Friday, January 5, 2007

Happy Birthday, Momma!!!

Today would've been my mother's 57th birthday. Wow! It is hard to imagine her being that age. I guess that is a vantage point for her passing away at the age of 34. I will always remember the beautiful women she was. So full of life, even going through chemo, bone marrow biopsies, etc. She was a real fighter. I don't think I could ever have fought as hard as she did. I guess you could say she fought for everything her whole life. Troublesome childhood. Getting beaten by her father for sneaking out of the house to go to church. The whole family did. Leaving home before graduating high school. A really horrible first marriage. Struggling to raise me on her own. Proving to the courts that she was capable of raising me alone. Finally finding true love and happiness. Then after almost 6yrs being married to the man you are so in love with, to be diagnosed with leukemia. I can't imagine.

To know her was to really love her. At her funeral there were hundreds of people. Seriously. I never knew she'd touched so many lives. Later I was told that when someone had refuse the treatment for their specified cancer, they'd send her in. Eventually she talked them into the treatment. Sometimes I wonder just how many lives she actually saved. How many got to have their own children? How many other parents got to see their children have a child and got to see the first smile of their last grandchild? How many got to witness their children's high school/college graduations? Sometimes I wonder.

Again, a good way to look at this is I will never see my mother age. She will always be the feisty red head with a heart as big as Texas that added spark to every party.

Happy Birthday, Momma. I love you!

7 comments:

Jody said...

Happy Birthday to your Momma in Heaven. That was so nice of you to share...
I am one who believes that none of us will fully know the impacts we've made in other's lives until we are gone and we look back and see from a 'new perspective'. Just like my little Teagan...at age four she never would have touched the number of lives that she has now that she's gone. I hope I leave a lasting impact in lives just as your momma did.

Amy Nabors said...

Such a sweet post! So glad you have good memories of your dear momma.

CyndiAKADisneyqueen said...

Happy Birthday Mary's mom. Mary that was a beautiful story. Would love to talk stories with you when we get together. You will be surprised at what we have in common.

Anonymous said...

Mary, I was scrapbooking and decided to take a break. After reading your sweet dedication to your momma and having tears come to my eyes, I was glad I took that break! Thank you for sharing your feelings. I'll share my story with you one day.
So...Happy Birthday to your sweet momma.Happy Memories to you!

Jenney said...

Your mom sounds like a wonderful person, Mary!!!

Thanks for sharing her with us!!

Lisa said...

Happy Birthday Mary's Momma!
I'm sure she would be so proud of the mom you turned into Mary! She's not 'here' to see it, but she's got a better view now and guides you when you don't even know it. I hope your day was a good one and thanks for telling us about her.

Nan said...

Never to late to chime in huh Mary!! Happy Birthday to your Mom!! Losing my father when I was 18 was a HUGE jolt for me! You are so right when you say that we never know just how many lives we touch....just by being you! I'm glad YOU are a part of my life girl!