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Sunday, May 11, 2008

Tribute to my mother

First of all, Happy Mother's Day to all of you out there in blogland! Cielo from The House in the Roses shared this pretty picture with all who wanted it. You can find her awesome blog here http://www.houseinroses.blogspot.com/

This weekend brings a lot of mixed feelings. My mother has been gone now for almost 27 years. She passed away unexpectedly at the age of 53 of a massive heart attack. She would be 81 if she were still alive! Today would also have marked my parents' 52nd wedding anniversary as well, and my father would be turning 86 this coming Tuesday. We lost him in 2003. I don't know how old my mother was in the picture below, but I think she is so beautiful here. It's the only picture where I think I look at like her, but the older I get, the more I see her face smiling back at me in the mirror!


My mother was a truly remarkable woman! She was the 13th child of 15 born to my biological grandparents. Her own mother passed away when my mother was only 8. Due to a traumatic event that directly affected my mother, the five youngest children were put into an orphange when she was just 9. She spent the next 4 years there before going into foster care with my grandparents who eventually adopted her. During her life, she endured abuse, loneliness, and poverty, but her spirit kept her going throughout it all. She was full of spunk and determination and earned a college education, first in social work, then in education.


Here she is reading to my youngest brother. Her first love was for her family, including myself and two younger brothers, and of course, our father. Her second love was teaching. She loved to read to us, and all of us could read before we went to school. I wasn't afraid to go to kindergarten because she was right across the hall teaching the other class! She later became an art teacher and though she was never trained in art, she used her creativity to come up with wonderful crafts and projects for her students. She had a special compassion for the students that others might have considered "unfortunate" and she always had encouraging words or a hug for them. She was much loved by all the students whose lives she touched.

This was the last picture of the family, taken summer of 1980. She passed away just one year later. My father never remarried. One thing that I have to say about my mother is that despite the horrific things that happened to her during her life, she never let that affect the way she mothered us. She raised us to be strong, independent individuals. I have her to thank for the woman that I am today.


This would not be complete without including my own family, my dear sweet daughter, and my two darling sons. I always wanted to be a mother, first and foremost above anything else, and I thank God for them. Without them I wouldn't get to hear Happy Mother's Day! I'm going to be able to spend time with all of them later today, and am so happy for that. If your mother is still alive, call her or spend some time with her today. She won't be around forever. You'll be glad you did!

16 comments:

Penny from Enjoying The Simple Things said...

Happy Mothers Day,
What a lovely tribute to you Mother..I lost my mother 3 years ago at the age of 83....
Hugs,
Penny

Nikki via The Scarlett Rose Garden said...

What a beautiful story!

Donna said...

That was just the most beautiful tribute... What an incredible woman your mom was...I'm so sorry you lost her at such a young age. Your family is beautiful - have a wonderful Mother's day!...Donna (An Enchanted Cottage)

Rhondi said...

That is such a lovely trinute to you mother.
Rhondi

BittersweetPunkin said...

What a lovely tribute to your Mom....you are a wonderful daughter. You really do resemble her...a LOT!!
I hope you had a Great Mother's Day and enjoyed your weekend!
Blessings,
Robin

Terrie's Lil' Piece of Serenity said...

Rhonda, I loved your tribute to your mother. I'm sorry you lost her at such a young age. I hope you enjoyed your weekend.
Terrie

(I don't know why. But, I don't see the pictures you posted of your mom. I'd really like to see them.)

Terrie's Lil' Piece of Serenity said...

Rhonda, The pictures finally came up. lol It took a really long time.
Your mom was beautiful! You do look a lot like her! Terrie

Rue said...

Hi Kady :)

You're beautiful just like your mama. I hope Mother's Day was wonderful for you!

rue :)

Picket said...

Hey sweetie...what a beautiful post and tribute....that was so touching..loved seeing your beautiful family and I hope you had a truly wonderful Mother's Day with them...have a great night friend!

Tracy said...

Thank you for sharing about your wonderful mother. She sounds like an amazing woman. And I bet you are following right in her footsteps! Happy Mother's Day to you!!

Donna Lynn said...

I am so happy you got to spend sometime with your beautiful children yesterday! I had a wonderful time with all my guys, I will post about it this week sometime...there wasn't any fighting or anything!
Your momma was a wonderful woman, bless her heart! You are so blessed to be able to have such a great mom to raise you, I know you have passed on what you learned to your own children...God is so good to heal our wounds, thank the Lord your mom could rise above the hurts!
XXOO, Donna Lynn

Tara said...

What a lovely way to say a tribute to your Mom, I am tearing up over my morning tea! Isn't it great when the human spirit rises above adversity, particularly when you are a kid with spunk, God had to be watching out for her! Lucky you to have had her!

:0)
Tara

Deb said...

Hi Kady, that was a loving tribute to your mother, and you have a beautiful family of your own. Thanks for sharing such a lovely person with us. Have a great day. Deb

CIELO said...

What a beautiful tribute to your mother.... hope your day was special... blessings to you and yours from our Father above....

Hugs

Cielo

Unknown said...

Oh What a wonderful tribute to your mother! And what a lovely family you have!
Hope you had a wonderfully special day!
Blessings...Lorena

joyh82 said...

Your Mom sounds like she was an amazing woman and one to truly be
pround of too.