2010 Sue's letter to mom

Dear Mom,

With six kids, I don't see how you ever had time to live in the moment. The responsibilities and routine of every day life tend to cloud the mind leaving little room for self awareness, in which time tends to pass right before our eyes.

As I look back on your life, I realize that often you were able to capture moments throughout the day and freeze time. For instance, when you would wake up before everyone in the house and have your cup of coffee. I think you managed to use this time to reflect and experience life. I also remember when you would rock babies in your arms; you seem to embrace the moment instead of focusing on the outcome of a quiet sleeping baby. Of course when you played your music, time seemed to stand still for everyone listening.

Once again, I find myself envious of your appreciation of time. I think that means I need to make a change in my life that will lead me toward moments to just be.

I miss you and love you,

Susie

#1 Son Dan

March 1, 2010 WHEN DID MOM LIVE IN THE MOMENT

Lets recall some special days,that would of stopped time,and you could say lived in the moment.

#1 The day Mom started School at St. Henry's

#2 The day Mom Finished grade's 1-8

#3 the day Mom Started High School ? [ not sure of high school]

#4 The day Mom Graduated High School

#5 The day Mom When to the FBI to Work

#6 The day Mom Met Dad

#7 The day Mom started work at Fords

#8The day Mom Got Married

#9 The day Mom went on her Honeymoon in Florida

#10 The day Mom moved into a brand new home 8910 Ruth

#11 The day Mom Gave Birth to Danny

#12 The day Mom Gave Birth to Jimmy

#13 The day Mom Gave Birth to Jerry

#14 The day Mom Gave Birth to Marie

#15 The day Mom Gave Birth to Diane

#16 The day Mom Gave Birth to Susan

#17The day Mom watched each of her children Finish Grade School & High School

#18 The day Mom went to each of her kids College Graduation

#19 The day Mom Watched her Kids get Married

#20 The day Mom watched Dad Retire after 34 years @ Fords

#21 The day Mom watched each of her Grand Children arrive

#22 The day Mom re-enter the work force at the Riley School

#23 The day Mom took all of us on a Cruise ship

#24 The day Mom retired from the school to take care of her Mother

#25 The day we all went Camping each summer

#26 The day of the Family re-unions

#27 The days Mom Visited each of her Childrens Homes for Family Stuff

I could continue for a while but the rest were NOT LIVING IN THE MOMENT THEY WERE BEING IN THE MOMENT......LOVE YA MOM dANNY

Dear Mom...

Feb. 2010;

 

Dear Mom,

I know how you used to slow down time for all of us.... your kitchen table.  How many delightful times were spent there!   Whether it was all of us, a few or just you and I, your kitchen table was a haven of rest and renewal.  You made it that way, with your welcoming smile, ready cuppa, snack or major meal.   We all just wanted to hang, laugh, listen and revel in being part of such a great family.  But the most important way that you made the madness of life slow to a crawl, was with your smile.  When anyone walked in the kitchen, you made them feel like they were the guest of honor.  You would jump up with that beautiful smile and lovely laugh and invite them into the heart of the kitchen... your table.  It didn't end there, because when anyone of us had something to say, you gave us your full attention, LOOKING at us in a way that we knew you were listening with your whole heart.  What a blessing to all of us, to have such an avid fan and encourager.  Oh Mom, I miss you so much. 

Love, one of the bookends, Jeanie

Mom- February 26, 2009

 

Mom, it has been 3 years since I have participated in this email blog that little sis Susie has started for us but each time I try to write something I get all chocked up and stop writing. I will never forget the horrific day March 1, 2003, the dreaded call that was left on my voicemail from dad trying to desperately to find someone home for help and to tell us the terrible news. Till this day, I will not be the one to listen to any voice mail message for fear of bad news.

 

The day of your passing Jim, kids and I were at the Ford Field looking for new trailers. When we arrived home we checked our voicemail as usually and heard the tragic message of your passing. I was in shock, I screamed saying “what did that just say” “what was that message from Dad”, Jim didn’t want to play it again for he already knew what it said. Then at that moment Jerry had called to inform us of the details. Mom, Jerry was very brave, you would have been very proud of him he was the one with dad shortly after your passing and help dad thru that horrid afternoon. That evening we all gone to dad’s to support him, to be together, to grieve and just try to have it all sink in.

 

You have meant so much to me over the years that your passing has put an enormous hole in my heart that will never be filled. When I visit you at your condo (cemetery) I am usually with dad not just for me but I know dad likes having someone there with him. But sometimes I am courageous I go myself and when I do I spend time just talking to you and thinking what would it be like if you were still with us. There are so many things I need to thank you but I think of you everyday and pray to you every night asking for your “Guardian Angel” projection on all of us.

I miss you and love you very much for you will always be in my heart.

 

“If I could build a stairway, I would walk right up to you and bring you home”.

 

Love Marie

 

 

 

 

Marie

Fingerprints

Hi Mom,

Good Mothers are remembered for a long time. Great Mothers leave fingerprints on the souls of their children that are never erased. I've been fingerprinted! As the years pass, my love, appreciation and admiration for you only continues to grow.

The number of diapers you changed, outfits you sewed, lunches you packed, pigtails you crafted, toys you picked up, meals you prepared, parties you planned, groceries you bought, presents you wrapped, clothes you washed etc. is astonishing. And to top it off, you did most of it with a song in your heart. How did you manage it all? We're you sipping Red Bull energy drinks on the sly?

You provided an excellent example of a woman who is dedicated to her family and full of grace, wisdom, character, strength, generosity and pizazz! I wish you could be here to spoil my kids, correct my mistakes and mix-up some of those energy drinks for me! It's hard to accept the most influencial person in my life is someone my kids will never meet in this world.

We've been singing a lot of Disney songs as of late and many of them cannot be sung without thinking of you...Bibbety-Bobbity-Boo, It's a Small World, Spoonful of Sugar, Supercalifragalistic, She'll be Coming Roun' the Mountain etc. We all had so much fun singing with you!

So, here's to you Mom and your unique fingerprint which has been guiding me all my life.
I love and miss you,
Di

I just want to tell you...

I love you so much; you have shaped the woman I am and the woman I want to be.
Thank you for continuing to be a guiding light in my life.

With Love,
Rachel