Mom, I Am Listening...
by Joyce
The Petals of Rose
Mom was raised on a farm, and she worked hard all of her life. She has been a short order cook, waitress, nurse aide, nurse and even drove the Bekins truck with Jim; but her number one job was always being a mom.
The love between a mother and her daughters can not be explained - only experienced, and Linda and I have known and felt the love she had for us every day of our lives.
She always supported us in all that we did, from girl scouts, school plays, to dance and chorus. Oh, we got scolded, punished and even spanked when we deserved it, but the love was always there. She successfully raised two teenage girls in the height of the 60's.
She watched us as we curled our hair with pop cans and then turned around and ironed it straight with the iron and dyed and bleach it. She watched the hemlines of our skirts raise and lower with the fads. She smiled and laughed when the school counselor brought me home to change my too-short skirt on a couple of occasions.
She never held us down or told us that we were not capable of doing something, but always encouraged us to learn more and to do the best we could. She also made things fun for us. I remember trips to TJ, just the three of us, I don't know why we went but I just remember going there with Mom and Linda and it being a good memory. I have lots of good memories.
She was there at our weddings and when she could, at the births of our babies. Mom pretty much raised Linda and I on her own and through her love and support she taught us many many things. Through tears, laughter, hurt, heartache and happiness, she watched her daughters grow into wives, mothers and strong independent women, and did so with such pride. A job well done Mom, and you can now rest.
Mom's legacy of being a wonderful and loving mom, grandmother and great-grandmother will live on in all of us as her rose blossom continues to grow with each new child born. We are all proud, so very proud of being the Petals of Rose.
On Monday, after my mom passed away, I wrote these words to her and want to share them with you, so please indulge me as I share the love I feel for her.
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MOM, I AM LISTENING
You taught us to respect ourselves and others and to be accountable for our actions... like when the vacuum cleaner somehow went through the window...
I listened.
You taught us right from wrong and to always take heed of the voice inside us and for the most part...
I listened.
You taught us not to judge others, and not to call attention to one's handicap...
I listened.
You taught us that all of us are equal and that no one is better or less than another...
I listened.
You taught us to love and be proud of ourselves. It took me a while, but...
I listened.
When you drove over 5 hours so your dog could breed with mine, and when they were not interested, you told me to get busy and have my baby now so it wouldn't be a wasted trip...
I listened and delivered Kim 2 weeks early!
You were always there for me when I needed to talk or just a hug. You were the one who taught me to turn my worries and problems over to God...
and I listened.
You taught me so many things and I have a lifetime of memories that I learned...
just from listening.
After Thanksgiving dinner, as I was getting ready to leave, you placed your frail hands around my face and with all the love you have, you told me to stop worrying about you. I told you that I would never stop worrying, that I love you, but that if you need to go, it's okay and that I will be okay...
You listened.
At Christmas, I watched you as you labored with every breath that you took. Your body not wanting to move, I realized that you were ready to go, and I asked Jesus to bring you home while you were sleeping in your own bed...
He listened.
Mom, I love you and will miss you, but I know that you are in heaven with Grandma and Grandpa and free from your pain, with the loving arms of Jesus wrapped tightly around you. But if you ever want to talk...
I will be listening.
All my Love,
Joyce
