I love this picture of my Mom because she just looks so happy.
As we spend our last moments with my Mom we have all been doing a lot of reminiscing of what she has meant to all of us. It has been so fun to hear all the stories of the good times Mom has had over the years. Every single person who has come up to visit Mom has told us what a great person she is. She is so loved by everyone.
Mom has taught me so many things over the years and has always been here for me in anything I needed.
I have so many memories of being with Mom as she taught me to sew, cook, bake, garden, and many, many life skills.
4-H was a huge part of Mom's life when she was a child. I remember her telling us all about the Silent Pie demonstrations she did while she was in 4-H and winning a trip to the State Fair. So when I, along with my cousin made it to the State Fair with our demonstration she was so proud of us. She was the person who taught me not to be afraid to speak in public and to share the skills I know with others.
She was the person that taught me how to be smart with my money. I remember her going to the bank with me to open my first checking account. She sat down with me to make sure I knew how to balance it. She was so organized when it came to bookwork and she has passed that life skill onto me.
I am sure everyone thinks their Mom is the best cook but my Mom really is. There are so many things that she cooked that I cannot even come close to doing. But I try because she taught me to not give up. I still find myself calling her and asking her questions about recipes. The thought of not being able to do that crushes me.....
Speaking of calling her, my daughters and I were just talking about what terrible spellers we are. I told them how I used to call Mom up and ask her how to spell things. The first thing she would say to me was, did you try looking it up in the dictionary and I would respond that is what you are for. And of course, she would then tell me how to spell what I was trying to spell. The girls thought that was so funny because they just ask Google how to spell things. Mom has always been one of the smartest people I know.
And then there is laundry...I will admit I was a spoiled child when it came to doing chores. Mom would let me get away with not doing everything I was supposed to do. So when it came to doing laundry she aways did it for me. Then when I was in the 12th grade Mom went on a dream trip to Ireland she made me learn how to do laundry. I thought I did a good job of it until recently. As Mom has been getting sicker my girls have been helping her with her laundry. They have all asked me why Grandma's clothes come out so much better than theirs. They tell me I am a failure at teaching them how to do laundry properly. Sorry Mom I guess I did not listen to you very well.....
When I was 19 and had a baby while I really was still a child myself Mom taught me how to be a Mommy to the tiny baby that I had no idea what to do with. I am not sure I could have done it without her. She welcomed me back in her home until Cassie was 7 months old and even after we moved out she was always the person I called when I was struggling.
My sisters and I used to go to Mom and Dad's house every Sunday with all the kids and spend the day. Mom was working a full-time job back then but every Sunday would entertain us and make us a big meal. I don't know how she did it, it must have been exhausting for her but she never complained. We had so much fun on those Sundays. The kids all loved going to Grandma's house.
I see now how Mom was creating memories for all of us. Every one of the Grandkids and Great Grandkids has so many stories and memories of spending time with her. You could always find her in the audience for every concert they were in and cheering them on at sporting events.
So now as her life is coming to an end she is bringing us all together again. So many friends and relatives have been stopping up to say one last goodbye to her and tell her what she has meant to them. I love hearing all the stories from her lady friends of all the trips they have done together. And hearing from all of her nieces and nephews about all the things she did for them over the years is heartwarming. Watching my daughters come to see her and help care for her with such tenderness these past weeks shows me just what a great grandma she has been to them.
She has touched so many people's lives over the last 84 years. She is the best Mom, Grandma, Sister, Aunt, wife to my Dad, and friend to everyone.
She is the anchor that holds us all together.....
Even though I know that no one lives forever and that Mom has had a great life I don't want her to go....This is so, so hard...But I know that we will be okay because she has taught us well....
Hugs to everyone that Mom has touched...
Sharon
