Monday, March 21, 2011

Remembering.....

There once was this precious little girl....

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....who grew in to a beautiful young lady...
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...and was always with the latest fashion...even the beehive hair-do.
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She married a very handsome man in the fall of 1967....
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...and later had a son and a daughter.  
(Mom and me, Summer 1977)
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She LOVED her children and her children loved her.  She did everything she could to make them happy.

(Mom and me, Summer 1979)
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....and although she later divorced her children's father, she remained friends with him. Together they would support their children in the important times. 
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She was close to her daughter.....and her daughter loved the times they were together.
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Eventually, her daughter married an amazing man...and the mama couldn't have been happier with the husband God had chosen for her little girl.

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A few years later, her daughter was pregnant. She called to let her mom know she was expecting a baby GIRL. At that moment, I am pretty sure the entire neighborhood heard her squealing with delight. (The man next door came running over to make sure she was okay, from what I hear. ha!)


A few months later, her first granddaughter was born, and she was on Cloud 9. 


Her life was good.
(4 generations!!! January 2003)
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But within a few short months, her life changed. And anyone who knew her, their life changed as well.

This sweet lady was diagnosed with cancer....a brain tumor.

Slowly, it robbed her of well being....her quality of life....her quantity of life....

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But through it all, she never lost that contagious smile. 


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She could light up a room just by walking in it. Everyone loved her, because she truly loved everyone....

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Rounds and rounds of chemo made her swell and feel awful, but she never let that get her down. She used every ounce of energy she had to smile, when the tumor robbed her of her ability to speak.....then walk...then move....

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Her children (and granddaughter) remained the center of her life. Even though she couldn't express it, her son and daughter felt the love she had for them right up to the very end.
(Mom with my brother and me)
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Today marks the 6th anniversary of my mama's passing....

Not a day goes by that I don't think about her.  

Was she perfect?

No.

She made her mistakes, like we all do, as mothers. 

But she was perfect for me and my brother.

And she was the perfect grandmother to my daughter, who only got to enjoy her a short time. 

My world is not the same without her. 

Six years later, I still want to pick up the phone when my children do something that I know she would get a kick out of....or when I am lonely...or sad...or just want to talk.

I am sure that will never change.

I am smiling today, though, remembering those fun times I had with my mama. I had 29 short years with her. She was only mine to borrow for a little while. 

Now, she's my guardian angel, watching over me every day of my life.

And I hope...oh, how I hope....that I have made her proud. 

Because, like her, all I want to do is make my children happy.

She sure did.


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1945-2005

8 comments:

Judy said...

Your mama was so beautiful. Such a touching and wonderful tribute to a special lady.

I'm sure she is with you in spirit every day.

Judy

Unknown said...

Such a great tribute to someone who seemed to be lovely.

Morgan said...

This is so sweet. It brought tears to my eyes. My father and grandmother both passed away from cancer and it is definitely heart-wrenching to lose someone you so deeply love. But the memories you keep are so special and comforting. =]

Love those pics of your mom. She always looks so happy with that big smile!

gwen of s.c. said...

Oh my! What a beautiful tribute to my favorite cousin and friend. I'm sobbing. Thanks so much Paige, you are such a wonderful and talented daughter. I'm sure your Mama is very proud. Love, Gwen

emily said...

What a sweet and touching post.

ellieshine said...

I'm so sorry about your mom :( She really was a beauty and you look so much like her! I lost my dad in 2003 - and it stinks every day. I'm comforted to think he has a front row seat to our lives - and I can't wait to see him again!

Lovely photos - you are so blessed to have the memories of her love and beautiful smile!

xo ellie

Sheryl said...

You were blessed as I was with a wonderful mom. Your tribute to your mom was so dear. April 7th will be 8 years since my mother passed suddenly in her sleep. I too have reached for the phone wanting a quick chat. May we both know in our hearts that they are so proud of us.

tonya said...

That was beautiful, and I'm so sorry for your loss. Cancer took my father at the age of 59 in December 2007. It has changed who I am, and I miss him every day. I don't even know how I found your blog, but it makes me smile and takes me back to MY childhood when I was the Army brat and we anxiously awaited Dad's next homecoming. God bless you all.