There she sat in all of her regal and majestic glory.
The queen of the pride, the wise and graceful lioness, watched in quiet glee as her cubs gathered around her to eat. There might have been some gray in that mane, but there was still a youthful exuberance shinning in those eyes.
Content.
Happy.
At ease with life.
That was the best way to describe my mother tonight as she dined with her sons, her "daughters" (having raised only boys, she prefers to call them her daughters and not daughters in law), and finally her beautiful grand children. She may have failed to express her feelings in words, but I could read it in her face and her demeanor. Everyone home in one place.
The queen of the pride, the wise and graceful lioness, watched in quiet glee as her cubs gathered around her to eat. There might have been some gray in that mane, but there was still a youthful exuberance shinning in those eyes.
Content.
Happy.
At ease with life.
That was the best way to describe my mother tonight as she dined with her sons, her "daughters" (having raised only boys, she prefers to call them her daughters and not daughters in law), and finally her beautiful grand children. She may have failed to express her feelings in words, but I could read it in her face and her demeanor. Everyone home in one place.
Today my baby brother arrived at Hartzfield at 9:05 AM from Germany on a military charter. Just three or four days ago (he really was not sure as he was so tired) he was sweating in the "winter" in Baghdad. Now he was showered, freshly clothed, and after an afternoon at the J. W. Marriott with his wife, Uncle Mike Mike was back in the world.
We were gorging ourselves on Brazilian gaucho style barbeque. Children experimented with new tastes and culinary sensations. Even my nephew was in rare form for a two year old hellion. Everyone was smiling, joking, laughing, just having a good time. Tonight we were drunk on happiness and joy while our bowels were packing with steak.
My mother lost her father while in college. We lost my Grandma Peggy while I was in high school. Sometime after that, my mother lost her somewhat estranged brother unexpectedly. Finally, her remaining sibling, her sister, her best friend in the entire world, succumbed to cancer over 10 years ago. My mother is alone.
This evening, however, she was surrounded by her children and grandchildren. Her entire world was centered there at one table, celebrating life, celebrating family, celebrating just breaking bread together. She was happy. She was not alone.
I have never really appreciated everything that my mother did for me, or for that matter, continues to do for me as we pass through this journey together. Unfortunately, in the passage of this final year before "middle age," I have come to the realization, that someday I will not be able to call my mom, my strength, my bastion of Irish-Catholic wisdom and guidance. The realization has taken root that, as all time must move forward, I might have to say good bye to that wonderful lioness. I hope, ney I pray, that this does not come for many, many, many moons.
This evening, however, will be one of my fondest memories of my wonderful mother. In those dark days sometime in the future when I will not be able to hear her voice, I will still have this moment to remember. This seemingly insgnificant instant in time will last forever in my heart, and I will find solace in the fact that she was happy.
I love you Mom, more than you will ever know. You gave me a wonderful example of everything a person should be, and I hope that I make you proud. The love you have held in your heart only becomes ever more apparent as I watch my daughters grow.
Proud lioness, I only ask one thing of you this day -- you have to go last, don't leave me with Dad.
We were gorging ourselves on Brazilian gaucho style barbeque. Children experimented with new tastes and culinary sensations. Even my nephew was in rare form for a two year old hellion. Everyone was smiling, joking, laughing, just having a good time. Tonight we were drunk on happiness and joy while our bowels were packing with steak.
My mother lost her father while in college. We lost my Grandma Peggy while I was in high school. Sometime after that, my mother lost her somewhat estranged brother unexpectedly. Finally, her remaining sibling, her sister, her best friend in the entire world, succumbed to cancer over 10 years ago. My mother is alone.
This evening, however, she was surrounded by her children and grandchildren. Her entire world was centered there at one table, celebrating life, celebrating family, celebrating just breaking bread together. She was happy. She was not alone.
I have never really appreciated everything that my mother did for me, or for that matter, continues to do for me as we pass through this journey together. Unfortunately, in the passage of this final year before "middle age," I have come to the realization, that someday I will not be able to call my mom, my strength, my bastion of Irish-Catholic wisdom and guidance. The realization has taken root that, as all time must move forward, I might have to say good bye to that wonderful lioness. I hope, ney I pray, that this does not come for many, many, many moons.
This evening, however, will be one of my fondest memories of my wonderful mother. In those dark days sometime in the future when I will not be able to hear her voice, I will still have this moment to remember. This seemingly insgnificant instant in time will last forever in my heart, and I will find solace in the fact that she was happy.
I love you Mom, more than you will ever know. You gave me a wonderful example of everything a person should be, and I hope that I make you proud. The love you have held in your heart only becomes ever more apparent as I watch my daughters grow.
Proud lioness, I only ask one thing of you this day -- you have to go last, don't leave me with Dad.
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