Friday, January 21, 2022
Hi, I am Mary's oldest child and daughter, Lucille
As many of you know, my Mom experienced dizziness and trouble with balance. Despite these ailments, her passion for life and the things she enjoyed taking pleasure from outweighed her disabilities. She was and will continue to be an inspiration to us all for living life as she could to the fullest. She enjoyed her interactions with her family both near and far.
What is a mother, in all it’s splendor.
In formal definition A mother is a protector, disciplinarian and friend. A mother is a selfless, loving human who must sacrifice many of their wants and needs for the wants and needs of their children. A mother works hard to make sure their child is equipped with the knowledge, skills and abilities to make it as a competent human being.
My mother and me.
Mary and I had our frequent connection by phone. And now looking back I can see how much she had to overcome to be the long distance mother she was to me, being so far away. As many of you are aware of, my mother and I were not particularly as close as I wished we had been. Although we had our differences, many over the years, I learned some incredible lessons from her about the love between a mother and daughter. Patience, strength, creativity, forbearance, acceptance, and mutual respect. My mother experienced many challenges in raising me as her only daughter and faced them head on with incredible strength, love and acceptance given the generation she comes from. She endured the sacrifice of seeing me and respecting my choice to live a life so far away.
Treading lightly today, looking back 5 days ago was the last time I will ever talk to her on the phone. It is the longest time for me in many years to not hear her voice and hear her tell me she loved me. We talked a lot and told the stories of our days which she enjoyed sharing and I enjoyed hearing about. She would want to know what I was making for dinner and since she loved food so much she would tell me what I was missing or what about this instead. She wanted to hear about my children's lives and what they were up to and how the dog was doing. She was so eager to see pictures and see Emma in her wedding gown, which she never did see in person. And on the other hand there were times I would call and I'd hear or receive a text saying..." I know you tried to call me. Tonight is the playoffs for the Yanks and the Red Sox. And I want the Yanks to win. So I'll talk to you tomorrow. Love you". She loved the game and it always made me giggle and happy she enjoyed it so much. It was something she shared with my brothers and a connection they enjoyed together.
A mother and her sons...
My brothers meant the world to her. Just like any other mother, but maybe more so because she's Italian, she had a special place in her heart for them. We would discuss her love for each of them and her feelings of protection for both of them. As their older sister, I promised her I would look out for them and keep the family spark alive in her absence.
My mom was loved by so many. I'm so appreciative to receive so many messages expressing your love for her and offerings of condolences. It makes my heart full to feel your love.
And as I step gently aside, and let the healing begin, I send all my love out to you.
In memory of my mother and our relationship I would like to read this poem by Gloria Dirla.
Though we march to a different drummer
We're all called to the table of life.
To share thoughts, opinions and values
Experiences - both joys and strife.
A two - sided coin hangs between us
And for each only one sides in sight
Both views show a different perspective
But in truth, they may both be right.
The game of life has indeed joined us
We cannot go our separate ways
We must all sit down together
And make rules so we all can play.
I love you, Always and forever, Mom.
