Sunday, September 1, 2019

Goodbye, Mom

I was a young mother with three children 6 and under.
My mom, the most scholarly and well read person I have ever known, asked me if I'd ever read "so and so" from the 13th century.
Umm no. I was lucky to have gotten through Mike Mulligan And The Steam Shovel for the 100th time.
There were a lot of ways that we were different but there were many ways we were the same.


Mom didn't like to shop but she had an amazing house filled with antiques.


Neither one of us liked to smile with our mouths open.


She hated having her picture taken. I did too for a long time.
She would hate this but these pictures are darling and they represent happier times.
Mom always looked like she had a secret to share. I usually do too.
It's so strange to know that she won't be reading this blog post.
My mom was the most faithful of readers.  She didn't say it often but I'd get a message every now again that she liked a post. It was comforting to know that she was catching up with what was going on around here.



Thanks, mom for not killing me when I spilled nail polish on your sofa.
I was right about the color, however. It was tan not rust like the showroom sample. Haha.


The Laura Ashley years. 

You didn't give birth to me but I have no doubt that you loved me.
In fact I already feel the loss of your brand of unconditional love.
Who will be praying for me and my family on Wednesdays from now on?




We loved each other.
I was a little girl that needed a mom. God allowed you to step into that role.
"Step" mom was a word that was never allowed to be uttered. It doesn't have to be a negative moniker, however.
You stepped in to care for me.
You stepped in to pray for me.
You stepped in to teach me how to cook.
You stepped in to encourage my passion for homemaking.
You stepped in to encourage me to be a life long learner.
You stepped in to remind me to always write a thank you note.
There are so many more ways that you stepped up to the plate and stepped into the role of mother.
Thank you.
When I was very young, long before you married my dad, you called me Cinderella.
It must have been some sort of foreshadowing.
For now, goodbye. We'll see each other again.
Tell the rest of the family that I love them.

That is it for now.
Katie 

9 comments :

  1. Katie,
    I am so very sorry for your loss...What a wonderful tribute to this lovely lady who chose to be your mom when she married your Dad...Sending prayers for you and your family..
    Hugs,
    Debbie

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  2. I am so very, very sorry....the Heavens have welcomed a new Angel...

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  3. This is a beautiful tribute to your sweet mom. Step mom's get such a bad wrap but they are special moms even if they did not give birth to us. They love us and care for us and give us life to gently mold as we grow. Your mom was a beautiful mom and now she is in heaven and will still watch out for you. Beautiful post Katie. Hugs and prayers as you move through your loss.
    xoxo
    Kris

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  4. Your mom sounds like an amazing woman who stepped in to your life just as you needed her. Thank you for sharing. Blessings to you. Chy

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  5. What a beautiful post, Katie. My heart goes out to you in this time of loss. It's not easy to let go of our mom! Thanks for sharing this. It touched my heart!

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  6. Oh Katie, I'm so sorry you have to experience this loss because your mother sounds just incredible. A most wonderful human being who stepped up to the plate and nothing else mattered - you were her girl, she was your mom. And isn't that what it's all about? I know how terribly you will feel this loss for days, weeks, months and years to come and I send you hugs across the cyber space; hugs that will never replace hers but perhaps help give you the energy and strength in the days ahead.

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  7. Katie, I am so sorry for your loss. It is so hard to lose our moms. They are so important in the shaping of our lives and especially step-moms because they give something extra it seems. It is a loss that we can learn to live with as life goes on but it is never easy. I do have to laugh, though, as she sits on the couch with that ever present cigarette. I know, because that was my mom too and as much as I hate to admit it, me, some years ago..Take care..Judy

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  8. oh Katie, I'm so very sorry. what a lovely post about a lovely woman. thankyou for sharing her with us, I DO love those old photos!

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  9. Oh Katie, I am so very sorry about the loss of your beloved mom. I am writing this with tears streaming down my face. What an absolutely loving tribute you wrote to honor her. Writing about how she "stepped in" in all the ways that she cared and loved you, just touched my heart. My prayers are with you and your family. God bless you.

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