As many of you know, my mom passed away last Wednesday. Later today is her funeral. There will be a viewing from 4 -7 pm in Wabeno, Wisconsin with a service afterward. After that, she will be cremated and her ashes scattered close to where my dad’s ashes were scattered years before.
I won’t be there in physical form, as I live in Canada now, but I most certainly will be there in spirit. I’m sure, if she can, mom knows my heart is with her. I’m also sure her services will be lovely.
Since I can’t be there to pay my respects, I thought I would dedicate this post to her. It’s not really a poem, more like free-falling thoughts.
This one’s for you, Mom. I love and miss you.
Mom
I won’t pretend that you were an angel
Now that you’re gone
You would have hated that description
I won’t pretend that you were perfect,
As we both knew you weren’t
You were happy just being you in all your
imperfections
You had a fast temper and your brown eyes would snap
with fire as you told whoever displeased you to…
“knock it off!”
You could hold a grudge better than anyone I ever knew
You didn’t give an inch, as I know all too well
personally
If you thought someone had done you wrong
there was no forgiving
You could be stubborn to a fault
But I had to admire your convictions
that utter belief in one’s self
You and I had a tumultuous relationship
all of my life
Yet I never stopped respecting you
and wanting your approval
Never thought of not loving you
As my mom
You were the strongest woman I know
You taught me to be strong
I’m grateful for that
I just wish you could have taught me
how to deal with the pain of losing you
You lived a long life of eighty-six years
I know not all of those years were good
You had to go through some tough times
Some painful experiences
In the end, though there were lots of good years
good memories, great loves
In the last few years
I believe we came to a silent agreement
to love and respect each other
despite our differences
Maybe I’m more like you than I realized
I do hope so
Wherever you are
I know you are with Dad again
and that makes the parting
a little easier to handle
Take his hand, Mom, as you did in life
and be content with the life you left behind
You will always be loved
