Mom

My mother worked out of the home from the moment I was three weeks old. She managed the local ice cream shop, but somehow always had time for us three girls. Our house was near spotless, and yet everyone was greeted with the classic line of , “Don’t mind the mess!” Daddy worked for the computer company several towns over, and arrived home each night to a home cooked meal. We were spoiled with mother’s love. Daddy was a busy man and often found little time for us kids unless we had a family vacation, but mom well but made up the difference, with baked goods and special one on one time. My mom was especially involved in our school lives baking cakes, cookies, cupcakes etc. for class events. She rarely missed a recital, school play, or concert. Her dedication to us was undeniable. 

At the age of sixteen my sister and best friend was diagnosed with cancer. Our whole world changed. The once house filled with gaiety and cookies was now filled with tears and nurses. My father who was in his room became a powerful figure of strength and guidance. But my mother, the one who held us together for so long, finally found her breaking point. The day we were told she arrived at the house eyes bloodshot red from tears she threw her arms around me and sobbed, “She’s dying, my baby is dying.” I have never seen a person so hurt and broken in all my days. My mother was lost in sorrow. But again, I saw her pull together and rally the strength of giants. She returned to the hospital and for the next eighteen months she sat side by side with my sister. She rubbed her back. Encouraged her to eat. Raced her to the ER when her numbers and blood counts got bad. Her tenacity never ceased. 

Throughout the next two years my mother was there fighting beside my sister. Arguing with doctors, nurses, and staff trying to get the best treatment available for my sister. We had many days of tears and days of silly laughter trying to make the best out of a bad situation. 

My mom used to joke about how she always thought she was going to have a red head and the day after your sister's hair had all fallen out she was in the bathroom upset about the wig not looking just right. So I grabbed the closest thing I could which was my bright cherry red lipstick. This was a Sunday morning and we were supposed to be getting ready for church. Mom yelled at us to hurry up and giggling we appeared downstairs. Horrified mother broke out into tears laughing. I had taken that lipstick and drawn smiling faces, hearts, flowers, and various shapes on my sisters now bald head. My mother said,”leave it to you girls to give me my red head!” We were always out to make a bad situation better and mom knew this was so hard and instead of screaming and yelling she laughed and cried with us. My mother was always gracious like that. Putting aside her own feelings for the sake of others. 

My sister is twenty four years in remission after being told she had weeks to live. I believe that is partly because of my mom. Her faith, her hope, and her love pulled not only my sister but all of us through an incredibly difficult time. My mom has such a love and encouraging spirit. My only hope is that one day my impact can be as important as hers has been on all our lives. 

At the age of sixteen my sister and best friend was diagnosed with cancer. Our whole world changed. The once house filled with gaiety and cookies was now filled with tears and nurses. My father who was in his room became a powerful figure of strength and guidance. But my mother, the one who held us together for so long, finally found her breaking point. The day we were told she arrived at the house eyes bloodshot red from tears she threw her arms around me and sobbed, “She’s dying, my baby is dying.” I have never seen a person so hurt and broken in all my days. My mother was lost in sorrow. But again, I saw her pull together and rally the strength of giants. She returned to the hospital and for the next eighteen months she sat side by side with my sister. She rubbed her back. Encouraged her to eat. Raced her to the ER when her numbers and blood counts got bad. Her tenaceased.

fion