I lost my father as a teenager and that was so hard, but losing my mom has been unbearable. Most people will remember her laugh, it was so special and contagious but what I remember most is the smile that came with the laugh, and I like to think that is something I share with her. My mom was a strong woman who never let anyone get her down, but she also was the most kind, generous person I knew. If you needed anything sh would go out of her way to help you get it and even when things werent going well she always tried to do the right thing. My mom loved deeply and she loved us all. Her and I did not live near each other but we did not let that stop us from being close. We talked almost every morning on our ways to work and most evenings while we cooked (or in my case I ordered out or heated up). She was my confidont, my cookbook, my mentor, my friend, my role model, my shoulder to cry on, my MOTHER...my world and without her I feel like my world is falling apart.
When I was little she told me I could be or do anything I wanted, I just had to work hard enough and not let anything get in my way. She taught me to love learning and never give up on my dreams. When Jeff proposed I was 22 and I had no idea what my future would look like because I hadn't thought too far past college, the youth are nearsighted even when their vision is perfect. She told me, If you love him, marry him, NOTHING else matters (like money, ceremonies, dresses) and so I threw a bunch of what if's at her, what if we end up hating each other, and she said don't worry about that, that is what divorce is for. She was always practical and helped me put things into perspective but never put down any of my dreams or aspirations. I called her one day and said I think I want to buy a new Mustang Car and she said Go for it!, so I did, and even though it was expensive and impractical an I oly kept it for 18 months, I followed my heart and never regretted it. My mom taught me the importance of working hard and enjoying life, she taught me to put my family first and that experiences and the gift of your attention and time mean more than any empty present. She was always there for me to listen, talk, play, give advice, or just confide in.
Even though I feel like my world is falling in on me and i know she was taken too soon, and I want to scream about how unfair this is, and just crawl into bed and never come out. I won't. My mom taught me to be strong. I will not let my world crumble even though the center is gone because just as she was the center of my world I plan to be the center of my daughter, Eleanor's world and teach her all the things her MoMo taught me. My mom is gone but she will never be forgotten, her spirit and memory will live on in all of us. Please do not hesitate to talk about her or share your memories of her with me, I may cry but I want to remember her, Always.