Sunday, May 8, 2011
Happy Mother's Day, Mom
On a somber Tuesday night four years ago today- at exactly 8:41pm on May 8th, 2007- I watched as my 57 year old mother left this world far too soon. Since then I can’t count the number of tears I cried, sleepless nights I’ve had, or the number of times I’ve asked the question ‘why?’. Without hesitation I can easily spend today doing just that. But instead, on this day I choose to celebrate her life and celebrate the amazing mother she was.
They say the dates on your tombstone don’t matter… it’s the little line that stands in between the two that define who the person was.
So Mom, on this Mother’s Day, I give you your line.
Happy Mother’s Day Mom and Happy Four Years of painless peace. Here’s your in-between…
1949 – 2007
My Beautiful Mother, where do I begin?
Stunning on the outside, even more within
Eyes that glistened and shined with grace
A smile as welcoming as a warm embrace
Strong and determined- stubborn as they come
If you had your mind set- it was over and done
You craved your morning coffee and Marlboro 100 Lights
Shopping on the weekends and late casino nights
Summers on the beach or tanning by the lake
Winters watching football or sleeping in real late
Sunglasses and purses- the bigger the better
Before it was popular you were always the trendsetter
Loved General Hospital and Dancing with the Stars
Planting in the garden and sitting in the front yard
You changed your kitchen curtains every other week
The house was always spotless- you huge neat freak
The “man” of the house – your hands did it all
Laid down new flooring, painted all the walls
Never scared to get dirty- always jumped right in
Such a lady on the outside, yet a tomboy within
Politics made your blood boil but how you loved it so
Seemed like every other month there was a sign in our window
Your name was on the ballot the month after you died
and wouldn’t you know you still won it by a landslide
Handing out turkeys on a cold Thanksgiving day
Filling up a refrigerator for a family who’d lost their way
You always gave to others more than you took in
Helping made you feel better than receiving ever did
Though you had a kind demeanor- you could be a real blood-hound
Cross you the wrong way and you were the biggest bitch around
You took no prisoners and your hit list was long
No one ever questioned how much you were headstrong
You stood up for what you believed in and never backed down
When others around you were quiet- you had the loudest voice around
You rooted for the underdog even if they stood no chance
You walked to your own rhythm and swayed to your own dance
No matter where you would go, it’s like you were the Mayor
Someone was always saying- ‘Hey Patty see ya later!’
If your children ever did something wrong-oh God forbid
There was always someone around- “ Aren’t you Patricia’s kid?”
There’s no doubting the fact- I’m your daughter, for sure
Your stubbornness, kindness- and the strength to endure
Your life was one lived striving to better the future
But you got cut off too soon- never closed that last suture
Your line may be determined between two certain years
But the meaning behind it lives on loud and clear
So although your tombstone may read 1949 - 2007
Your legacy and energy live on even now in 2011
Taken away too soon, four years ago today
I may have lost my mother but your memory is here to stay
Your soul, your energy, that power you possessed
Continues to tuck me in at night and lay me down to rest
I know one thing for certain- your line was carved in bold
Your in-between had meaning still continuing to unfold
Happy Mother’s Day in Heaven and Happy Four Years at Rest
Today I celebrate your life and the woman who lived it best!
I love you, Mom
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