There are anniversaries which seem to be milestones, five years, ten years, always it seems in the multiples of five. Today is one of those...can it be ten years since the passing of my Mom? Even more hard to believe this past Monday, the 16th, twenty-six years of Dad's death. It will be safe to say that a day does not pass that I do not think about them, on those days I feel most a lone or of great happiness, my thoughts turn to them and I think about all the times we shared together.
Much has happened in the past ten years, their family has grown. Each time I see a photo of the newest great grandchild I think how much Mom would enjoy them, talk to them in her own special way she would always talk to newborns, how they would feel of her love.
In the musical Rent, one number asks how do you measure a life of a person, the answer how they loved. I know my parents were not perfect, yet I know that their love for me and my brothers is true. If there is one thing I would want to pass on to future generations is that they loved their family each daughter-in-law, each grandchild found a place in their hearts.
Mom, was a unique woman, in fact looking over her life she was, for a lack of a better word, a rebel. At a time when the Mothers were to stay at home and the wife was to be under the husband, and long before the feminist movement of the sixties and seventies, Mom was already being an independent woman. Working outside the home, a leader in the community. There was nothing Mom could not do, once she set her mind to it. Be it a first rate Nurse with little training to being a savvy business woman without an MBA. Her abilities and and talents were limitless, from cooking to sewing to crafts and painting, singing and acting.
I always saw my Dad and Mom as equals, each used there own strengths to build a home, Dad the provider and peacemaker, Mom keeping order of the household, financially as well as the day to day activities. Mom was a 'go getter', Dad was easy going. While Mom personality could over shadow Dad's, from time to time, she would let me know that Dad was the Priesthood holder of the home, even though she could get Dad on board with any thing she deemed the family should do, even when Dad was not 100% with it.
When Dad disapproved what we we did, he would make a comment, like I don't understand you kids, why you can't do it right. Mom on the other hand would 'preach' to us pointing out the reasons for not behaving like we did then would end "We taught you better than that"! Making me to take responsible for my actions.
Like most couples they had their ups and downs, however I knew Dad always loved my Mom, and she him. In those final years, Mom's simple touch to his hand would stop Dad's trembling.
Dad wrote of Mom: "The appreciation I have for her is above words can say. Her talents are more numerous than one could count. Her faith in prayers is her deciding factor, here on earth. She can heal the most painful wound, her knowledge of advice is tremendous, and in time of discouragement, she can erase it from one's mind. I know because I have been there. In speaking of my wife Glen Dora, I never speak of her by her given name, I address her as my loving wife, Sweetheart, Honey or my Dear Wife. The reason for this - she is more to me than Glen Dora."
I pause today to think about my parents, I still long for the day when we shall meet again, I miss them more than ever. Even to hear Mom tell me to turn my life around would be a treat, because I would hear her voice and even through the wall build between us I would still feel her love. To see Dad's smile, feel his arms around me, are just a memory away.
I pause today to give thanks for parents who loved me. I Love Mom and Dad.
Mom, was a unique woman, in fact looking over her life she was, for a lack of a better word, a rebel. At a time when the Mothers were to stay at home and the wife was to be under the husband, and long before the feminist movement of the sixties and seventies, Mom was already being an independent woman. Working outside the home, a leader in the community. There was nothing Mom could not do, once she set her mind to it. Be it a first rate Nurse with little training to being a savvy business woman without an MBA. Her abilities and and talents were limitless, from cooking to sewing to crafts and painting, singing and acting.
I always saw my Dad and Mom as equals, each used there own strengths to build a home, Dad the provider and peacemaker, Mom keeping order of the household, financially as well as the day to day activities. Mom was a 'go getter', Dad was easy going. While Mom personality could over shadow Dad's, from time to time, she would let me know that Dad was the Priesthood holder of the home, even though she could get Dad on board with any thing she deemed the family should do, even when Dad was not 100% with it.
When Dad disapproved what we we did, he would make a comment, like I don't understand you kids, why you can't do it right. Mom on the other hand would 'preach' to us pointing out the reasons for not behaving like we did then would end "We taught you better than that"! Making me to take responsible for my actions.
Like most couples they had their ups and downs, however I knew Dad always loved my Mom, and she him. In those final years, Mom's simple touch to his hand would stop Dad's trembling.
Dad wrote of Mom: "The appreciation I have for her is above words can say. Her talents are more numerous than one could count. Her faith in prayers is her deciding factor, here on earth. She can heal the most painful wound, her knowledge of advice is tremendous, and in time of discouragement, she can erase it from one's mind. I know because I have been there. In speaking of my wife Glen Dora, I never speak of her by her given name, I address her as my loving wife, Sweetheart, Honey or my Dear Wife. The reason for this - she is more to me than Glen Dora."
I pause today to think about my parents, I still long for the day when we shall meet again, I miss them more than ever. Even to hear Mom tell me to turn my life around would be a treat, because I would hear her voice and even through the wall build between us I would still feel her love. To see Dad's smile, feel his arms around me, are just a memory away.
I pause today to give thanks for parents who loved me. I Love Mom and Dad.
"Who can say for certain? Maybe you're still here. I Feel you all around me, your memory so clear. I cherish all you gave me everyday...Forever loved, watching me from up above. And i believe that angles breathe, and that love will live on an never leave."
