Mom and me. This picture was taken in October last year on her first and only birthday party EVER. We didn't know until the event was over. But it was a wonderful time for us to get together.
Mom left us to go home on April 21st. Oddest thing is my dad died on a Wednesday, and was buried on Saturday. Mom died on Wednesday and was buried on Saturday. Dad died after 47 years of marriage, mom died after it would of been 57 years of being Mrs. Ray Pope. Dad died at 65 mom died at 75. Dad was in Room 5 of ICU in his last hours, mom was in Room 6 at the same hospital during her last hours. All the family made it in before my dad passed. All the family made it in prior to my mom's passing.
She was such an awesome role model and friend. I tried to be with her somewhere every week, for a lunch, dinner, movie or just going over to visit. It meant a lot to me to have her as my best friend. I hear so often, and as a child hated it: "you look just like your mom". As I grew and matured, I took that as the best compliment ever. I only wish I had her personality. I think my sisters got it.
Mom and I shared a love of antiques, oil painting, gardening and many more things. She loved life and lived every moment to its fullest potential. She had so many, many friends. Something this daughter didn't realize how important it is. Although my husband is my best friend, I sometimes wish I had more girlfriends to do things with. Mom used to say, she knew things were okay when I would call and talk, when I didn't she knew things were not so good on my end. Talk about a mother's intuition!
She traveled with my brother, shopped with my sister, was a roomie with my other sister for a time. She was always there for us, and now I feel lost without her. I have even caught myself picking up the phone to call her.
From the past, I know this will ease in time, but right now the wounds are open and bleeding, like my heart. I know she is with my dad and still worring over us, but I know dad was there waiting for her. I have not known many people that loved each other as deeply as they loved each other and they passed that love on to us.
She had me play two songs for her at the funeral. Made me promise. One was from the soundtrack from Oh Brother, Where for Art Thou, #4 As I Went Down to the River to Pray, studying about the good ol days.... the other was Peter Gabriel's "I Grieve" because in the song, he talks about life going on and I know that is what she wants for us all.
I will treasure the moments I have with my family and friends, because you never know when you will be called home. And since, mom's passing, I am determined to bring my spirit to peace and bring it from the turmoil of the past. God was with me at the hospital when I brought her there for the last time and he held me up and made me strong to take care of her. God's love, like my mother's is and always will be unconditional.
10/05/1394 -- 04/21/2010 I love you mom. I don't know scripture well enough to even know a verse to bring comfort or understanding, but I will learn. And I will be a witness in my actions, that I am a Christian and maybe, just maybe, I can help someone else find the peace within.
