Friday, December 21, 2007

A Tribute to my Mother

Two years ago today my Mother passed away. Actually, I would love to forget this date, but because it is so close to Christmas, I know I will always remember it. Instead of dwelling on the hurt, I wanted to tell you who my Mother was:

Autobiography of a Great Mother

Written by a very appreciative daughter.

My parents adopted me, took me in and called me their own and never looked back. I was as much their flesh and blood as my brothers who were their natural children.

Being married to my Father, automatically introduced her into being a Social Worker for his patients. She met this challenge head on and used the situations to teach her children that life is very precious. She took her volunteer commitments as serious as if she drew a salary from it. No matter how hectic her schedule was, if you needed her she gave you the time you asked for and made you feel like nothing else was more important.
My Mother had great taste. She was not prude and knew the right amount of disclosure a garment should have to be drop-dead gorgeous without being too revealing. I trusted her and loved it when she helped me shop. She was beyond crafty. If my Mom sewed a garment, it rivaled Couture garments with French sewn seams and original details.
She was intelligent. Going back to college with me, she earned a 4.0 in her interior design courses. She managed all of our family’s finances. My Father once told me that he may have been the one to bring home the money, but the reason they had money left over was because of Mom’s good investments! She taught me that buying something I loved that was well made and valuable, was a better deal than buying something cheap – replacing it over and over again.
She was fiercely independent – and yet still a great wife and Mother. Mom took charge of anything that was placed in front of her. If disaster struck, she could think out a plan, not having to rely on anyone else. She had her own talents and used them. My Father trusted her actions and decisions without question.She was an amazing example of what a Christian woman should be, even in a time when women were not exactly looked up to. She was approachable and kind.

Mom was my best friend.

30 comments:

PAT said...

Julie, this post is absolutely beautiful. What a loving tribute to your Mother!

Thank you so much for sharing it with us!

Pat

Justabeachkat said...

Oh Julie! What an incredibly beautiful tribute to your Mom! I loved seeing all the photos. Your Mom was quite beautiful.

Merry Christmas!
Hugs!
Kat

Charmingdesigns said...

Thank you so much for sharing your wonderful story!! I just love your blog and getting to know you. I have to check out Laurie that photo site!! Love what you did with your photos!

Anonymous said...

I miss her!

Anonymous said...

Wow! I love it! Have I seen those photos before?

I miss her too.

Love ya Mom!

a pink-bee said...

What a beautiful woman your Mom, was inside and out. Thanks for sharing about her. :)
crystalxo

Anonymous said...

Dear Julie, what a beautiful tribute to your beautiful MOM, it has made us quite emotional here! She was a fine lady and we can see so are you :) Merry Christmas to you and your loved ones Julie :) Jenn and Jacqui

Deb said...

Dear Julie
Such a beautiful post to honour your wonderful Mum. I loved the photos ~ thank you for sharing them and your memories.
Deb

vivian said...

what a lovely tribute to your mom! You were blessed to have such a wonderful mom and she was a beautiful woman. I hope you and your family have a very merry christmas! hugs! vivian
ps.. I finished the miniature horse. check my blog! Tell me what you think..

Karen H. said...

Good Evening Julie,
I am just getting back from doing my Christmas shopping for the girls. This is such a beautiful story of your Mom. I must say she was beautiful as well. She sounded like the perfect wife and perfect Mother as well. Thank you so much for sharing this tribute of your Mom. Take care my friend and have a great evening. May God Bless You and Yours. "MERRY CHRISTMAS" to you and yours from our Family.

Hugs,
Karen H.

pedalpower said...

You've written a beautiful tribute to your mother...she sounds like she was a wonderful woman. And I bet you take after her.

Anonymous said...

I'm so sure your mother would be proud of you right now. It was a lovely story.

My PC is broken right now and I cant update my blog for Christmas. I'm very sad about that cause I had some lovely Christmas photos ready for you. Now I'm using my husbands laptop and wishing you a Merry Christmas!! Hugs Maria from Finland

Jenny Froh said...

I'm sorry for the loss of your mother. She was a beautiful woman! My mom just lost her mother 2 months ago and it would've been her 89th birthday this New Years Eve. You're mother is someone you can never forget or would ever want to:) What a lovely tribute you did for her.

Betty said...

Julie, your Mom was a beautiful woman inside and out. That was a beautiful tribute to her.

Robin said...

Julie,
This is so beautiful! My mom is in the hospital right now and we are all praying she gets better, but being reminded how much sacrifice our mothers made for their families and how they touched others....such a sweet story! Merry Christmas!

Anonymous said...

Julie - this is a beautiful tribute to your mother. You make me wish *I* had known her.

My mother passed away three, almost four years ago, and I feel the same way you do - she was larger than life and could do anything she set out do and to look gorgeous while doing it!

Thank you for sharing her with us.

~Andrea

Unknown said...

Oh Julie what a lovely piece of writing! Thank you for sharing it with all of us!

Unknown said...

She sounds like a wonderful, amazing woman and it's so touching to read about how close you were to her!

Gayla said...

Julie, I loved reading about your mom, and I know how you must miss her. Thank you for always sharing a little about your special, special family. I love reading your blog. I know your mother would be proud of your tribute. Take care and have a good Christmas.

Southern Heart said...

What a wonderful tribut to your mother...she was a beautiful, great lady! I so enjoyed reading about her, and seeing her photos.

Merry Christmas,

Andrea

Anonymous said...

Such a lovely tribute! Merry Christmas!

Anonymous said...

Her children rise up and bless her, and you have.

Naturegirl said...

Julie a most heartfelt tribute to your mothers memory...written and illustrated so beautifully.Your mother a treasure and always close..right there in your heart.

I have read through your profile and delight in seeing your pet Corgi! My Ginger passed away 7 yrs ago and seeing yours brings her memory back but for awhile. I posted a tribute to my mothers birthday I'd like you to read titled December Rose.
Wishing you comfort and peace as you hold your dear mothers memory close to you. hugging you NG xo

Angela @ Cottage Magpie said...

What a beautiful post and a wonderful tribute. Blessings to you this Christmas, and for a bountiful New Year!
~Angela :-)

Greenie Gardens said...

Your mother must be so proud of you! What a loving tribute to a special woman. She will live on in the stories you tell and love you share.

kari and kijsa said...

We wish a most blessed Christmas Day to you and your family from both of ours.

Merry Christmas,
kari & kijsa

Kim -today's creative blog said...

beautifully written. She sounds amazing.

LivingTheLife said...

Julie,
What a loving tribute to your incredible mother. Moms, well they just never leave our hearts...and your heart must overflow with such beautiful memories of her...and what a handsome couple your parents were...I know they both are so proud of you.

I saw the picture of your 81 year old dad...might I say...he is so very dapper and handsome...wish him a belated birthday from an admirer somewhere in Texas!

Blessings...
T

Essential Oil Premier University said...

Julie, thank you for visiting my home during the 2007 Virtual Holiday Home Tour.

I hope your New Year brings you health, happiness and the love of family.

Blessings,

Sher

Mrs. Jones said...

Your mother is absolutely gorgeous, and what a lovely tribute to her. Thanks for sharing this with us.