2011: You continue to live on in our hearts

It is impossible to look at a picture of Grandma Kathy and not have an instant smile brought to your face.  She radiated so much joy and emulated the epitome of selflessness.  

Grandma's memory continues to be an inspiration to me.  I have precious memories with her that will last my whole life.

I love you Grandma, and miss you so, so much.  There is so much I wish I could talk to you about as I become a woman.  But I can't help but be grateful for the 16 years I had to get to know you.

<3 Rachel

Dear Mom,

I am glad that I am taking the time to write to you. I have been thinking about you lately. I am going to go out for St. Patrick’s Day on March 17th to the Old Shillelagh downtown this year. My friends have all been going for years, but since you left us, I have not really wanted to go. Well, it is on a Thursday this year and I am off work, so I have no excuses. We will go out around 8:00a.m. in the morning; leave the bar by 1:00p.m. in the afternoon and go to lunch. That’s right, I will be drinking before noon! I will be sure to make a toast in your name:

To Kathleen Maurer a shining example of kindness, character and grace.

I love you and I miss you.

Susie

Letter from Jim - 2011

Remembering Mom 2011
Hi Mom, On your 8th anniversary of your passing, first let me say I miss you. Next let me say your husband, family and friends miss you too. I frequently think of you and often believe you are thinking of us. Your kindness, support, love, humor, attitude, friendship, guidance, family values have made a lasting impression on all of us.

I hope from afar, you can enjoy the family you and dad created, nourish and nurtured while you were here with us. I thank you for my brothers and sisters. I believe we are all different, but all share same family values you left with us. As I watch my own children grow and flourish I cant help but wish you were here to enjoy them too.

When you were here, did I show you how much I love you? Did I thank you often enough for all you have done for me? Did I keep you awake at night worrying about me to often?

It is not easy living here with out you, but it is easy thinking of you when we remember MOM. (Although it is not so easy to write…. it brings tears to my eyes every year.) Tears of sadness and tears of joy… that we celebrate your life in a way we will always remember. Tonight we will watch the movie Rachel suggest “The Prize Winner” and be thinking of you.
I remember, I thank you, I love you.

Please keep us in your prayers.

jimmy

It's sort of difficult to think of a specific moment that Grandma made time stop...because I always felt that way around her.

Whether we were in the kitchen, chatting at the table, spending time in the family room, or at any family gathering, she had that special way of giving you her undivided attention.  Like that moment was all that mattered to her.

Even at a young age, I remember being amazed at how happy she always was.  Just bubbly and joyful and my favorite person to be around...It seems more apparant to me as I grow up that the only way to be that joyful and content is to constantly live in the moment.

I own this movie that I absolutely love, and I think the reason I love it so much is because the main character reminds me SO much of Grandma.  She is very witty and bright, so loving, so happy...and Irish!

The movie is called "The Prize Winner" and I really encourage you all to watch it sometime. 

I love you all.

Grandma, I love and miss you so much it hurts.

2010 Letter from Jim

Remembering Mom
3-1-10
How/when do you think Mom lived in the moment and managed to make time stand still.
I believe mom DID Live in The Moment. As I recall the simple things she did with limited time and money. One fond memory is her watching us kids in the pool from the kitchen window. I recall from the vantage point of in the pool where she would knock on the window and point to say “cut that out” and from the kitchen later when I was older watching her look out the window and smile at the fun the kids were having. Family was always a priority.

Thinking about how mom took pleasure in the simple things does bring a sense of relief, because for whatever reason I seem to never have enough time. Maybe I am too lazy and spend too much time with TV…strong possibility or commit to too much, worry too much, expect too much, buy too much, want too much, see too much, exposed to too much, have too much, think too much, etc.

So as I reflect on mom and this topic I wish and pray to be more like mom. I hope to smile more, laugh more, be more available and love more. If mom had made a bumper sticker it may have said “Expect Less – Get More”.

Love you Mom,

Thanks,
Jimmy

Remembering Mom

Sue,

 

Thanks again for keeping this tribute going.

 

Jimmy

 

 

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