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
❤ to you during this time, J. Love you.
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Thank you, kiddo. ❤ Love you too.
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A wonderful and beautifully written tribute to your mother. My thoughts are with you, Jackie.
–Michael
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Thank you, Michael. I appreciate it.
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I’m so sorry for your loss. Beautiful tribute Jackie – thinking of you and your family xx
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Thank you, Suzie. Really appreciate your kind words.
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Beautiful. ❤
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Thank you my friend. ❤
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…magnificent and honest tribute, the best kind, m’Lady, Jackie… with you too, also in spirit
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Thank you, my friend Seumas. xx
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Sorry for your loss, Jackie. It’s a beautiful tribute
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Thank you so much, Holly.
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Hugs, Jackie xxxx
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Thank you, Dianne. xxx
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So sorry about your Mom. Beautiful tribute. Big hugs to you xox
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Thank you Vanessa. xxx
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What a beautiful tribute Jackie, brings me to tears as I too know the pain of losing a mother. Its going to be a tough day for you but I know you are a strong woman and you hold those lasting memories close to you today. My thoughts are with you at this time….((HUGS))
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Thank you, Michael. Sometimes it’s hard to be srong. hugs.
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Its normal to grieve and to let the tears flow…..I know grief is a real roller coaster of a ride….somehow we get through it, we find ways in which we cope and deal with it, like in my case writing about it…..take care of you..
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That’s one of the problems. I haven’t cried….not really. My eyes fill up and then I fight them back. I’m afraid if I start crying I won’t stop. Not healthy I know and as my health tells me, yet here I am. Grieving without the outlet of tears. Afraid of breaking down and not being able to get back up.
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This is a wonderful tribute to your Mom, Jackie! I am so happy that you found each other again in her later years. My thoughts are with you and I am sending you comfort and love ❤
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Thank you my friend. I’m happy too that we managed to become friends. ❤
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This is really lovely, Jackie. Hugs to you, dear. ♥ I’ll be in touch soon.
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Thank you, Maddie. Will look forward to hearing from you. ❤
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❤ Big hugs to you!
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Thank you, Nerdy. ❤
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Heartfelt condolences to you and your family.
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Thank you, Martin.
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I started to read this on my laptop this morning but a friend was coming by with her little one. So my kid ran the vacuum until it died. So when my friend canceled, I tried to read it again. Then my laptop died. Toast! So here I am finally and you could have written this about my mom. They must have been twins. I know mine has been gone since 2001 and I miss that ornery stinker every day . They lead giant hole you don’t know what to do with . Mine only made it almost 75 years but so happy we were friends at the end . Tears will come later , when you least expect them . That was a beautiful poem and wish I could have written something so beautiful for my cantankerous mom. You did good . Giant squishy hugs.
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Thank you, Marlene. Sorry about your laptop. They don’t seem to last very long. My mom was….cantankerous is a good word. She could also be funny as hell, wise, opinionated and kind and generous. And yes, she left a giant hole I don’t know what to do with. You said it very well, my friend. Giant squishy hugs back. ❤
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Jackie, you made me cry, what a lovely tribute to your mother. Honest yet sweet I hope writing this helped you with your loss.
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I did help a bit, Lois. Thank you.
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❤
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❤
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