Faith

What does the word faith mean? For many when they see and think about the word faith it is in a spiritual context. It is believing in something or someone. Or believing that what you wish for and need will happen. Whether this be by the help of a higher power or by some other means, believing your hopes and needs will come true is having faith. Although I definitely do see faith in this context, I also see it in another very meaningful context. Faith is the name of a very important person that made a significant impact on my life and everyone’s life around her.

This very important person was suddenly taken from everyone that loved her almost 7 years ago. And it was at that moment that I realized just how significant her name is and how it fit her so well. To understand why, knowing who she was is necessary. She was a very gentle and soft spoken person. She never raised her voice but still let you know when she was not happy with you. Anyone who knew her had no doubt they could put their faith in her for anything. And she was always happy to help anyone who asked.

Faith wore many hats and titles. She was a wife, mother, grandmother, friend, co-worker and to everyone that knew her a living, breathing saint. She put all others above herself and never complained while doing it. When it came to family she was the glue that held ours together. If there was a family get together, she was the one that did the planning and made sure everyone knew when, where and what to bring. She adored and spoiled her grandchildren every chance she could. And when it came to friends, she always had time for a conversation and a cup of coffee or three.

To me she was a mother. She was the best mother anyone could dream of having. She was always there when you needed someone to listen and always gave the best advice. Or just a big hug if that was all that was necessary. And when she was suddenly taken from us, I realized we all would need some assistance with keeping our faith, the spiritual kind. For me at first I failed miserably. The most important and influential person in my life was gone and I didn’t get to say goodbye before she left. She died so suddenly it was not possible to tell her how much we loved her and would miss her. And how important she was to all of us. Did she know this? I had so many regrets about not calling more and visiting more. It ate at me for a long time. It still does sometimes. There is nothing that tests a persons faith more than losing a loved one. They start questioning so many things about their life and beliefs.

So, why does her name fit her so well? When she was alive she was the most saintly person I know. If anyone could make someone have faith in their hopes and dreams it was my mother. In her death, all of our faiths were tested. And in my case I can admit for a while I did lose faith. How could anything positive happen in life after something so sad and horrible happened? And since then my life has not been the best but I do have faith that it will get better. And if I ever find my self losing faith or hope I think of my mom as her first and middle names were Faith Hope.