This will mark the 10th missed Mother’s Day with my own dear Mom. It is difficult to believe that it has been a decade since she slipped from our grasp. My Mom and I, like all parent to child relationships, had our ups and downs, our ins and outs, but as we got old (or older) together we became more like friends than parent and child.
Folks tell me that I remind them of her. That is truly a special compliment.
Mom passed from cancer on Christmas Eve, 1999. She fought a valiant battle with the dreaded disease and was courageous until the end. She set the bar for us when it comes to facing disease and death with dignity.
When I was cleaning out her condo, attached to a drawing of a cat, was a little typed piece of paper. Even ten years later, just reading it brings tears to my eyes.
"In one of the stars I shall be living
In one of them I shall be laughing
And so it will be as if all the stars
Were laughing when you look at the sky at night."
Antoine de Saint-Expery
On many a starry night, while sitting on my deck, with my usual glass of chardonnay, I look up and lift a glass to Mom. I know she looks down and wishes she was on the deck joining me in the wine, laughter and life.
Here’s to you Mom!
The glasses of wine are on the table in front of us!
Jeff and Mom at our first not so annual Christmas Carol singing
Other blogs about my Mom on Flipside:
Bound for Mom: Milepost # 1—A Journey of Firsts
Bound for Mom: Milepost #2—Roadside Café
Bound for Mom: Milepost #4—The World is Not Flat
Well my glass has a Jean Bousquet Malbec from Argentina and I am raising it to you and your Mom.
ReplyDeleteI am in Vernon, B.C. for the wedding of our used to be neighbours son. Our kids grew up together but they have been up her for 13 years.
Quite an emotional day tomorrow I think.
Linda, your Mom looks like a delightful lady. As I have been without my mother for 10 years, as well, I can relate so easily to your words. I think Martha and she would have gotten along famously.
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