DaBabs

What I wrote for my mom's program

It’s appropriate that our Mother passed away during the month of May. May is traditionally dedicated to recognizing Mary, the mother of Jesus, and really, Our Mother as well. Pope John Paul II, “that nice little Polish boy” as our Mom liked to say, was adored by our Mom and encouraged a devotion to Mary. He was beatified on May 1, 2011. God’s connections are everywhere.

Mom passed away at age 75 -- the same age as our Dad when he passed. She died on May 28, he died on Feb. 18. When Chris received Mom’s hospital bed at her home, the man delivering it was an older gentleman named Arch. He hadn’t delivered a bed in five years, but for some reason, was called to help out that day. We believe it was Dad, coming to help Mom home.

Our Mom was one-of-a-kind -- a “great lady,” as many people have told us. She was truly a gentle woman, with a quiet light and an amazing sense of humor and strength. She was a daughter (RoShe to her family), sister, cousin, wife, sister-in-law, mother, aunt, friend, grandma, neighbor, and parishioner. She was a part-time secretary in the early years of Andersen Fire Equipment Company (which was the Begley family business), Cub Scout den mother, Brownie Girl Scout leader, Marian Mom, cheerleader at our events, Eucharistic Minister of Holy Communion, bridge player, solitaire and Sudoku lover, occasional golfer, devotee to Eucharistic Adoration, and worldwide traveler. When Dad died, she mourned, but picked up the pieces and continued with her active social and spiritual life. Her strength amazed us all.

In short, she was our world. The person we called eagerly to tell our good news to; or the only person who understood why we were upset about something. There is a reason why people turn into giddy children, wave and mouth “Hi, Mom!” when they see a camera. Moms are everything to us. They comfort us when we’re sad or hurt, encourage us and love us unconditionally.

She never pushed any of us into being something we weren’t. She encouraged and nurtured each of our talents. And while we joke that each of us was Mom’s favorite, we were all her favorite in our own way.

Our parents are now united in Heaven. And while we are sad to lose her, knowing that we have two angels watching over us, and our children, comforts us. We will draw from the strength our Mother possessed to get us through this, because as she would say, “It is what it is.” Moving on and continuing to be the good people she raised is the best tribute we could ever hope to give her.

posted by DaBabs @ 8:14 AM