My Mother's gone...a 3 year tribute

[Braves]

I was thinking about Dave Newman's eulogy to his mother and how sad that was to me that he didn't have a good relationship with her.

I lost my mother two days ago and I, too, must give a eulogy.

But my situation was different. You see, my mother raised 7 kids and yet she had time for each one of us. She had the ability to make each one feel special and that each one was her favorite.
She had so much love in her that even my bad ass brother learned to develop love from her example.

I don't mind telling you that I'm hurting. I hurt for losing the umbilical cord that even though I'm no longer a kid, I was always her kid. If I was hurting I still could go see or call Mom and the hurt would go away..I'm hurting now and she's not here..I love her and miss her..and I guess now it's time to grow up.

But Damn..I miss her...and in a way only a son would know.

[mathmajors]

Sorry to hear it Braves. I'm trying to hang on to my mom too.

Make the eulogy a celebration.:)

[cltbuilder]

Sorry to hear that Braves. She sounds like she was a fine example of a woman.

[Lainey]

Oh Braves. I am so sorry. Your post is so sweet and it is making me cry. Your mother was so fortunate to have a son like you.

[Braves]

I'm crying too

[Puttingood]

Very sorry to hear that she has passed away Braves.

[mramailman]

Braves I am very sorry for your loss, it sounds as if you had a great mom. :(

[Stargazer]

I am so sorry, Braves. My mom is getting to the age where I'm beginning to worry about losing her. It will be the saddest day of my life. My heart goes out to you. I wish you luck with your eulogy.

[SilverSurfer]

Sorry about that Braves. I don't think I could do it if my mother died. I would be too torn up to speak. She raised up some good kids judging from the one I know.

[jbghostrat]

Man! I'm sorry Braves!

geez, i'm speechless! i'll brb!

[magnus]

damn...sorry to hear. I don't think I could stand to have that happen right now.

[sadic1]

I'm so sorry, Braves. I'm sure she's proud to know how her love lives on in her kids and other's she's touched.

[Braves]

I want to tell you guys something..My wife, friends and family have wondered why I'm handling it so well, but I was too busy to think about it.

You guys our the first ones I have shared my feelings with ( I'm sure Sadic would have a field day with that ) Just kidding Sadic.

But I'm glad you guys specifically were online tonight. I have always felt a special bond with you and you guys are what made the other R&R special. I miss you guys too.

[Lainey]

You've made me pause to think. The relationship between a mother and a son is so very special. I love my daughter so very much but, there is something more to my relationship with my son. He is my champion, my defender, my pal, my heart and my soul. I am the first woman in his life. The female responsible for showing him love, nurturing, and affection. I need to help him stay grounded but learn to soar.

Sorry for the sermon, Braves. Anyway, you're in my thoughts and prayers. {{BRAVES}}

[Braves]

Originally posted by Lainey
You've made me pause to think. The relationship between a mother and a son is so very special. I love my daughter so very much but, there is something more to my relationship with my son. He is my champion, my defender, my pal, my heart and my soul. I am the first woman in his life. The female responsible for showing him love, nurturing, and affection. I need to help him stay grounded but learn to soar.

Sorry for the sermon, Braves. Anyway, you're in my thoughts and prayers. {{BRAVES}}

That's it exactly Lainey. Something only a mother and her son would know and understand.

[Fred]

Braves- it has been 7 1/2 years for me. I thought I never would be able to handle it if I lost my mother- but I did. When someone is brought up with a great Mom as I was and as obviously you were too, they instill you with an inner strength to get through things without you ever knowing it. Dealing with the loss never gets "easy" but each and every day you learn to handle it better. May God bless you and your family. I'll say an extra one for you tonight.
-Tom

[Braves]

Thanks Tom..for the prayers and support. You are a special person.

[Couz]

Sorry to hear of your loss.

[gutter]

Nothing beats the love of a mother. If something is bothering me, I know I can always call her and she'll make me feel better. Hang in there. We are all rooting for you.:(

[RSgal]

I'm so sorry to hear of your loss Braves, I'll keep you and your family in my prayers.

[Fro]

Rest In Peace.

[wossa]

So sorry to hear about your loss Braves.

She sounds like a helluva person. It's nice to have such great memories. I'm gonna miss mine but hopefully that will be many years away.

[Coops Greatest Fan]

Sorry Braves to hear of your loss. Any relationship between and mother and her children is very special. My mom and I are not just mother and daughter, we are best friends. If I lost her tomorrow, I don't know what I'd do. She's the one I turn to when I need a shoulder to cry on. She's also the one that shares my love of football. (I know that's probably a first...a mother and daughter both with the love of football!). Just know that Mom is in a good place and that she obviously loved you and your siblings while she was here. Hang in there.....we're all here for you!

Edit for grammatical errors!

[HighPoint49er]

My thoughts and prayers are with you Braves. Mothers are the most special blood kin. They always know what's best. For 42 years I never really understood my mother until I had my heart attack and subsequent seperation of my wife. Mom stood by me foricbly, mightibly and most definitely lovingly through all of it the past 20 months. She's hung tough with me through everything and I don't think I could've survived without her.

God bless her and you as well Braves. She is watching over you now in peace.

[BabeBryant]

i hate crying...

[Y2Buddy]

Braves you are in my prayers. I'm so sorry to hear about the loss of your Mom. 7 kids, oh my. It sounds like she had a very fulfilling life and she was blessed.

[McFly41]

I am not real good with knowing what to say in a situation like this, so I'll stick with...Sorry, for your loss.

Just a word of advice, don't mourn her death so much. Rather, celebrate her life.

[PhotoGuy]

I don't know about any of you, but times like this when someone you know loses a loved one, especially mom or dad, makes me realize how much I take for granted. I still have both parents and I moved 800 miles from them 4 years ago. I spent the past 10 years trying to be independent and away from them. My older brother always seemed to be closest to them and after he married, he bought a house near them in the next town over. I have not been close to my family since I left.

My mom recently discovered that she had a tumor in her stomach and she would need surgery and many further examinations afterwards. Mrs Photo and I packed up our 2 year old and flew to Chicago to see my family while everything is going well. Good news is that the tumor was malignant but the doctors will continue testing and doing scans and a bunch of other stuff.

Growing up, I never thought about my mom and dad going anywhere... a kid just dosn't think about things like that. I always thought they would be there for me and grow old like my grandparents. I don't know how I would handle losing my parents. I personally don't deal with stuff like that very well. Hearing about someone's loss gives me a reality check and I realize that any of us can go at any time and I am grateful for every day God gives me... even with all the crap I have to deal with on a daily basis, I am happy to be alive. Life is too short to get pissed off and stressed out over stupid little things. Live life to the fullest while you can and value everyone who's in your life and let them know they are loved... don't wait till it's too late.

Braves - I'm sending out a prayer for you and your family and your mom. She must have been a really special person in your life. Never let go of all the things she gave you and taught throughout your life. She is now in a good place looking down proudly on you and your family.

[LarryD]

so sorry, braves. so deeply sorry.

i know the day will come for me. it will take everything my mom has taught me to help get me through it. there will be an unfillable hole left in my heart, my mind and my soul when she's gone.

when i lived in charlotte, i talked to her alomost every day. now, of course, i see her every day. it's a blessing. i hope i am able to comprehend the magnitude of that gift while she's still alive.

again, i'm deeply sorry. grieve as you must.

[Inamorata]

I'm so sorry. :(


That just sucks! :(


It's so nice to hear of a good parent child relationship. Those are very special.

[voyergirl]

my condolences to you and your family braves. i had just read a thread earlier today where in you wrote a letter to jb. you have now touched my heart twice today and i feel for your loss. my parents are still young (50 and 55) and i can only pray i have them a lot longer. i want my children to grow up knowing them as i do. not just as parental figures, but as good people. it seems as though you were lucky enough to not only have her as your mother, but as your extra special friend aswell. i have read through this thread and photoguy summed it up very well already.
celebrate her life and her accomplishments you will never truly say goodbye to her, you will never loose any of the love you feel for her, and you will never forget her. look up in the sky at night, focus on a star and i bet she'll wink back at you.
angels are good people, your mom was a good person.

[Braves]

Thanks everybody. I'm going to print this and keep it

[Honeygirl]

Braves, I'm so sorry for your loss.

I have to admit to reading this earlier, and not being able to reply immediately - as the subject is very raw for me (my Mum is going into hospital soon for yet another operation). I cannot even imagine what you're going through right now - but I know that the ache of losing a parent must be just indescribeable.

Your mother sounded like a wonderful woman - and no doubt that you will mourn her loss for a long time to come.

My prayers are with you and your family tonight.

[Puttingood]

bump

[meatpile]

I just saw this.

Sounds like she had alot of folks that loved her.

Sorry, braves.

[flyfisher]

I'm sorry and wish you the strength to hang in there. When my father had his stroke I felt eveything just crumbling away. To loose my parents is unimaginable.
She will always be looking over you. She is your guardian angel. Peace.

[muff_spelunker]

My deepest sympathy to you and your family, Braves. May your mother rest in peace.

Mramailman and Honeygirl: I wish the best for your mother's health. Please keep us posted of their progress.

[Patti]

Braves as you can tell you have a lot of friends on this board that are thinking of you today, and that includes me. It is good to have friends like this that you can talk to when you might not be able to talk to others about what is really on your mind.

I'll just echo what a lot of people have already said about celebrating your mother's life. Just from what you have told us about her she had a wonderful life in that she raised 7 children and taught them about love and understanding. This world is a better place because she left it with offspring to do the same with their children. All children need to know that type of love.

Let your memories of her help you through this.

[barracuda]

Sorry to hear that.

[voyergirl]

Originally posted by muff_spelunker

Mramailman and Honeygirl: I wish the best for your mother's health. Please keep us posted of their progress.

and Math's mum also, the prayers are there for all of you.

[BigMark]

I los tmy dad about a year ago after not talking with him for the last two years of his life. My thoughts a prayers are with you and your family.

[WilliamJ]

condolances to you and your family...
I burried my Grandmother on Wednesday...
It's rough...

[voyergirl]

i am sorry bill............

[Sportsgirl]

Braves, what heartbreaking news! :( My condolences to you and your family during this very difficult time.

[tamera67]

[Make the eulogy a celebration.:) [/B]

Through your tears, Braves, share your memory of your mother. It will be hard, but the thoughts will carry you through.

I am sorry to hear about your loss.

[reb]

Mrs. Reb and I will be thinking about you Braves. I lost my father ten years ago and I still miss him. I wish I had the relationship with my mother that you had with yours.

[Braves]

Well, I did it and it's over......

It was amazing that I was thinking of the many responses from you guys prior to her memorial. I spoke with NO ONE from my family prior to the eulogy. I just wanted to focus on what I was going to say.

You were right Silver. It was the toughest thing I have ever done.
Allow me to share one story about her with you guys and then Putt, please delete this thread:

When my oldest son was 4, we were visiting my Mom. At 7:30 in the morning, I looked out the back window and there she was pitching a baseball to my son. Each time he would hit it , he would say, " Grandma, go get it ". This went on for hours until her arm got tired. It became a ritual everytime we visited. One night the kitchen door was closed and I decided to peek in to see what was going on. There they were, my son and my Mom, just dancing away like they were Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers, well my son was more like Pee Wee Herman.

My son is now 15 almost 16 and my Mom's health had taken a toll on her physically. She moved slowly and her back was always hurting. My Mom and Dad lived at the beach, but came to Charlotte in March for a funeral. She didn't look well and didn't have much energy and went to bed early.

The next morning I could hear laughter and yelling in my back yard. I looked out the window and was absolutely stunned. There she was pitching a baseball to my 4 year old son. And each time he would hit it, he would say " Grandma..go get it " and she would. I watched for 30 minutes, speechless, while this was going on. I didn't say anything to her when they came in as my 4 year old was dominating the discussion about Grandma not throwing the ball right. He wanted her to throw it overhand, while she was throwing it underhand. This went on for awhile, so I left them to their argument.

That night, I was looking for her to give her her medicine. I heard music, laughter and shouting coming from my little one's room...Opening the door, I was shocked....there they were, my Mom and my 4 year old..dancing in their own little world. They didn't know I was there. I quickly closed the door, so I wouldn't interrupt their fun.

For that one day, my Mom was 30 years old again..having the time of her life..enjoying her grandchildren.

Well, she's gone now, but I'll relay a message I mentioned in my eulogy:

" ....We will see her again, but don't be surprised when you do see her, that she will be pitching a ball to God..and telling him to keep his hands up "

God Bless her and all of you for your kind responses.

Braves

[Puttingood]

Braves, I am very proud to call you my friend. It is my honor to know you. You will do well with the heartbreak you are facing now and always in life. There are special people in this world and you, sir, are one of them.
Thanks for touching my life.:)

[cltbuilder]

That's a wonderful thing to say about a woman that obviously touched many many great lives.

[Braves]

Thanks Putt for your kind words..you know the feeling is mutual.

[PantherPaul]

Man, what a gutt shot! I never really knew my father as he and my mom were divorced early in my life. That and he wasn't much into being a dad so he wasn't part of my life. So I have always had a strong relationship with my mom and it continues to this day. She is 67 and going stronger than most women half her age. I know death is part of life but I can't imagine not having her around. A few people have already eluded to what I think, that you can't take family for granted. Staying in touch and being part of each others lives is so important as is the health of you and your family. It seems people are so caught up in making the big dollar, driving the nice car or having the best at whatever when the most important thing is sleeping with you or right down the hall. Family. My grandmom died maybe 15 years back and it was not a pleasent way to go. She had a stroke and it reduced a vabriant woman to someone who couldn't talk or talk or take care of herself. As bad as all of this was it gave my mom and her a way of reconnecting with each other. It definately put life into perspective for me. No longer did I have to see "the game", read the box score, or go to wherever to get through the day. I realized that family, both extended and close were so much more important than the game that will still be played regardless if I am there to watch it. Celebrate her life by hugging those still with you.

[Braves]

I was thinking about my Mom today and didn't realize that it was just 3 years ago...and I still miss her badly.

[mathmajors]

I was thinking about my Mom today and didn't realize that it was just 3 years ago...and I still miss her badly.
Two and a half for me. I think about mine all the time.

[Braves]

Dayum..if it didn't bring tears to my eyes reading this for the first time since it was posted.

I'm truly sorry for your loss Math..I can honestly say that I know how you feel.

[mathmajors]

Dayum..if it didn't bring tears to my eyes reading this for the first time since it was posted.

I'm truly sorry for your loss Math..I can honestly say that I know how you feel.
I feel the same about yours and everyone else that loses a parent.

[Destiny]

I was thinking about my Mom today and didn't realize that it was just 3 years ago...and I still miss her badly.
Braves, I am sorry for the loss of your mom. In reading this, it gave me a completely different perspective, because grief can feel so lonely.
I lost my mom a year ago. Speaking at her funeral was surreal, I still don't know how I did it. Her memories will always lay heavily on my mind. Aside from my boys she was all I had, that made me feel loved.

Know that you and Math are in my thoughts, because nothing replaces the love of a mom..

[jazzbluescat]

It's been ten since my mom passed, eleven for my dad. I thank God everyday for having had the honor of knowing them.

Very sorry for everyone's and Braves' losses.

[Puttingood]

Dayum..if it didn't bring tears to my eyes reading this for the first time since it was posted.


me too