dad again."
Lovely, beautiful tribute.
I am so sorry for you loss, FryingPan. Your Mom was very special, beautiful and obviously loved her husband and children. She is not gone from you. She is simply in a wonderful place and will see you again. Prayers for you, my friend. As silly as some may think, I believe she is singing with the angels. ((( Hugs )))
Prayers to you & your family. Thanks for sharing this loving tribute with your FRiends.
What a great tribute. I have to go find a hanky.
God bless you. I am so sorry.
May God bless you and your family. You have a lot of beautiful memories about your mother, treasure them and remember them often.
One day you will be running to your Mom, Dad, and other loved ones!
That is a beautiful and loving tribute any mother would dream of getting. Condolences on your very great loss.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.