Dear Mom,
Man a lot has happened in the 3 years you have been gone. -Can we just take a moment to digest that? Three years. In some ways I can't believe it's been three years, where has the time gone? But for the most part I feel like it has been FOREVER since I have talked to you or seen your smiling face.- Anyways, you'd be happy to know that I've started making good on my promise to give you lots of grandkids (though how many is a lot I'm not sure, after this one I'm thinking two will be a lot! How did you manage 5?) His name is Desmond -Des, Desi, Miles of Smiles as Dad calls him- and he is the most precious little boy. It's funny how I often times find myself behaving like you already. I call him Shuga Pum (sugar plum) just like you use to say, and you should see how his eyes light up when I dance and sing just like you, oh yes JUST like you, silly facial expression and all. Being a mom has brought back so many awesome memories from my childhood; walking to the library with you, reading books and sitting on your lap. You taught me so much. Remember that time when I was in first grade and you discovered that I still didn't know the months of the year? You were flabbergasted. I think that was the only time in my life that you bribed me to learn something. I'll never forget going to Dairy queen and getting an ice cream cone...after getting my very first beanie baby (remember when we stood in line at McDonalds for what seemed like forever just to get the mini beanie babies?) All of that just for learning the months! Maybe that's why you never did it again ;) I think I enjoyed the little outing more than the things I earned, though.
We went on a lot of outings together before Nathan showed up (Boys mess up everything.) I remember going grocery shopping with you and going to the Quilt Corner. You once let me pick out a button from the trunk they had. I still have it somewhere (probably in that mason jar full of buttons in the hutch at home.) We would go on walks down to the post office or the grocery store on the corner and occasionally just around town on warm days. I've always felt like I had the best childhood. I can't wait to do all of these things with my kids. You were an amazing example of a Godly mother. Something that has always stuck with me is how you would pray with us whenever we saw a car accident while driving or when you were thankful for God's protection or a good parking spot at the grocery store (I've carried on that tradition, what with all the snow this year ;) ) I can't imagine what sort of a mother I would be if I hadn't had such an amazing roll model.
I'm glad we had those last two years of your life. Especially the summer/early fall of 2009. I'll never forget watching the O.C. with you or how much you loved the Cooking Network. To others we were so boring for watching so much T.V. (Even though you couldn't do much else) but we had so much fun talking and laughing while doing so. Sure there were days we got pretty bored but we made it fun (remember when you kept breaking out into the Rhianna song "Disturbia"? You didn't know any of the the words except "Disturbiaaaaaaaaaaaaaa" You did that for a good 5 minutes.)
I'm so glad you got a second wind for a while there. You helped me out a lot while I was at cosmetology school, getting your haircut, and nails done. I need to find the picture of when you let me do a roller set and comb out on you! You were stylin fo sho (as Dad would say.) And of course you were there for my wedding and so amazing. God was so good to us to allow such sweet memories and huge milestones!
Hospital visits, doctors appointments. I know they were hard on you but they were extra minutes that we got to share with one another. I'll never forget you dramatically grabbing onto the door or dashboard of my car when I drove you places. I was not THAT bad of a driver! I was so blessed to not have a job when I first got married so I could spend more time with you. Even when you were tired you would take me grocery shopping to show me the best deals and the best cuts of meat (Jason thanks you ;) ) We had a lot of fun.
I can't believe you are gone and that you are missing such a stressful, wonderful, and important time in my life. You would have been the first person I would call when I needed advice or a day away from home. I would have been at your house nearly every day just to hang out and talk, or at the very least I would have been on the phone. But don't worry, you trained up some awesome daughters who have been there for me and have been a huge help! And Dad's not so bad at advice and being a good listening ear :) He's not driving me nuts anymore now that I've moved out. You were right (like always ;)) he and I have become pretty good friends.
We all miss you terribly and can't wait to see you again! Praise God for your salvation! Your life and death have been such an amazing testimony to all. I pray I can do you justice in the years to come.
I love you Mom!
Love, Abbey
No comments:
Post a Comment