An Example For All

Hi Everybody,

It's been two months since my last post. My intention is to be more regular. Not making any excuses, but my mother recently passed away.

She was 88 years old and had been living in a local nursing home for the past year and a half. She spent her time in bed or in her wheelchair. She suffered from dementia and could not finish a sentence, but she always knew her visitors and maintained her sense of humor, always able to laugh at the appropriate times. She loved to laugh. That was her most admirable quality (among many admirable qualities). Especially, she had no trouble laughing at herself. Whenever asked about how she felt, her response was always, "No aches or pains". She was one of the kindest persons you could ever meet. She never spoke a bad word about anyone. Whenever I would phone her after not calling her for a week or two, (this is when she was living at home in Schenectady, NY) there was never any tone of annoyance or reprimand for my neglect; there was only love and a sincere interest in what was going in my life and the lives of my wife and kids.

My mother was a true Christian. She went to Mass regularly and participated quietly as a Eucharistic Minister and an active member of the Women's club. But more than just the externals of a Christian life, she led a Christian life in practice every day. She mentored folks who wanted to become Baptised in the Catholic Church and volunteered in her local hospital for years and years. She quietly served others in a humble Christlike manner, never looking for any accolades, just giving of her time and talents so that others' lives could be better.

She got pneumonia three weeks ago and was not able to fight it off. All her family took the opportunity and dropped what they were doing to be at her side during her last days, travelling from Seattle, Boston, Vermont and Rhode Island to show their love. She spent her last days peacefully in the VNS Hospice House in East Northport on Long Island. I feel blessed to have been able to spend many days with her, especially that final Sunday before she died, sitting by her bedside playing my guitar and singing to her.

She had a beautiful wake and funeral in her hometown. It was a celebration of her life. A life well lived by a woman who had her share of sorrows as well as joys. I look forward to the day when I will be reuinted with her in the heavenly bliss that awaits us all.

In the meantime I intend to live my life the way she did: seeing the Godly side of everyone I meet and spreading joy and happiness to all who cross my path.

Whew..., that took a lot out of me.

Peace to all.