The Mothers Day Card

I found a Mother's Day card in the secretary.  I knew it was there.  I had seen it earlier this fall when I cleaned out the secretary and re-organized the cards and notepapers and address labels and envelopes.  Mental note - remember to give this to Agnes next Mother's Day.  The card was pink, with red-rimmed flowers, a couple of glued on jewels, and a nice sentiment about Love, Kindness, and Caring.  Perfect.

This morning I was thinking of what I could add to the drawer in her casket.  Ah ha!  The Mother's Day card!  I could write a note to include and it would be perfect.

So that I did.  I won't include the letter here, but I will re-cap the contents.  It is organized  - big surprise since I am all about organization when writing (even though I sometimes stray from my plan).  Four points of thanks.  #1 - accepting me into the family as the first daughter-in-law.  I was the first one to break into that tight group of 6.  I remember thinking about how close they were, and how close they all remain, and how different it was with my own family.  But from day 1, I was accepted.

#2 - her role of grandmother  What would I have done without her to take care of Megan, then Hilary, when Gary was harvesting or planting?  They were with their dad at home during the winter and times when he couldn't be in the field, but they spent a lot of time with Grandma, both before they entered school and after.  Since we maintained a Medaryville address so we could be in the school district, Deb stopped for them on the bus route.  Going to Grandma's was always the norm for days when our schedules included piano lessons, 4-H meetings, VBS, or swim lessons and there just wasn't enough time to run home and back again.  Plus she taught them great songs and how to bake with yeast.

#3 - being Gary's mother  She raised him to be a great husband, whether she realized it or not.  He helps around the house, can cook (sometimes better than I do), and is honest, responsible, loyal, and solid in his values and morals.  That comes from how he was raised.

#4 - loving me like her own daughter.  As I was thinking about everything, I realized that she went with me to select my wedding dress, not my own mother.  She helped me with planning the wedding, not my own mother.  She did so many things for me that my own mother should have done, but didn't. Plus she just told me last week how much she loved me and appreciated everything I had done for her.

Even though it sounds like something everyone always says at times like this, she is now peaceful, she is not suffering from the bladder cancer and its effects, and she is with Leo again.  She missed him so much and just wanted to be with him.

Another thing - at the very end of the letter I asked her to give a hug to Dad and to be sure to tell him all about the great-grandchildren they share.  Now I know that the kids have three great-grandparents watching over them!

Love you, Mom!  Be at peace!  'Till we meet again.......