Sunday, May 12, 2013

Mom in 2013



A little over three years ago now, on March 21, 2010, my mom died. Even though I was in my fifties and had raised a son of my own, it was devastating at that moment to lose someone who had been my bulwark so many times in my life.  My mom and I had our moments, but I never doubted I was loved and appreciated. She had always been a hard worker, both as a mother and in her job outside, which was at a chicken processing plant, but after my father’s death when I was thirteen she redoubled her efforts. I never went hungry or without clean clothes. I always had a bed to come home to. I don’t know how she found the energy and discipline to keep it up year after year after year, especially since she was what we call a “worrier,” and often put herself under a lot of extra stress from worrying about things she didn’t need to worry about.

Although I am still saddened when I think that I cannot just call her on the phone, or go home and see her, I am happy for the wonderful person she was and that toward the end of her life she was able to take things a little easier, even if she didn’t often avail herself of those opportunities. I also look at the family she raised, and the families they have raised in turn, and I think she has an amazing legacy. She was a force of nature and we’re still living in the climate she created for us.

Mom, you’re still remembered and loved!

27 comments:

Issa's Untidy Hut said...

Charles:

A fine tribute - I'm sure she was very proud of you, too.

Don

Geraldine said...

A lovely tribute Charles. I am missing my mom even more than usual today. She left me for the other side, far too soon.

Hugs to you and congrats on your new book, G

Stopping in via Vesper's blog.

Prashant C. Trikannad said...

A fine tribute, indeed, Charles. It's so important to remember the sacrifices our parents make for us and learn some valuable lessons from them.

Adventuresfantastic said...

A very moving tribute, Charles. We need more people like her today.

Ty said...

I feel for you, Charles. I don't know what I'd do without my mother.

Snowbrush said...

I was 39 when mine died--of smoking. Her death was really hard on me, yet I became aware that the people (the men anyway) who suffer most are the men who lost their mothers when they were still children.

I'm glad you can rejoice in memories of your mother.

Charles Gramlich said...

Don, at times certainly. :)

Geraldine, thanks for stopping by. I appreciate it, and the kind words.

Prashant, yes. The work and love needs to be remembered.

Keith, her work ethic was unparalleled.

Ty, It was a pretty big gap for a while.


Snowbrush, I don't see how I could have made it before I was 40 or so without my mom

Sarah Hina said...

She lived an amazing life. You honor her love and sacrifice so well here, Charles.

Deka Black said...

Sorry yur mother is no more here :(

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

That is a wonderful tribute. She did it all because she loved you.

Charles Gramlich said...

Sarah, thank you.

Deka, still in our memories, though. We will always have that.

Alex, yes, I believe she did.

ivan said...

She'd certainly be proud of the writing. No worrying there!

sage said...

Nice tribute, Charles.

My mom's still "here" but doesn't know what day it is anymore or who I am or anyone else. I didn't have it in me to post about her this year--I did talk to my dad (she no longer even knows how to talk on the phone)... But she sure put up with a lot and never stopped loving us.

Cloudia said...

Charles, you are blessed. Thanks for introducing us to your treasure.

Aloha

eric1313 said...

To our mothers, forever.

No one will ever love us like our mothers, no matter how much they may in fact love us.

BernardL said...

Amen, my friend.

Riot Kitty said...

Sweet post - she sounds pretty incredible.

Charles Gramlich said...

Ivan, of some of it. But she didn't like that I wrote stories that had curse words in it.

Sage, very tough, man. I'm sorry to hear that. My mom was pretty bad in the last couple of months but it was because of strokes.

Cloudia, yes I am. And thank you.

eric1313, absolutely.

Bernard, indeed.

Riot kitty, she was a frontier woman I think. She had that kind of gumption.

laughingwolf said...

well said...

the walking man said...

After reading that it's easy to see where you get your work ethic from. I doubt you could count her as dead, look in the mirror and see her in yourself every morning.

pattinase (abbott) said...

Lost my Mom the year before and a day never passes when I don't think of her.

Vesper said...

A very touching tribute, Charles. It was difficult for her, but in the end, I think the satisfaction of seeing you turning out such a good man, must have outweighed the hardships. Still, they leave such a hole in our hearts… we can only hope to fill it with good memories…

Charles Gramlich said...

laughingwolf, thanks, man.

Mark, I certainly do have several physical resemblances to her.


patti, me as well.

Vesper, Yes, there are many good things to remember about her.

Golden Eagle said...

This is a beautiful tribute to your mom.

SzélsőFa said...

may the climate, as you described, she created surround you and your family for long!

jodi said...

Charles, your Mom was a very special lady who worked hard to keep you well. I thinks it's that generation that 'over-worries'. My Mom does it too. I can't get her to grasp that it's useless to worry about things you cannot control.

Jessica Ferguson said...

Beautiful, Charles. I'm sorry I missed it on Mother's Day.