Our mom was my brother and my step-mom. She was the glue that held the family together.
When she passed away in 2000, our little family slowly fell apart. Dad became lost in his own sorrows for a few years.
I never knew what to say or how to comfort and soon time separated us more and more.
It shouldn’t have been that way, but life has a funny way of helping us to either make or not through loss of parents.
I think my brother, Al suffered the most. His suffering wasn’t done like ours by talking about her and memories. His was done internally. Somewhere inside of his head and heart he built a shell as hard as a walnut.
He became more distant from all of us. He buried himself in coca cola and things that he should have strayed away from. Pretty soon it was evident that our family had come unglued.
I didn’t realize it for a long time that a lot of my own personal problems were due to the lack of being able to go to Mom’s house and talk to her. I didn’t realize that I had counted on her that much in my life.
She and I were never close like chocolate and milk. We were more like apples and pears. I hadn’t seen that through the years that I was growing up. I had omitted to let her know how much she meant to me and how thankful I was that she took us two kids in under her wings.
That has to be tough for parents. I have never taken kids in to raise as my own. I do know that I have children in my family that aren’t what people call blood related but I fell in love with them as if they were. I always include them when I speak of my grandkids. I don’t see them any other way.
But for a Mom or Dad to take this role on day after day after year I assume there has to be some big adjustment times for adult and child.
Today was a day from hell for my brother. Although his Parkinson’s has brought about some dementia with it and no matter how badly he hurts physically, he never forgets our Mom.
He was really sad today. The real truth is he misses her just as much now as he did years ago when she went to heaven. Mom’s birthday is three days after Mother’s Day and so to him it is a double whammy. I tried so hard to console him today but I know in my heart that he will have to work through this alone.
I know my heart feels the void and there are still many times I want to go to the phone and dial her number, but alas, I can not.
Mom, I never told you this too often. Most likely it was because I was a stubborn brat and didn’t want to admit I may be wrong. I love you Mom. I know I caused you grief. You had your hands full with a full-time job, a new husband, and two new kids. I want you to know how sorry I am.
I am so certain that you and Dad watch over Al and me even now. I hope that you both are proud of how I have cared for my baby brother. I hope you are both smiling down on us. I love you Dad and I miss you so much. I love you Mom and I am sending you hugs from this earth up to you. I will see you soon enough and then I will give you a real big hug. Happy Mother’s Day Mom. You certainly earned your title.
Love, Your Daughter
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That’s extremely moving Terry
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thank you Alastair. Good to talk to you tonight
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🙂
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Terry … I feel your pain as well as your brother’s. I am the last of the line so to speak, an only child born late in life to older parents who both crossed over many years ago, no children of my own … holidays are particularly difficult. I miss my Mother every day.
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I would just as soon skip over most holidays anymore since our parents were such a big part of those special days. I know you understand what I mean
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Since my mom died 7 years ago, these special days are not the same anymore, but we try to make the best of it, but there’s always something missing. Big hug for you and Al 🙂
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I know what you mean. I always stay a way from the Hallmark cards because it causes too much pain. I am also glad when those days are over
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Beautiful,
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thank you Julie, Happy Mother’s Day to you
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Thank you Terry, for your willingness to open up and share. It was a poignantly moving story full of resilience and hope. God bless!
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Thank you so much Mark. A very nice comment you have given to me.
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How beautiful Terry!
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Thanks so much Tersia. It is great to chat with you again!!!
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Oh Terry. Thank you for this. I appreciate your sharing and your heart.
By the way… these are perfect words as to my mother and me:
“She and I were never close like chocolate and milk. We were more like apples and pears.”
♥
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sad to say but there are many mothers and daughters who never bonded. You and I are a piece of this small bubble. Great to chat with you. Hope you are doing well
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That is so true and sad as you said. My grandma raised me so she was more lie my mom. I miss her.
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I can relate to your feelings. I have a grandma who is 96 and lives in another state in a facility. My entire extended family is deceased. I tend to cling more to my memories as I age. Hugs Kellie
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This isn’t for your FWF, but I thought you may enjoy what I just wrote this second.
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Such a touching and moving story, Terry!
My contribution this week is the same, though in a very different way.
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thank you so much Charles for your comment. I really appreciate the link, for which I have left a comment there for you. Stop by anytime my friend
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heartfelt memory… I too, have had a bit of “missingMom” tinges today…It is always bitteresweet… remembering when they were here to talk to …and now gone…I just thankGod I had her for the many years I did…Best to you Terry…and Al too… Try and enjoy “your” day…
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from Marilyn…don’t know why it doesn’t show my profile sometimes…
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thank you both, Marilyn I have no idea why your profile shows, it’s a computer, is all i can say, I am glad this day is almost over but thankful for my memories
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Extremely moving life story free write.
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thank you so much Neen!!!!
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You always speak the truth and straight from your heart. I know from your posts that things were difficult at times between your mom (step-mom) and you, but here it seems you are more at peace with it all. We are all proud of you, Terry… And so are they. Btw, how cute are you guys in that photo–love photos!
A ❤
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Yes, I did make peace with my step-mom the last couple of years she was alive. I am very grateful for this as we never know when our time is up. She did the best she could
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Glad you got that peace at the end… Sometimes it just comes at the very end.
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yes, sometimes we have to wait until we cross that ribbon to get the prize
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