Thursday, May 6, 2010
I was not sure how to begin what I wanted to say so I looked the word Mother up in the dictionary. The definition given is “ a female parent” I found this to be too plain and simple for someone whose love and nurturing transcends all else in our lives.
From the moment of our conception a very special bond begins between a mother and child, one that stays with us all our lives. The words we use so affectionately from this bond change as we grow and develope such as Mama, Mommy, Mom and Ma with the occasional Mother thrown in.
All of us believe that our mother is the best and no other is better and I will keep those thoughts to myself because I believe each of us is absolutely correct to hold this thought dear in our hearts. Instead I prefer to tell you all of the memories I will treasure the rest of my life.
My earliest memories of Mom are how she would pick me up when I’d fall, kiss the boo-boo’s and somehow make everything better again.
She loved cooking cookies, brownies and her “neighborhood famous” candy apples while my brothers and I anxiously waiting to lick the bowls or get the first one.
Soon it was my first day of school and being separated from Mom for the first time in my life. I remember waiting for the bell to ring and the bus to get me home to the place that felt so safe and secure. These feelings slowly receded as time went on and I became more independent.
My adolescence came and Summer’s were the best of all. Cookouts, Sunday Drives and my favorite pastime of all days at Wyman’s Beach. Mom would pack the car for the day and usually with our neighbors, the Burtts, we’d go to the beach, claim a picnic table with a grill and spend the day swimming and splashing about. Later in the afternoon our Dad’s would show up and fire up the grill and dinner was served. We would leave at dusk head home contented and usually sound asleep when we got there. Our Sunday drives were usually to the ocean which were Mom’s favorites always taking the “Scenic Drive”, to Gloucester’s Stage Fort Park, along the shore from Hampton to Portsmouth or my favorite spot York Beach. Cookouts always seemed to be an afternoon experience eating outside at the picnic table and always as a family.
All too soon I graduated High School and for the very first time I was leaving my Mother and joining the Air Force. I was nervous and a little scared but Mom as always made me feel better about it and with a few tears I was off. When I came home and Mom held me in those arms as if she would never let me go I felt safe and secure once more.
As adults a whole new pastime emerged, our family, some relatives and friends found a better way to spend Memorial and Labor Day weekends. Camping!!! Some faces changed in the 5 or 6 years we camped but the one constant was Mom and Dad. Mom was the matriarch of our camps and it was during these years we learned one thing for sure. Mom was more than just a mother to my brothers and I to most of you here today she was your mother as well at one time or another and we shared her with you all. None of us were ever far from her thoughts and she had more than enough love for us all. I ask that at this time we each take a moment to remember some day or time that you remember she made you feel special.
It is with heavy hearts Matt, Moe, Scott and I will have to spend our first Mother’s Day without our Mother, but she will always be here in our hearts and in our memories and Ma, Mom, Mommy, Mama we Love You and we will miss you and we thank you for everything
