Saturday, November 24, 2012

Ten Years Later


Ten years ago today my mom died as a result of breast cancer.

Ten years.  Sometimes it seems like so much longer that my family has been without her.  Some days I have an urge to call her up with news to share before I remember that I can't.  Ten years expands and contracts and remains the same on any given day.

Last month, I made this portrait of my mom through Bank of America's Everyday Portrait fundraiser.  It required a downloaded photo and a list of words that you associate with the person you are honoring.  Bank of America donated $5.00 to breast cancer research for every portrait made and you could download your own tribute.

I don't know how many words I came up with for my mom but I do know it made me go back in time to remember what kind of person she was and how she lived her life.  I got to really think about her in a constructive way, sifting through and choosing adjectives that described who she was during her 56 years on earth.

We all expect to lose our parents at some point in our life but knowing this does not make it any easier.  Many of you reading have lost your own mother or father and know exactly what I am talking about. There are no words, no preparations, no hiding spots to retreat to, that will lessen this sadness.   Our comforts lie in the memories we cherish, the legacy we were gifted, and the way this shared experience binds us to others.


2 comments:

  1. What a lovely tribute to your mum. Hugs for you and your family.

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  2. Laurie...I am so sorry for your loss, I cannot imagine a worse even in life then losing our mom. We are only 5 years behind you and there are definitely days where I am smiling and wanting to share something with my mom and think about calling her. Then reality sets in...it's a cold, humbling place that stops me right in my tracks. You and I were so fortunate to have wonderful mothers and I remind myself, that others are not that lucky. I seem to take it for granted that "moms" are sweet, self-sacrificing, loving, all-knowing and all-doing...once you look around for a bit at the grocery store, mall, newspaper; I realize that isn't how it always is. I feel so blessed and honored to have had the mom I did...It was a bittersweet moment watching her slip away: happy she was no longer suffering, but filled with grief to know she would no longer grace my presence in the physical sense.

    Cheers to all the moms that have passed on and all the wonderful warm memories we will hold in our hearts forever!

    Thank you for sharing that beautiful and heartfelt post.

    Hugs,
    LindaLee

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