LIVE.LOVE.LAUGH
I never thought the day you dropped me off at nursery school you would actually leave me. But then again, I never thought you would leave me at 32 years old either. I sit here and think how life isn’t always fair, but I think I felt that way when I was 3. I was a shy, little mommies girl hiding behind glasses, who thought life did not go on with out you. You did however come back that day in 1970.
I never thought the day you dropped me off at nursery school you would actually leave me. But then again, I never thought you would leave me at 32 years old either. I sit here and think how life isn’t always fair, but I think I felt that way when I was 3. I was a shy, little mommies girl hiding behind glasses, who thought life did not go on with out you. You did however come back that day in 1970.
I figured out ways even in kindergarten to be able to call you during the day. I would do everything from peeing on the floor during circle time, to unscrewing my glasses so that you would have to come to school For me. I finally just learned to wait until I got home from school to see you. There you were, every day, sitting outside with Sam waiting for me to get off the bus. I don’t know what it was about coming home that was just so comfortable.
Mom, you always had just the right thing to say, or knew the right time for a hug or a hand to hold. I could always so easily fall asleep because of the comfort you brought. You knew when I was sad, mad, or just needed to be with you.
My mom was not just your ordinary mom. She had many struggles of her own. From the time she was just a little girl she had to deal with sickness that not very many kids had to fight. She was always so strong and positive no matter what. Nana and Papa, (her mom and dad) had to leave her at a hospital when she was just 9 years old so that she could be treated for polio. But she once again, being the strong person she was smiled for every picture and I’m sure said good-bye with a big hug and kiss reassuring my grandparents she would be fine. She defied all odds, she finally walked without braces or crutches!
My mom was not just your ordinary mom. She had many struggles of her own. From the time she was just a little girl she had to deal with sickness that not very many kids had to fight. She was always so strong and positive no matter what. Nana and Papa, (her mom and dad) had to leave her at a hospital when she was just 9 years old so that she could be treated for polio. But she once again, being the strong person she was smiled for every picture and I’m sure said good-bye with a big hug and kiss reassuring my grandparents she would be fine. She defied all odds, she finally walked without braces or crutches!
Defying all odds was something that she got to be known for. She was told that having babies would not be easy. 1 baby, 2 miscarriages, and 2 more babies later, she proved everyone wrong! 3 kids with her high school sweetheart (my amazing dad!) made for a pretty incredible family. She still always had to be very careful, but that didn’t stop her. We still traveled, boated, swam, she did everything and anything to make sure her kids grew up happy and loving life. That’s what she did and that’s what she taught us, to love life.
Fast forward to my mom at 59 years old....
8 weeks in the hospital with many complications from an opened heart valve. A heart transplant was considered by the whole family, we decided against it. My mom fought so hard, just as she had proven to always do and win. She would have to be transferred to another hospital only to be accepted as a candidate. She had so many other problems that she may not have even made it through the transfer. As a family we had decided that she had fought as hard as she could. Sunday, April 11th,1999, I asked my sister to call me from the hospital room and put the phone to her ear. I told her how much I loved her. I told her that she had fought hard enough that it was time to just close her eyes and go to sleep. I told her that I wished that I could be half the mom to my kids that she was to me. I told her how much I admired her and looked up to her. I told her that it was time and that everyone would be O.K. and that we would take care of each other. I told her again how much I loved her. Lisa took the phone as everyone was by her side. And not but 40 minutes later did my phone ring, Mom has passed away.
Fast forward 17 years...
2 beautiful girls who will never get to meet their grandma/great grandma, will share the beauty of being named for her. Sadie Joy and Lucy Joy, may you grow to be as strong and as beautiful as your namesake, Sandra Joy.
