In Honor of my Mom

I had the opportunity to speak at my Mother’s funeral two years ago and today in her memory I would like to share this will you.

My mother died February 21, 2007 in Arizona and was cremated. She stayed with my dad in a beautifully wrapped box until he returned to Madison and could finally arrange the memorial service. She was in this beautiful gold box in the front of the church and some of my words were directed to her from the podium. Here is the speech I delivered.


When someone passes on, I think others like me wonder where they have gone? Are they at peace? Do they truly look down on us like guardian angels? Two themes I would like to touch on this morning make me believe that this is true – they go to a place of peace and they do watch over us.

The two themes are
1) the HOPE of where my mom has gone
2) and the KNOWLEDGE that she is still looking over me.

The words of two songs by Mercy Me give me HOPE as I imagine her departure from this world -
Mercy Me sings “I can only imagine what my eyes will see, when your face is before me…surrounded by your glory what will my heart feel? Will I dance for you Jesus or in your arms will I be still…”
and HOMESICK: “You’re in a better place I’ve heard a thousand times, and at least a thousand times I’ve rejoiced for you… If home is where my heart is then I’ve never been more homesick than now.”

I have a great deal of peace knowing that Mom departed this world and was immediately seated in the most beautiful garden – beyond anything we can imagine. There to greet her were several people from her past – including her brothers Jim and Shorty, her Mom and Dad and I also suspect others we can think of – too numerous to mention. One person I imagine she saw who we do not talk about, but Mom never forgot, is her twin brother John who died shortly after birth and also three of my siblings – two older brothers and my sister Mary Elizabeth. I imagine this reunion was very wonderful!

I have hope when I think of her surrounded by other loved ones we have missed – those of a furry nature – Sam Cat, Francis, Tiger, and probably her favorite Alex. There’s also Molly, Kelly, Cuddles, and Spotsie from our own herd of pets.

So this is the vision that gives me HOPE about where she is now.

How do I know she is watching over me? I would like to share some instances that lead me to believe this.

Shortly before she died I had a job interview for a different job at the UW. I was at the interview on Friday before Theresa and I left on Saturday to visit her in AZ. I felt good about the interview and when I saw Mom I told her about it. I asked her in an offhand way if I’d get this one. She nodded yes.
The day after she died I got a call for the second and final interview before I was offered the job. Of course when I called my dad and told him- he said “well you know who to Thank for that!” Thanks Mom.

I have also struggled for years to get gold finches to visit my bird feeders at home. Mom and I would often kid about this in a competitive way. She call and report 12 finches on her feeders, and I could only sigh and say, well I think I heard one this morning… Well I kept trying the spring after she died and one day I heard quite to commotion at the feeder. I was thinking I had a cat outside pestering the birds. However looking outside I could see over 10 finches on the feeder and in the brush… It was a beautiful sight! I think she also sent some chickadees for good measure. Thank you, Mom for sending them my way. The birds give me and my cats great joy.

Lately my home has been a depository for stray cats wandering into the yard and visiting. My mom was a cat lover and as my brother said, she could coax the most resistant stray to her hand. In the last month three strays have made their way to my house, and then to the humane society however. Mom - my limit is three!

So this is why I have great peace about where my mom is and how I know she is watching over me. I hope in sharing this that you might come to believe in this hope and knowledge that you are being watched over as well.

Mom, I love you, I miss you and thanks for looking over me.

You know you are getting old when...

You know you are getting older when…
I had to fill out a form in case I should happen to get hurt at work… if I break an arm tripping on the steps, or slip on a wet floor in the café… heaven forbid anything should happen.
But it made me kinda laugh! When they asked for contact information I put down my two (almost grown up) children… Most people probably put down a spouse, but being single I could not…
I remember not long ago how I was sending forms to school with my emergency contact information in case one of my kids should happen to get hurt on the playground or during a sporting event… it is funny how life does come around…

I am truly an "in-betweener" – taking care of my kids AND taking care of my dad. Even though my Dad is far away there are not many days that go by when I do not check in with him to be sure he has been eating well, driving OK, getting over the latest cold and wearing his sun screen!
I guess it just goes to show that we all need taking care of no matter our age or rank in the family… we all need someone to contact in case of emergency…

Hmmmmm I wonder if I put down Horatio Caine from CSI Miami, or Richard Gere or Keanu Reeves if one of them would come to my rescue should I get hurt…. Only in my dreams….