I can’t believe it’s been 12 years since we took this picture! I remember trying to fit everyone in the small living room of a home that represented so many memories to each of us. These are my siblings from my mom’s side. Even though as young kids we all lived the same circumstances of a dysfunctional home, the memories were different for each one. Fortunately, there was always one constant thing that did not change, my mother. We grew up learning from her actions how to be caring, forgiving, friendly, hard working, how to serve others, how to go the extra mile to help, how to do everything in excellence and to love unconditionally.
We were happy to be together but sad it was her funeral. Behind the smiles you see at first glance in this picture, there are feelings of disbelief and unfulfilled promises. Promises I made to her that I could no longer accomplish. Trips we didn’t take, visits we didn’t make, recipes we didn’t cook. Knowing her, these “unfulfilled promises” would have meant nothing to her in comparison to more important things she would want me to do. She’d want me to be an extension of her. She’d want me to reach out to people in need and not only talk about God’s love for them but show them in action what that means for them and somehow, even if in a small way, add value to their lives.
Why disbelieve? I thought she’d live forever! Okay, I hoped she’d live forever. I would have never suspected she’d died at 67 and so suddenly. Her prayer was always “Lord, when it’s your will to take me, let it be fast”. Within a few days of getting an aneurism, she took her last breath of life. Yes, she was highly favored and God answered even that prayer for her.
My mom was an amazing woman, deeply rooted and spiritually strong. A woman that persevered until she conquered unimaginable victories. Her faith still sustains me and fills me with the hope to know her prayers are still answered.
If you knew my mom, you were impacted by her and I’d give anything to hear from those that would take a moment to leave a phrase, a comment or a memory of her on this day in which I celebrate her life. For me, writing about her and sharing it with you is the best way I can thank her for all she meant to me. Norma
