Easter Meditations and Quotes: A Mother's Legacy
75I guess I never realized how Mom made holidays and Holy Days truly meaningful, until she was no longer with us. Last year on Easter Sunday, I woke up prepared to set our dinner table for three; and today, my husband and I raised our glasses to Mom's memory.
With the Promise of Spring
I frequently remind myself that my sadness is selfish. Mom died suddenly on May 7th, 2010, just days before Mother's Day and her 83rd birthday. I would have never been ready to say good bye to my best friend. Today, I am, at least, grateful she did not suffer for even an instant.
To me, Mom was ageless. While I acknowledge a physical decline in her last few years, mostly related to Parkinson's Disease and Rheumatoid Arthritis, mentally Mom was "sharp as a tack".
Despite the personal sacrifice of giving up a college education to marry and raise four children, Mom was the best Mother I have ever known. She was totally "present" for us, through every phase of our lives, "the good times and the bad". She only asked that "we do our best".
Mom always predicted that I would be a nurse or a teacher. Right again! I have done a bit of both in the course of my lifetime.
In both arenas, I have seen many children and adults who have "never quite felt good enough". I try, whenever possible, to stress the individual's strengths and positive attributes to begin with; and we all have them! I find that, when people are comfortable enough to open up, their insecurity may, in fact, stem back to their childhood, from home or school.
Consider that "everyone has special talents, and it is our duty to find them and use them well." (John Templeton)
As for me, I was so blessed to have the kind of Mom who wrote me these powerful words in a Journal I gave her in 2002:
"My hopes and dreams and wishes for you then... I wanted you to be a happy, carefree little girl with no worries beyond being sure that your teddy bear was in your bed at night. I wanted you to be exposed to any learning experience, since you always had so much curiosity and needed to know "why", your favorite word.
And now... And now, I want you to have true peace and real happiness. You already have the foundation with a husband, pets and a home, bringing you love, companionship and contentment. I want you to slow down and do things just for yourself instead of always duty and chores."
I believe these nurturing and maternal words, which comfort me more than you can imagine, are universal, for anyone who is in need of a Mother's love today.
It Might Seem Academic but
I admit that I tend to get carried away with my "ordering". In happening across my Mother's Day card to Mom from 2006, I found a great example! Yes, Sharyn's Slant, I found it in one of those "drawers" we were talking about!
"Dear Mom, You have taught me so very much! I have not stopped learning from you since the time I was a little girl until now, 45-years later, thanks for teaching me the alphabet of life.
- Accept yourself, even your hips!
- Believe there is nothing you cannot do.
- Challenge yourself often.
- Dignity carries you through anything.
- Ethical behavior in all situations.
- Family is important.
- Grow some kind of plant.
- Humor helps.
- Inflict no pain or harm
- Judge a book not by its cover.
- Keep your promises
- Listen to each other.
- Money should be spent wisely.
- No time like the present.
- Own your mistakes.
- Peacefulness is essential in life.
- Quality time is precious.
- Religion is how you live.
- Strive to do your best.
- Tell the truth.
- Understand the situation thoroughly.
- Vow to understand.
- Why not do it now?
- "X"amine your face, are you proud of it?
- You are a lady, act it!
- Zoos and animals can be kinder than people."
I know Mom would have been my "biggest fan" and very proud of my writing on Hub Pages, as she was of everything I ever did. As such, I write my 10th article in her memory and pass the life lessons I have learned from her now to you.
© Maria Jordan (April, 2011)
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Beautiful tribute to a very special mother. It sounds like you and your mother had a very loving relationship. Voted/ rated awesome.
Dear Car51~~
Thank you so very much for being the first to respond to this really sentimental HUB for me... I got the idea to share Mom's writings initially from my only (older) sister, who is now very much like a Mother to me (yet a friend as well...) as she shared some of Mom's words in her Christmas cards and got such a beautiful response...
I truly wanted Mom's words and lessons to be a comfort to other daughters (and sons) during this Easter season... for she was "that" kind of Mom... but it sounds like from your insightful comment that you already knew that...
Please take care, until next time...
Marcoujor, as usual simply beautiful. I am sure your Mom is somewhere happy and smiling at this tribute.All the best for the Easter Holidays.
Yes, Pamela, my Mom was awesome indeed and would have been quite amazed at this reaction... so modest... but I do thank you for your insightful feedback and hope you are having a beautiful Easter season.
Thanks for this beautiful Hub. I am in tears right now. I miss my mom and my daughter and I love your love for yours.
marcoujor, it sounds like you had such a deep and wonderful relationship with your mum. How proud she is of you for the woman you are and for applying the wisdom she taught for you to live an abundant love-full life. A truly truly beautiful tribute.....
Stay Blessed.
What a gift your mother was (is!) to you. And what a lovely way to honor her. Thank you for sharing and giving us an idea how we need to be with our own kids.
Dr Ope~~ Thank you so much for your ongoing support of my writing... I do feel Mom all around me with her memory.
Hope all is well and that you are also enjoying a lovely Easter holiday season.
Oh tender hyphenbird... may your tears bring you some relief and some comfort along with the joy/ memories your Mom and daughter added to your life, as my Mom did to mine...please take good care and thank you so much for your very sweet comment.
Hi marcoujor, This is just a great Easter tribute to your mom, she is in a place now where there is no more pain or suffering for her and she is enjoying a joyous peace !
Hi beautiful Ashantina~~ Thank you, I know Mom was really proud of me, my sister and my two brothers because she told me all the time that she was... she had a real "give the person flowers when they were alive" mentality which I really appreciate and try to emulate...
You honestly write poetry that should be published far and wide-- so for you to tell me to "give it a whirl" is humbling and a little unnerving... but don't be surprised if I don't send some little efforts your way one day for review... thank you for that nudge.
Take care and will stop in to see you soon...
dearabbysmom~~ You are such a warm and lovely person to even leave a comment such as yours... when I read your articles (like the BAKLAVA...!!!), my dear you already ARE that kind of MAMMA and I know your children appreciate that each and every day...
Hope you all had a beautiful Easter and thank you so much!
kashmir56~~ Yes, absolutely, I am really glad and I picture Mom as a very pretty girl in her early 20s in heaven now... very carefree and happy/ no pain or difficulty walking at all...that brings me much comfort.
Hope all is well with you & that cute pooch! Thank you for stopping by...
I love your 'alphabet' that your Mom created to show you the true meaning of life. You have taught us something of passing life lessons down to each and every one of us. Thank you for sharing this wonderful hub with whomever may read this.
Dear Cici2hip4u~~ As with any true learning, Mom taught us this alphabet by "living the principles" in her everyday life...She would be so proud of her great grandson who honors her by planting a little sillyband in the shrubs near her gravestone~~ I thought that as I saw all the showy Easter bouquets at the cemetary (not that they weren't thoughtful and heartfelt, I am sure). But Mom would truly appreciate that little silly band and the act of sincere love behind it...
I really appreciate you stopping by and take care.
What a beautiful person and wise mom. We always love them, always.
"a"~~ I could not agree with you more about everything you have said... and thank you for stopping in again to read my writings. Have a good day, mar
Hi,
Thank you for sharing this beautiful hub with us.
I am sure that your mum has a big and warm smile for you.
Take care
Eiddwen.
How beautiful and very much appreciated as this is exactly what I needed to run across at this moment in time. A very dear friend of mine just lost his mother this past Saturday, the day before Easter. My heart breaks for him, you and everyone who have lost their dear mothers. I love your Easter Meditations A Mothers Lessons, very much appreciated. :) Katie
You are most welcome, Eiddwen~~ and I thank you very much for your comforting comments also.
Hope all is well and that you have a good day.
katiem2~~ Ah, so very difficult, as I well know, to lose someone so very close days before a special day (for me it was Mother's Day)... I am sorry for your friend's loss and glad this was a bit of a comfort to you, dear one.
Thinking of you and hoping you had a really special Easter with the women in your life. Take care.
See, see why junk drawers are so important. They hold really special treasures! :)
This was beautiful Mar. What wonderful memories written from the heart. I have no doubt your mother would be so proud. After a mother is gone, coming across these glimpses of special memories from time to time are so wonderful.
About a year ago, I was cleaning out some things at my Dad's house and came across a large piece of newspaper that was laminated. When I flipped it over, tears began to run down my cheeks. It was a copy of the first comic strip that I had published. She was obviously so proud of me that she kept this and had it laminated. It was very touching.
Thank you so much for sharing your wonderful memories and life lessons.
Sharyn
Oh, Sharyn... The Gift of the Magi... we were reading each others HUBS and essentially "on the same page"... in the sharing/ appreciating of life's lessons.
How touching about your treasured published comic strip/ I love hearing about that! Thank you & take care...
This was a very lovely hub, and your mom must have been wonderful. How blessed you are to have so many good memories of her. You will always be in her heart in Heaven, and shewill always be in your heart on Earth. God Bless You Precious heart.
Wow!! An awesome Mother daughter relationship!! You seem to have learned your lessons well.. I have learned most of those lessons on my own...but the seeds were sowed by my father a long while a ago.. a hub full of wisdom.. that only fools can shun!! :) Awesome !!
mother knows best! Nice hub.
stars439~~
After reading your most inspirational story of the love/ caring for your daughter last evening, you will forever be a paternal figure in my mind... and your comment of me being in Mom's heart and her being in mine is so utterly beautiful and true.../ I have never regarded it like that and will forever do so now...
Thank you and bless you, dear man. Keep feeling better...
sofs~~ I know you have learned these lessons/ it is so evident from your insightful writings... sounds like you had a wonderful Father.
Thank you so much for stopping in and reflecting in such a caring manner~~ take good care.
I really appreciate you stopping in to read this, Marilyn and very nice to "meet you"~~ take care!
Marcoujor, what a beautiful and awesome tribute to a very loving and wise mother. It was a great honor to read. Godspeed. creativeone59
creativeone59~~ I am touched by your warm and loving comments. They mean so much, and I thank you.
Hope you are having a peaceful weekend. Take care.
I loved this, marcoujor! Especially your beautiful tribute to the memories of your momma's life and what she meant to you. The alphabet of life, is wonderful...great hub! Voted it up and awesome!! :D
Thanks, shygirl2~~ Your kind comments and votes mean so very much. I am really glad you enjoyed the alphabet.
Take care and have a good evening.
marcoujor sincere revelations. Very interesting. VOTED UP! RATED BEAUTIFUL!!
mdlawyer~~
Thank you ever so much for your kind comment and your votes as well... please take care.
This is truly awesome and what a beutiful person your mother must have been.
I am bookmarking this one and I am honoured to be a follower.
At times a hub will touch our hearts , sometimes we don't know why.
I can honestly say that your words have touched my heart today, I am so glad that I made the desicion to join everyone on here a year ago.
I know that I have grown as a person and writer.
I'm sure that there is one very proud mother looking down on you.
Take care and God bless.
Eiddwen.
Eiddwen~~
I don't believe anyone has ever bookmarked me! Your comments have truly touched me. I feel the same way about so many of the dear people I have "met" in this supportive community, and I thank you so much for being one of them. Have a wonderful day.
Hello ms mar and Aunt Baby. Just checking out your 'Mother' writings, wow, such a beautiful tibute. Your Mom sounds like a very wise person, this explains a lot about you. Regards s lane
Dear snakeslane,
It's been awhile since I've I've read this and I thank you from the bottom of my heart for visiting. Mom was indeed the wisest person I will probably ever know.
May you have a beautiful week and see you soon, mar.
Mar, I love reading about your mom because the love between you two comes through clearly.
Thank you for sharing your mom's journal entries from 2002. I especially noticed this:
"I want you to slow down and do things just for yourself instead of always duty and chores."
It seems that your writing is for yourself, but it's also for her, your fur angels, your friends, for anyone and everyone. Your mom's wish came true.
The Alphabet of Life gives great guidance through all situations.
"X'amine your face" reminds me that stress expresses itself often in the face, which is the part of the body which often shows the most external "wear and tear."
Peacefulness, which "is essential in life", is achieved through learning all the other letters. Religion does indeed reveal itself in how you live your life; for any confusion on this point, review the alphabet.:-)
Fur angels make a huge difference, whether they live with us or see them elsewhere in our lives. "Zoos and animals can be kinder than people."
Wonderful guidance!
Kind regards, Stessily
Dear Stessily,
"It seems that your writing is for yourself, but it's also for her, your fur angels, your friends, for anyone and everyone. Your mom's wish came true."
This statement means the world to me. You have thoroughly captured the essence of what I find beautiful and peaceful in my written expression.
Thank you for your thoughtful and insightful comments about this most sentimental piece in my collection. I know you can especially relate because of the closeness you shared with your own wonderful Mother.
Many hugs, mar.
Passing along to my Mom who will be 104 in October 2012 and is still Mom. What a blessing to have my Mom all of my lifetime so far and to still have nice visits with her each day by phone and sometimes in person, even though we are 2,300 miles apart. I know she will enjoy this and I can thank her for her words of wisdom, too. Up and beautiful.
Dear Perspycacious,
Oh how your comment has touched me deep in my heart and soul. How rare and beautiful to still have the love and wisdom of your dear Mother at the age of 103... and to still be such close contact with her.
Thank you ever so much for stopping by and for sharing this with your Mom. Please give her my love and enjoy her each and every day you are blessed enough to have her with you. She sounds incredible! Hugs, Maria
Great hub, loved the alphabet which I'm sure, resonates with most of us. My mam is still my touchstone and I am grateful every day for it. Your mum clearly meant the world to you and it is testament to her grace and goodness that your hub about her has touched so many of us.
Jools99--
Thank you so much for your thoughtful comment. I am so happy your mam is still in your life and you have such a close relationship with such a special lady.
Please take care and enjoy your day, mar.
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Car51 Level 2 Commenter 12 months ago
Oh, marcoujor, I'm sure this first Easter without your Mom was tough. Sounds like you were a loving daughter with lots of happy memories! May her wise words (and your own writing) bring you comfort.