I am extremely blessed.  I have been the recipient of the selfless love that only good mothers can give.  I don’t deserve this, anymore than any of us do. But, because I have been loved so fully, and so well all of my 67 years, I have been given a gift beyond measure.  I just feel the need to express my love to the extraordinary woman that I know as “Mom.”

When I was born, in the early 50”s, it was kind of like the T.V. show, “Happy Days.”  For many people, after World War II, things were economically better and there was an optimism, borne of having lived through the Depression and war.

I came into into this environment, to two remarkable people that wanted me and cherished me from before I was born.  In many ways, they were just like everybody else. But, to me, they were my world. And my world was truly lovely.

My parents weren’t rich, even though it seemed to me that we were.  But we were very fortunate and they worked hard to make a good life for my brother and me.  And my Mom, as was common then, stayed home and took care of us. She was always there, physically, mentally and emotionally.  And we counted on her to be there for us. She never let us down.

As I grew up, she was still there for me, even when I was not at home.  When I was away at camp she wrote me everyday and sent me my favorite comic strip, “Marmaduke.”  When I went to Europe, while in high school, she wrote me almost everyday, as well as when I went off to college.  We would talk long distance. And in those days, long distance phone calls were expensive!

I could always connect with her.  When my kids were small, we moved to California for work.  My husband’s livelihood was being negatively affected by the economy and he had to find a job elsewhere.  So the letter writing and phone calls continued.

One of the most wonderful things about my mom was her ability to sit and listen to me.  She heard of all my joys and sorrows, all my hopes and dreams, sadness and fears. Her ability to sit without judgement and let me vent all my frustrations, never saying anything but, “Oh honey I wish I could help,”  was an incredible talent that few people possess. And her sense of humor and delicious laughter were precious gifts to me, especially when I was the one who made her laugh.

When the economy was better, we moved back and we saw each other or talked almost everyday.  Now she is 92, and I still depend on her “being there” for me. The love she and my father gave me while growing up, has been responsible for every good thing that has since happened in my life.  I can never repay her. All I can do is treasure her and do whatever I can to be there for her while she is still here with me.

Someday, when she passes on into heaven, I will be at peace, knowing that her spirit is here, still loving me and watching over me.  And I will hold tight to the love between us and look forward to the day when we will meet again.