I lost my Mom this week. She was 85, to be 86 on Feb 10th. She got a 2nd bout of pneumonia a couple of weeks ago, and was all ready to go home this past Wednesday, and she must have suffered an pulmonary embolism, and died in her sleep, just 2 hours after I talked to her for the last time. Here is a painting I did of her when she was probably only 3 or 4 years old. I gave it to her on Mother’s Day in 2005. I got my artistic touch from her as she loved art and did a little bit of it.
She was a busy Mom through her life, so she didn’t get to fully see where her creativity would take her, but she always encouraged me. She was my cheerleader, the person I would tell everything to, practically on a daily basis. I am not ready to let her go, but I must. I will be giving her eulogy this Tuesday evening as I try to say goodbye to her. I still remember her kiss on my cheek last fall when I was down to visit her for my birthday. I took a colored pencil class and I went over to her house to show her my drawings. I shared some of my colored pencils with her and encouraged her to draw again. Her COPD and emphysema though, took too much out of her, and she never did. So Tuesday, I go down to Milwaukee to pick up all the art work that I made for her that graced her walls and bring them back home. They will forever remind me of her love—she had one painting up on her wall since I did it back when I was 21! (I’m 57 now).
Thank you Mother for everything you ever gave to me…your strength, your vision, your love. I love you.
To everyone: Enjoy the loved ones in your life, every single day. You never know what tomorrow will bring. After moving away from my mother 12 years ago, I got into the habit of telling her that I loved her every single time I talked to her. Last Tuesday night, when I was talking to her, rejoicing that she was going home the next day, I ended our call, just like I always did, telling her that I loved her, she returned the same…and we hung up. She passed away less than 2 hours later. I was so glad that I began that little tradition…of telling people that I loved them. You never know.
Thank you to anyone that reads this…please go and hug your mother or your daughter or any loved one. They are here. Peace,
Nancy
