Condolence From: Kathy
Condolence: y mom was born in a house her dad built in nineteen thirty-one-- It was The Depression, they were poor, but she still had lots of fun. She loved to play paper dolls, kick-the-can, ride bikes, climb trees-- Get all dressed up and go downtown ... ride the streetcar on shopping sprees! She had a lot of friends as she went through school: Hale Cook and Southwest High- While working the switchboard at Reeves-Wiedeman, she caught my father's eye! Mom was very beautiful, with dark eyes, dark hair, and a big white smile- She loved high heels, dressed simply but nice, always had a sense of style!
Mom got married at age nineteen, and she and Dad have lived through much-
For one thing ... Dad's an Irishman and Mom was very, very Dutch! As the years rolled by, it was clear; Mom's calling was to be a mother- She devoted her life to making a home for Dad, me, and my brother! Mom kept the cleanest house I've ever had the pleasure to be in- Our home ran smoothly with chores and routines and love and discipline! Mom was active in P.T.A., Girl Scouts, and all of our school events- Being a room mother and staying involved ... she said just made good sense! Something I'll always remember and many times I thanked Mom for ... Was the good dinners she had cooking when I came through the door! Mom made me practice my piano lessons every single day- Sometimes I pouted, but she was right. Now I'm so glad I can play! Mom and I could play piano duets and have 'sing-alongs' for hours- Another thing we so enjoyed was gardening and tending flowers. We loved to shop 'til we dropped and go antiquing-it was so much fun- A butter pat? Sock darner? Bone dish? She could name each and every one! We liked to bake cookies together and she made the very best pies- "Don't handle the dough too much!" she would emphasize. She read the Bible to us, and I'm so very glad she did- So lucky to get the seeds of faith when I was just a kid! We sang along with Mitch Miller almost every Friday night- We played board games and told stories ... so idyllic in hindsight!
Mom's favorite place in the world was on the Island of Sanibel- I can still see her bent over looking for just one more pretty shell! Mom and Dad were both great at helping those who were sick or down- Mom and I even delivered 'Meals on Wheels' all around the town!
I was always proud to bring my friends home, Mom made it clean and cozy-
If I'd had a hard day ... our home was where things were more rosy! Mom was a perfectionist so anything she learned to do- Had to be exactly 100% right ... no room for a snafu! Her afghans were beautiful-she could've sold them for a bunch- She made me a gorgeous yellow one, and I was pleased as punch! Mom would always say she's had a wonderful life, for the most part- But the last three years were brutal for Mom and her poor little heart! She survived so many drastic health issues-she even surprised the 'Doc,' She's only been gone one day now and I miss her so much! I'm in shock! Mom would always light up when I visited her in 'The Home.' I'd fix her nails, clean her room, or read her many a poem! I really didn't mind doing your laundry, Mom. I wish you were still here- At least you're with Jesus now ... you're out of pain and misery and fear!
This is my worst Christmas ever because you're gone, and I miss you-
I cried so hard planning your funeral. I went through lots of tissue! Sunday, I had planned on wheeling you and Dad down to hear 'The Messiah' singing- But you died and went to Heaven, met our Lord while true Christmas bells were ringing!
You had other plans for Christmas, you knew you were going home to God--
It's your first Christmas in Heaven! By His presence and glory you are awed! I loved you very much, Mom. I'm so sorry your last 3 ½ years were real painful and heartbreaking. I wish I could’ve done more for you; and I thank you for being a wonderful mother to me my whole life. My best friend is now gone, and even at my age it feels bad to be Motherless. I look forward to seeing you again someday.
So many things will remind me of you: pink tulips, roast beef dinners, lemon pies, antiques, ocean waves and
seashells, shopping, Paris perfume, leopard skin scarves and purses, cherry trees, the smell of Murphy's Oil Soap and Mr. Clean, Eucalyptus, Wheel of Fortune, crossword puzzles, beautifully set tables, antiques, tearooms, fun costume jewelry, watching mysteries on t.v., gazing at the night sky, piano duets, cracking each other up, all holidays, country music, Gretchen (your glass head doll), hot water bottles, roses, bubble baths, cross-stitch samplers, a rolling pin, a cabin at the Ozarks, a warm washrag for itchy eyes, even my iron and ironing board! MOM! YOUR LASTING INFLUENCE IS EVERYWHERE I LOOK. I REALLY MISS YOU.
Dad and Mike and I appreciate everything you did and who you were. You dedicated your life to your family ...I just wish you knew how much you were really loved. Thanks, Mom, for the memories ...
Love; Kathy
Friday December 22, 2017
