Thursday, January 19, 2012

Remembering


Remembering Mother  
 January 19, 1918 - July 15, 1977

 

Mother married my dad at the age of 19.  She never worked away from home, but was a farm wife until they retired and sold the farm.  Mother was an excellent cook, for she had plenty of practice preparing 3 meals a day 7 days a week.  Dad often had someone helping him with farming until my brothers were old enough to help, so she often fed extra people.  She also was an excellent seamstress and made a lot of my clothes as well as many of her own.  She made the coat she is wearing in the first photo above.  In the second photo is my mother, dad and her sister.  The third photo shows Mother in the kitchen at the farm and the last photo is a four generation photo of my grandmother, mother, yours truly and my daughter. 


Another four generation photo on the left, I am on the far left.  The middle photo is my mother and her 3 children, my older brother on the left and younger brother on the right.  The third photo is my mother examining a new purse that she got for Christmas.  My aunt, her sister, is looking on.

There are many stories I could tell about my mother.  She was a good person who rarely ever said an unkind word about anyone.  I'm not so sure she loved living on the farm, but I do know she loved her children.  This is a hard story to write, even after all these years, because my mother died at the age of 59 of Lou Gehrig's disease or ALS.  I was 31 years old and had a 5 year old daughter and a 2 week old son at her passing.  She loved her granddaughter to pieces and lived long enough to be able to hold her grandson.  She would have loved him, too, and I know she would have attended all of his ball games as she loved sports.  

Mother also loved Christmas and delighted in surprising us kids with the tree all decorated and the lights on when we got off the school bus and walked up the lane.  She always had a big Christmas dinner on Christmas eve.  My grandmother would have the Thanksgiving dinner at her house.  I always looked forward to both these holidays because we were with all of our family including my grandmother, aunt, uncle and cousin. 

Many of you already know this, but for my new readers I will mention that I also lost both of my brothers to this same horrible disease.  They both passed away before they turned 50.    

Life goes on and I had my children to raise and love.  I missed my mother so much over the years and, of course, my brothers.  I take comfort in knowing that I will see them again some day.  My dad passed away nearly 8 years ago, so the only family I have left besides my hubby and children is my aunt who has been a wonderful friend to me.  My aunt is 8 years younger than my mother and has a lot of stories to share about their childhood.  One of the stories my dad used to tell was when he was dating my mother he often picked her up on horseback.  They went to barn dances where I've heard they were both quite the dancers.  I know my mother loved music and always had the radio on or would often sit down at the piano and play and sing.  

There is so much more that I could tell about Mother.  But, I better stop now and save some stories for another time.  For those of you who still have your mother, give her a big hug when her birthday comes around and let her know how much you love her.  Or better yet, don't wait for that special day...let her know now.  

Until next time...

38 comments:

  1. Cheryl,I choked up on this one!
    My sweet Mother's birthday is January 21.

    This was a lovely tribute to your Mom. I wish you could have enjoyed her much longer.

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  2. awww ... wow, that was just a lovely tribute to your mommy. it is so tough. i was born in '78. i'm sure you think on her often. what i think is really great that you recall her & remember those moments. i think on my family members i have lost. if you think of them often ... you will never forget. the one thing i wish i could remember is how they spoke to me. (:

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  3. Sending you a hug today, Cheryl. Your mother sounds much like mine. Our moms are with us forever. Enjoy your memories of her today, and thanks for sharing some of them with us.

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  4. Morning tears is what I have right now. There's nothing like a good mom. She is imprinted on the hearts those she touches.

    Great memories.

    T

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  5. Cheryl, this is an absolutely beautiful tribute to your Mom. Touched the bottom of my heart. I know she is smiling knowing how you have remembered her on her birthday; since there are 'no tears in heaven' I'm shedding her tears of joy and appreciation for being so loved. I am so sorry that you had to lose her and your brothers so soon in life. blessings and hugs ~ tanna

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  6. Cheryl, a lovely post about your Mother. The pictures are so fun to see. What a beautiful smile! I enjoyed reading your memories and I wish she had been around so much longer to have made more memories with you, your family and her Grandchildren. A date on horseback! Hugs to you today. I can tell your heart is full of thoughts of her today, I was feeling that way so much at Christmas. I have to smile at the pictures of her with big purses, my Mom loved purses(and shoes)and she loved them big! She said they had to be big to carry around all the stuff I always insisted taking with me.

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  7. this is a beautiful tribute to your mom, and most of what you wrote applies to my mother. she was almost identical to yours, sweet and kind and gentle, married on her 18th birthday, died at age 63. thanks for sharing your memories with us, and your memories stirred mine. I also lost my dad 5 years ago, now there is no one left but my brother and myself and our family.

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  8. Well that is one of the most moving stories Cheryl. I am so thankful number one that you had such a great mother and that you loved her so much. She had such a kind an gentle spirit. I liked seeing the old pictures and learning more about what makes you - you.

    Of course I am very, very, sorry about her having Lou Gerig's disease and your brothers.

    What a horrible disease for such a beautiful lady.

    The only good thing is she in in peace right now.

    Love, sandie

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  9. You have such lovely memories of your mother. She was very special!

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  10. Cheryl, what a sweet, poignant post today. You lost your mother and brothers far too soon. Thank you for sharing this tribute with your readers. Your mother sounds like a dear and precious lady and I have a new respect for a dear friend in Blogdom...you!

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  11. A BIG hug to you, Mom! This was a beautiful post about Grandma. I love you! Kim

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  12. What a beautiful tribute to your Mom, Cheryl. I too miss my Mother... so much.

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  13. oh, sweet cheryl. i am so sorry for your losses. thank you for sharing your mother with us (and yes, for mentioning your brothers, too.) such sorrows to endure with losses so young... God bless you and your kids with many memories together.

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  14. It is wonderful that you have sweet memories of your mother. I lost my mom several years ago, and I still miss her and her wise counsel. I'm glad that you were able to share the essence of your mother.
    Hugs

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  15. Such a sweet rememberance. She had such a lovely smile. I am so sorry you lost her so young to such an unforgiving disease.
    Would love to hear more stories.

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  16. I did not know this about your mom and your family. I am so very sorry, Cheryl. You have posted a wonderful tribute to her, and I will long remember her smiling face, she looks like she would have been so much fun to be around. My mom died just a few years ago, she was also a good seamstress, like your mom.

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  17. This is a beautiful tribute to a well loved mother. She was blessed to have a daughter like you.

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  18. Oh Cheryl, it really doesn't ever get easier, does it... Your mother died so young of such a terrible disease. This was a wonderful tribute to her and shows just what a wonderful lady she was. She was very lucky to have you as a daughter and I'm certain is smiling down on you right now.

    Deanna

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  19. A wonderful tribute to your beloved Mom. What special memories that you have, hold on to those. (o:

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  20. Cheryl, I know this couldn't have been easy for you to share, but I'm so glad you did. Your mother had such a pretty smile and just looks so happy. I wasn't aware of your losses. While reading this tribute to your mother I had so many different emotions running through me. I have tears from feeling your love and respect for your mother, all the beautiful family memories, and for your loss of three loved ones. What a toll this must of taken on you. Wish I could give you a hug.
    Marie

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  21. Cheryl,

    I found you through Lois (Walking on Sunshine) and just wanted to say that was a sweet tribute to your mother. I feel like I know her from reading what you wrote and have tears in my eyes!

    Have a great evening,
    Tammy

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  22. Though she has been gone for half a lifetime, you remember her with the clarity of a bright and cloudless summer day. Very touching.

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  23. what a sweet tribute to your mom cheryl, she had a beautiful smile. you are so lucky to have such pretty pictures of her, along with all your wonderful memories.

    i hugged my mom several times today and i know now more then ever, just how lucky i am to have her!!

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  24. Hi Cheryl, I loved reading about your mother even though it was sad to hear that she died so young --and from ALS. That is such a horrible disease... I'm sure it was hard for you.

    My Mom was a 'house-wife' all of her life also, was a good cook, great seamstress, and was a very good person... BUT--my Mom lived until she was 91...

    I love reading about your family... Thanks!
    Hugs,
    Betsy

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  25. That was so beautiful! I have tears in my eyes thinking of your loss at such an early age! The pictures and the stories of the barn dancing were wonderful. I hope you're having a nice weekend! Enjoy your memories!

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  26. Oh, Cheryl--I was already in a sentimental mood...this is just wonderful...sounds like you had a wonderful mom.

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  27. What a beautiful story about your mom.I am so sorry to hear that you lost them at such a young age.
    Great photos that you have put on here also.
    I really enjoyed looking at the old barns also.
    Have a wonderful weekend.
    Hugs

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  28. Your lovely post about your Mother touched my heart, Cheryl. Thank you for sharing.

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  29. Your mother sounds like she was a wonderful person. You have some special memories of her. Your life has been touched by some very sad losses. ALS is a thief that steals too many lives.
    PS Thanks for the comment on my blog. I have reset comment placement to see if it helps. I hear others are having problems - it may be related to the browser. Using Google chrome sometimes solves it.

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  30. My mom has been gone for almost four years, and oh, how I miss her still... you did not have yours long enough on this earth, but you'll see her again.

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  31. What a beautiful tribute and wonderful memories you have shared Cheryl! You r Mom gave you a beautiful heritage, thank you for sharing.
    Hugs,
    Sue

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  32. Wonderful pictures and memories! Sorry she and your brothers were taken at young ages. My mother was a good cook and seamstress too. Thanks for sharing.

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  33. Cheryl,
    Your post is such a touching and loving tribute to your dear mother. I can tell she was a very special lady. Thank goodness for your photos that recall the happy times you spent together.
    I did not know about your brothers, Cheryl. My heart goes out to you.

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  34. Aww Cheryl, it is so hard to lose those we love. Especially your Mother, Father and brothers. You mentioned that you take comfort in knowing you will see them again someday. I know you will! They are all together, knowing someday they will see you again also. Hugs to you dear friend! Peace and comfort also.

    Susan

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  35. What a sweet tribute and how sad that it took your mother and both your brothers. I can't imagine how hard that must be and it makes me pray I never take my big family for granted.

    It is such a blessing to know you will see them again. I feel the same about my daddy who died in 1996 very suddenly.

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  36. Oh my, too much loss to that terrible disease. I am so sorry. But am glad that you and your aunt remain close and support one another. Your family lives in your memories.

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  37. Wonderful advice.. and the sweetest of stories. Made me teary too! What a precious mother, and I enjoyed reading about her. Hugs, Tammy

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  38. Cheryl
    I loved hearing some of the story of your Mother's life. She sounds like a beautiful person. You must miss her horribly.
    I didn't know all the pain you've suffered with your family and can only say I'm sorry. I'm sure it makes you appreciate the times you have with your own family and your special Aunt. It's so good you have her still to share the stories of your Mom's upbringing and like.
    Thanks for sharing!

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