Mother's day is once again upon us and in acknowledgement of the day, I am composing this tribute to my mother. My mom often said (mostly if we had a disagreement), that the day would come when I would wish I could hear her voice reprimanding me. I used to think, "yeah, right." How correct she was, however. What I would give to hear her voice once again!
My mom and I had a special relationship, of sorts and it was established out of necessity in some ways. I became physically challenged at the age of fifteen and my mom, who was a very determined lady, appointed herself as my primary aide and assistant. From that day on, my mom and I remained together until she passed away on May 6, 2007 at the wonderful age of 100 years old. She was truly the "Wind beneath my wings." She encouraged me to push on and never give-in to self-doubts nor to other's opinions of what I chose to do. Mom encouraged me to forge ahead with my education and to become more than I thought I could ever be.
God then turned the table and gave me the opportunity to payback some of what my mom had done for me. She feared "growing old" and being put into a place she did not know. Often, she would ask me to promise her that I would keep her in our home for as long as possible. Because of my career (that she had encouraged), I was earning enough money to hire personnel to assist both of us. I kept my promise to mom. She died in her own room, in her own bed, in her own home.
How does one say thank you to the person who devoted their life to another's well-being? How does one ever stop missing their best friend...their confidant...their mom? I love you, mom, just as much today as I did when you were here with me. Our separation is only temporary and then we will be reunited for eternity with healthy bodies and "forever" on our minds.
A happy Mother's day to all of the gracious ladies out there who have sacrificed and who have taught us how to love.
