Seasons
The cold winter has finally released, and left, imparting us with the warmth of Spring. As I patter through my house barefoot for the first time in months, I remember my woolly socks. Only two days ago, I relied heavily on them to cuddle my toes. Where are they now? I haven’t a clue. How quickly I’ve forgotten what I cherished as comfort.
Life, like the seasons, is always turning. My cousin and I, now both “motherless†trying to organize a funeral, suddenly aware of how many details our mothers took care of that we are leaving undone – like arranging the family dinner, and ordering the flowers on-time. Cousins I remember playing with are now carrying in the casseroles that our own Mothers once made. Remember when our Mothers did all of this? Remember what we were like then?
My Aunt’s passing, of course, creates another season. My 4 boys and husband do not understand how she helped define me — how pivotal her role was in the underlying tapestry that creates me. So, as the memories come back, now and then, I will feed my boys the details of what she did that made me laugh, helped me, and how her presence transformed me.
As I stand at the cemetery during my Aunt’s Funeral, beside the grave where we buried my Mother two years ago, I find that I am able to stand. Alone. I could not do this, in this spot, two years ago. I am surprised by this. When did God grant me the calmness, the serenity, I feel today? When did it become an acceptable part of my life that my Mother is no longer alive? My youngest child cries because he said, “we promised him he would see his Grandma here.” We meant her picture — the one we put on her tombstone. I have the presence and the strength to calm him now.
My children are now forming memories of me as the way I am today. To them, I may look like someone with a quiet reservoir of reserved strength. Me, the wiser daughter my Mother never lived to see. Children, don’t look to close; tomorrow, I might fall apart. I can’t help but still see myself as the erratic, confused, emotional little girl that I have been most of my life. But, those seasons are stacked and put away. Parts of me I no longer need. Very much like my woolly socks.
28 Comments
Michelle
What a touching post, thank you for entering it in the contest, good luck.
Robin
What a beautiful post. Thank you for sharing it, and I’m sorry for your loss.
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Leslie
This was a lovely post. You are a brilliant writer.
SusieJ
Because you are all such brilliant writers too, your compliments mean so much. Thank you.
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Rebekah
What a beautiful analogy and awesome way to look at it! I will keep this in mind as I continue to grow!
Rebekah
Val
Congrats – you won!
kim from hiraeth
Congratulations! A heart felt and well written post.
I am sorry for your loss.
Geekwif
That was beautiful. Congratulations on winning the contest!
Fiddledeedee (It Coulda Been Worse)
Congratulations! Very beautiful job. This brought back memories of my last visit to our family cemetery in Texas. I went there to bury my mama. I realized then that she was the “keeper of my memories” for me. And now, I must be that for my own kids.
Coach J
Wow! Congratulations on winning the contest! And, though I don’t know you personally, you are beautiful. I know your mom would be proud. I haven’t had to go through any of this, but when I do, I know I will be OK, and be able to stand. You are a strong woman.
Joyful Days
That was beautiful written. Many congrats on winning–you deserved it. This brought tears because, while I haven’t lost my mother, we are walking through uncharted times because of her health. This growing up process surprises me so often. I am sincerely sorry for the loss of your mom and your aunt. And while I know that time makes you stronger, the loss is there still.
~Blessings
Lisa Milton
Congratulations on your win!
Sometimes my sister and I talk about the someday. I can’t imagine losing my Mom. She is our anchor. Thanks for the beautiful post.
The Wooden Porch
This is bittersweet. I have such a lump in the throat.
This Eclectic Life
Congratulations to you! A well deserved win. This is a wonderful post, as are all of yours.
Shelly
Military Mommy
Found you via Scribbit. Wow. Very beautiful, real post. I will definitely be back.
Love, Michelle
Chris
Congrats on the win!
kim from hiraeth
Thank you for the kind words you left on my blog this morning.
I was just talking to a friend on the phone last night and was lamenting that I felt the content of my blog had suffered of late.
I was encouraged today. Thank you!
Patois
Congratulations on the win. It’s a beautifully written piece.
Jenny
This is a beautiful post, Susie. Blessed by it, Jenny
louann
Congratulations! Nice nice nice post….loved it 🙂
Maria
Wow I love your writing. You have such talent.
MotherPie
Yes, congratulations. Don’t we always need our mothers?
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Gattina
I just do a round amongst the contest participants.
You made me think about friends who lost their mother and from that day they all changed. They looked to me like plants without a stick to hold them up. With the time it got better, but still there is a little change. I never experienced this so I can only see it from outside. When my mother died it just meant nothinng to me. The only thing I felt, was that she wouldn’t bother me any more. I had my grandma when she died it was awful.
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Lin
Beautiful!