Lucky Dorito

This *Mom-story* is submitted by Vonnie, a long-time blog reader and commenter - who does not have a blog of her own (yet!). Please feel free to leave her lots of *bloglove* in the comments section here for her to come read. I, for one, know how hard this was for her to write …. and I want to be the first to tell her that I am honored she decided to write such a wonderful tribute to her mother. It is another perfect example of how valuable “moms” are, even on the days we get irritated and cranky and feel like no one in the house even notices us… we, as mothers, have the ability to leave a lasting impact on the lives of our children… for generations to come. What a valuable role we have! Thank you Vonnie for this story - and for the reminder to cherish what is important to us!

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I am attempting to write my story about my Mom. This is difficult and I am not sure that it is worthy of putting out there for the world to see. She was so much to me. I am crying as I write this. Is there anyone who means as much as our mothers do?

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I am the oldest of 4 children, 2 girls and 2 boys. Mom taught us many things-
-Finish what you started
-If you can’t say something nice don’t say anything at all
-Lying got dish soap in your mouth
-Church was every Sunday no matter what
-Treat others the way you want to be treated (We lived along a major hiway in a rural area, many times strangers, hitchhikers, would ask to sleep in our barn. Mom would offer them food if they were still there in the morning)
-Don’t be wasteful
-As the oldest I was told to set an example

Many times we were reminded how little money we had but somehow there was always enough for a birthday party, holidays were made special and we got to take vacations near home at times.

Teenage years were rough; I gave her lots of grey hair. We fought, we cried, we forgave each other.

I came to my parents at 17 – scared, broken, ashamed, and pregnant. Mom cried uncontrollably, Dad decided to “fix” things and grabbed the paper to find my boyfriend a job, a trailer house to live in and declared we’d marry before we graduated. More battles. Later on momma pulled me into the rocking chair with her and just rocked her baby.

The first few years of our marriage we lived on my in-laws farm in that trailer house my dad bought. Mom was just a phone call and 5 miles away. The first grandson was born and the second less than 12 months later. She became my best friend. Daily phone calls got me through those busy days.

As more grandchildren came into her life she cherished each one and the time with them. Mom had sleepovers, enjoyed baking with and for the grandkids, loved taking them to the local restaurant and park. As she loaded the kids in the car one of her favorite sayings was “We’re off like a herd of turtles!”

Mom had a quadruple bypass surgery in April 2000- we all gathered at her bedside. My brother teased her and she stuck out her tongue past the tubes running down her throat, we knew she’d be ok. The next couple of months found her diabetes going rampade and her going into diabetic shock each evening. Test were run, diagnosis given as terminal cancer, take her home they said. I drove her and dad the 2 ½ hours home, she held my hand. We kids took turns during the day and the family camped out at night at our childhood home. It was the best of times and the worst of times. I was privileged to get to tell my mom how much she meant to me and she shared her love and feelings too. She died 19 days from her diagnosis at the age of 57 surrounded by love and family.

Time changes, life goes on painfully reminding you of what is gone. Holidays are not the same. I promised Mom that we would all still get together but family pulls away to form their own traditions. Life in that respect is really hard. I lost my momma, my best friend, my kid’s last grandmother. I look forward to the reunion in heaven and try to pass on what she’s taught me. Love fiercely, pray continually, and finish what you’ve started… I’m trying.

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