Saturday, May 8, 2010

REMEMBERING MOM


I am feeling sadder than I thought I would today...this day before Mother's Day...the first one without my own Mom. It has been 10 months since she went to live with Jesus. Most of the time I feel settled about her being away from us, but today as I sit here and think about tomorrow, Mother's Day...I'm all undone. She was sick last year on Mother's Day, and Ian and I went to visit with her for a while in the afternoon. The picture of that day is on my sidebar. I don't think that today I can write in complete sentences and think about words flowing smoothly from one to another. I don't think I can write the words that will let you know what a dear, dear person she was. I do not have the words in me today. And, I think I have said it all before. So, as a reminder to myself and my sister, and my children, I am going to just make a list of things that she liked...and some people who were especially dear to her...and I know I will leave out some, and if I leave you out...please forgive me.

MOM LIKED:

Pop
jewelry...lots of jewelry
pretty clothes
new shoes
girdles
pantyhose
my shirts...the ones I designed
beets
sour gummy worms
china...she had several sets
beautiful serving pieces
a clean kitchen
to iron everything
to fix food for family
to sing
to do missions
to be silly
the 'moo cow moo'...poem she learned in elementary school
'shoe fly pie'...a song she loved to sing and dance to
her SS class
Bro Jerry
to change furniture around and to buy new
to entertain
plan, plan, plan!
use fabric underneath displays
be in charge
a fire in the fire place
planting flowers
peach rings
Black filled Christmas candy...creme drops, I think
to dress she, Joy, and me alike when we were little
Evelyne and Ed
Rudean and Frank
Katherine an Allison
Jerry and Rhonda
Dick and Lahoma
Jane and Wendall
June and Jerome
Bill and Pat
Neva
Shirley
Becky
Joyce
Elizabeth
Monty
Patty
Tina
Shirley
Pamela
Jeanette
Mabel
Janelle
Linnie
Eunice
Billy
mentoring younger women
her sisters and brother
fresh vegetables
hose to match her shoes
bag to match her shoes
Pillsbury Dough Boy
jokes
Dr.Pepper
growing tomatoes
my new house
surprises
Peeps
dressing Pop
making her poundcake for others
treating the church staff to special lunches
her prissy living room
to play the piano...but only at home
having extra outfits ready to go at a moments notice
buying gifts early and storing them
having a gift closet
traveling with groups around the world when she was young
traveling with Pop or Joy and I in the car in later years
my blog...she read every night before bed...
PFChang's
going to Graceville for shrimp (a tiny town nearby)
going to NC and putting up veggies...she even liked the shelling!!!
Mission Trips and the teams that travelled with her

SHE WAS :

very brave
kind
busy
caring
gentle
hard
tough
stubborn
opinionated
silly
conservative
so proud of her grandchildren
a mother to be proud of...and I am.

March 2009
March 2010...Maui

9 comments:

June Bug said...

To open your blog and see sweet Ella's smiling, beautiful face brought tears to my eyes. I know you miss her dearly on this first Mother's Day without her; she would say, "Tonja Lynn, it's okay to cry for me and release the hurt, but also rejoice with me and someday, we'll be back in each other's arms again. You and Joy are carrying on my traditions beautifully and I am honored with your memories. Happy Mother's Day to you, my darling daughters!"

Melissa said...

Oh Tonja, what a beautiful tribute to your mother! I know this is going to be a tough weekend for you, and I will be praying for you & your family! Tonight when I go to Graceville to eat shrimp with my husband's grandmother & family for Mother's Day, I will think of your mom!

RachelD said...

Lovely, Tonja.

I can wish her no better legacy than to live on in the loving memories of her family and friends.

nancygrayce said...

So precious! Brings tears to my eyes and sorrow mixed with joy.

Gram said...

What a wonderful tribute to your Mother. We were blessed to have such wonderful women as our Mothers. May you feel her love around you tomorrow.

Debby@Just Breathe said...

Tonja, this is a beautiful post filled with memories of your mother and her joy for life. I love the way you did this. I pray your day will be filled with her never ending love for you. ((HUGS))

Southern Lady said...

I've had you on my mind all weekend, Tonja. I knew it would be a sad one for you, but your sweet and loving tribute to your beautiful mom says it all. I know she is smiling down on you and Joy from Heaven, with a heart overflowing with pride and love for her girls.

Jill said...

Oh Tonja- I can only imagine how much you must be missing your sweet mom. Thinking of you and holding you close in my heart!

Justabeachkat said...

Such a sweet post about your sweet and beautiful Mom.

Hugs!
Kat