May 9, 2012
Today is the one year anniversary of my mother’s ascent to Heaven. There is a part of me that feels like I should be so sad, and of course part of me is, but my mother filled my life with such love, laughter and joy that she will always be alive inside of me and what I am really feeling today is gratitude.
I am so grateful to have been shaped and guided in life by this beautiful, loving spirit that I call Mom. My mother was a dichotomy of herself in that she was an exceptionally strong woman who could accomplish anything she set her mind to, and yet at the same time, she was a soft, kind, tender and loving woman who truly cared about everyone around her.
My mother’s greatest legacy is not how successful she was in her career, not how she cared and loved for her family, not her zest for life, love of dancing, silly jokes or unbridled spirit; I am my mother’s legacy…my sister is my mother’s legacy…and all of those whose life she deeply touched and affected are my mother’s greatest legacy.
My mother gave anyone who knew her the gift of love, strength, compassion and courage. This was not an intentional act forced upon us, it was something she taught us by example in the way she lived her life each and every day. It is now our honor to carry on her legacy by living our lives to the fullest and to the best of our ability. I take great pride in celebrating her legacy in living my life by her standards and in what she taught me.
To steal Dan Fogelberg’s Lyrics (and filling in appropriate gender) ~
“…her blood runs through my instrument and her song is in my soul…my life has been a poor attempt to imitate the woman…I’m just a living legacy to the leader of the band.”
So Mama, I hope you’re up there in Heaven dancing with Daddy and, as always, being the life of the party! I’m sure Dad’s playing your song for you….
(She loved Tom Jones!)
♥ With all my love ♥ ~ Susan
SKEdazzles 
*hugs*
such sweetness ~ thank you.
Gail was a gift from god- and so are you girls! Thinking of you and vicki and you’re so blessed to have beautiful memories~<3
Thank you Michi!
Blub.
LOL! What I love about blogging, is that somehow I believe if you write it down and hit “post” it goes out to the universe ~ so hopefully she got the message. 🙂
Beautiful…like you! Mom would be so proud! Xoxo
❤ She was always so proud of both of us! ❤
Hi,
A lovely tribute to you Mum, and I love your photos, so many lovely memories.
Thank you! Yes, loads of lovely memories.
A lovely tribute to your mum. Very touching. Thanks for sharing your thoughts and those wonderful photos.
Thank you, Inga. As I mentioned to Bluelyon above, I was just hoping she’d get the message if I posted it! 🙂
This is such a beautiful post! I wish there was a “love” button.
Aw, you’re so sweet! Thank you.
A wondeful set of words to go with your memories, thanks for the share…..shalom en theos…..jim
Thank you so much. I just couldn’t image the day going by without honoring her.
A beautiful post, and a wonderful way to say I love you mom. You look just like her. 🙂
Thanks, John. Yes, a lot of people thought we looked alike.
What a wonderful tribute!
Thank you, Sonali.
I can only echo what everyone else here has said. I hope my children have even a fraction of such good feelings about me when I’m gone. Well, and now too.
Ha! Yes, now too! Just from some of the few comments you have made, you seem like a man of character so I can imagine that your children do feel the same.
I will always remember your mother’s gracious hospitality to “the new family” across the street, how she welcomed us to the neighborhood and invited us to swim in your pool! (believe me, an exotic opportunity for us Midwest girls!) She was so lovely, and this is a lovely memoir.
Thanks for the memories, Priscilla….seems like yesterday and then again, a life time ago! My mom always really liked your mom and whole family of course.
Every daughter should be so blessed to have been so well loved. And with Mother’s Day right around the corner, you inspire to let Mom know how much she is cherished and appreciated. Thank you for sharing.
Yes, absolutely let your loved ones know how much you appreciate them while they are still around! I cannot tell you how much peace is with you when someone passes and you have no regrets in the relationship you had with that person.
Very well stated. Regrets are such a “controllable” negative…Thanks
Rhonda
What a beautiful tribute to your mother. My thoughts are with you on this day. She left behind a beautiful legacy in you.
Thank you so much Maralee.
Condolence for the physical loss of your mother (and your Dad).
What a beautiful tribute to your mother, Susan. I felt the same way about my own mother, so evidently we were both blessed. When my mother died, I was at her deathbed as she peacefully faded into the next world. I knew it was not the end. I am sure your mother will always be with you in spirit, in your heart, which is obvious by this tribute. She is probably peering down, smiling, knowing she is still very much loved and that her spirit lives on.
Thank you, Orples. Yes, my dad was as wonderful a man as she was a woman. I was just extremely lucky to be raised by two amazing individuals. And I do believe she is still around absolutely! I’m glad you had the same experience with your own mother.
What a wonderful tribute to your mother filled with memories, pictures, and lot’s of love! Love the picture of her dancing with your dad 🙂
Thank you, Madhu. That is my absolute favorite picture of them because it is so representative of their fun and beautiful spirits, especially my mother’s – my dad was a little more quiet but she brought him out.
Beautiful post – thanks for sharing. Have a Great Day:)
Thank you Renee.
This is a beautiful tribute to your wonderful mother.
Thank you, Shez. She certainly deserved it.
The one year anniversary of my Grandma’s passing is next week and unfortunately I am finding it very very overwhelming. My mom and I have plans of what we are going to do on that day to “celebrate” her. Recently people have been repeating to me to “celebrate it how she would want me to”. And reading your blog today helped me one more step along that way. Thank you.
I’m so glad my post touched you in a small way. Yes, absolutely celebrate her life ~ go have lunch at her favorite restaurant, wear her favorite color, place a flower at her favorite location ~ she’ll know! 🙂
What a lovely & poignant post. That pic of Pete dipping Gail is priceless. Xo
My favorite picture of them Kimmie! 🙂
Such a beautiful tribute! She would be proud of you! Hugs!
Thank you so much. Yes, she was always proud but the best part is I always said these things to her when she was alive so I know she knows! 🙂
This is so lovely and your mother has so clearly filled you with a beautiful spirit! May she rest in peace as you carry on.
Yes, my mother had a amazing way with people. She was one of those people who always knew the right thing to say at the right time. It was a blessing.
I always sensed that you were blessed with a special gift. Each and every one of your blog posts is touched with a special grace….now I know that it is your Mother’s loving touch. Thank you for sharing this inspirational tribute.
Elisa
Oh Elisa, such a kind thing to say ~ thank you so much. xo
Beautiful tribute!
Thank you, Michael.
Lovely post for what sounds like a lovely woman. God bless you and your sister as you carry on her legacy.
Thank you so much Neil.
They always say ‘look at the mother to see how the daughter will turn out’ 🙂
Well thank you but those are some big shoes to fill! 😉
What a lovely tribute to your mother..
Thank you!
The sweetest and warmest tribute a mother can expect from her children. Very touching…
Thank you Natasha.
Ah, Susan, I see where you get your beauty. Your mother was an extraordinary beauty herself. And, judging from your description, she was just as lovely inside. You are a fortunate girl. You can speak about her the way you do because you had an unusual relationship with her. She was a fortunate mother too. This makes me feel good. 🙂
You’re too kind George! Of course, I did leave out the “teenage” years 🙂 ~ but overall my sister and I were pretty good and we truly did appreciate how wonderful my mother was…and my father – double lucky!
Just saw this today, on Mother’s Day…thanks for sharing your mom’s loveliness 🙂 Happy day to you!
Thank you for stopping by ~ Have a great day!
a beautiful tribute…from a lovely daughter…to an amazing mom… 🙂
Thank you so much for your very kind comment.
What a beautiful tribute. They leave such a great hole when they go, don’t they?