My mom has been ill, and is now in the hospital. For the last 3 years, in addition to caring for our families, my sisters and I have been taking care of the lady who brought us into the world...
She is not well.
Last week as I stood at her kitchen sink and washed her dishes I discovered 2 knives she had bought many years ago in her marriage to my dad. The knife distributor was a door to door salesman who had "everlasting" blades in his bag, and he was selling top quality cutlery which "would last her a lifetime". It donned on me, as I stood there, in mom's government subsidized apartment, these knives were all she had to show for her 38 year marriage. My sister reminded me that "I" was also something to show for all those years. Sigh. I felt tears in my eyes. Somehow, the 6 of us didn't, or couldn't, quite validate the importance of the woman who was sick and dying before our very eyes.
She is better, but things are changing. Unlike my beloved Foamy, I can't move mom in with us and give her all the physical and medical attention she deserves. Her needs are great and beyond my skill. She understands and accepts this fact.
As I move through this period of grief, and it is grief- even though she is still here, I lose a small part of her every day...I want to write about the things she has said and done which imparted wisdom, laughter, and joy to me from my early years until the present. Even yesterday she made me laugh!
She is allergic to percocet, and she said, "It makes me itch like a monkey with a flea!"
LMAO!
I know you do not KNOW my mom, but that is one of the funniest things she's ever said to me! And I have seen her itch on percocet...so maybe that's part of why the phrase is so funny :)
When my Grandmother (mom's mom) saw me for the first time as a baby, Grandma said she saw a halo around MY head. She told my mom I was special. Before last night I had NEVER heard that story. I'm not sure my Grandmother or my mom were/are right- because I have certainly made a TON of mistakes and bad choices...but my mom swears the story is true. I am NOT an angel. I am ONLY holy if Jesus has made me so, and I feel very far from all those things these days.
Eternal life has less value to me than this present life, and forgive me if I sound like a doubter...because I am not. I do believe in God, and I think He has a special place for souls like that of my mother. I feel certain life exists beyond this dim plane- and people I have loved deeply have made it clear to me their love still exists for me- and is extended to me, despite being in a form I can no longer hug or touch. LOVE is an ENERGY. Period. Figure out what ENERGY is and can do and you will understand what I mean.
My mom used to sing nursery rhymes to us as a kid...one was "Sam, Sam, the garbage man- washed his face with a frying pan, brushed his teeth with a monkeys tail, and died with a toothache---in his..heel"
she always paused before saying the word "heel"- knowing full well we'd think that didn't quite rhyme...
???"Died with a toothache- and went to hell...."???
Our Dentists ALWAYS said we had the BEST TEETH!
I so love my mom.
6 comments:
Ahh, sweetheart.. You have so much been in my heart these past several weeks.
💙
Oh, Cora. I'm so, so, so sorry.
Keeping you all in my thoughts and prayers, Cora.
My dear,
I'm so sorry for your loss. I lost my mother 24 years ago and it still pains sometimes and I still miss her. If it is any consolation, I still feel her with me when I need her.
Keep writing - these are great things to remember.
Sending you love and light
Pinks
Dear Cora,
I am sorry for your loss.
Hugs.
Be well-
Chesca
I am so sorry for your loss. These are beautiful words.
My mom will turn 63 this year. I, too, will occasionally hear a story I haven't heard before or at least don't remember hearing. And always have that same thought, "How am I just now hearing this?"
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