Pat and Erin
I’ve started this at least ten times and never could get passed your names. It’s so hard because I don’t think I have the right words. How can words convey what my life was like because of your mom? There were so many things she said and did that help me to endure my childhood and come out the other side a reasonably sane adult. Funny thing was, she most likely didn’t even know at the time how much she helped me. I don’t remember ever having a fight with her or being upset with her. She would always comfort me and soothe away my fears. Your mom gave me two gifts that were my armor and salvation. The gifts were her old radio and record player. With them I could escape into music and dare to dream. Did I dream of being a Rock legend ?? Well no….it was the 60’s (no woman’s lib). I did dream of being the wife of a Rock legend! More than that, the music opened up my imagination and I started writing songs and short stories.
The music and the writing keep me from falling off the edge. Not that I didn’t slip a bit but I caught myself and have keep on moving.
Everyone sees things in a different light. To me, the light that your mom saw was the love she had for both of you. To me, the light your mom saw blended into a rainbow. To me, the light your mom saw was full of expectations. To me, the light your mom saw lead her to look for the good in people. To me, the light your mom is spreads across all who know her and we will always keep her in our hearts. I know she is sending us all White Light.
Auntie Kat
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Mama Bear
Mom always protected the ones she loved. She said she always tried to keep Erin and me from being traumatized. I think she did a reasonably good job of that. Reading your post made me think of that, for some reason.
I do remember one night when I was 9 years old, when I was home alone with her and my sister. Mom had thought she'd seen something out of the corner of her eye, and she went into full-on mama-bear mode. She calmly gathered my sister and me into the kitchen, told me to look after my sister, and to call the police if I heard anything. She grabbed a big knife and went stalking after whatever it was that she saw. Turns out that there was no one there, no intruder, nothing that could hurt us. But if there had been an intruder, I'm pretty sure he would have sorely regretted blundering into my mother's house while her children were there.
I also remember one night before Erin was born. Mom had thought she'd seen a some nasty critter skithering into my bedroom. She calmly woke me up, got me out of my room, and then tore my room apart hunting for that critter. She eventually declared my room safe, having not found anything of concern. Mama bear to the rescue, again.
During one of Erin's dance recitals, she saw flames flickering backstage. Her mama-bear instinct kicked in and she started to rush up onto the stage to rescue my sister from the flames. Fortunately, my dad restrained her, because the flames were coming from the poi sticks of the fire dancers who were up next. But Erin would have been safe if there had been a real fire.
Sure, none of these incidents amounted to any real threat, but that didn't matter to Mom. I think she would have taken on Satan, himself, in order to keep her children safe.
Mom always protected the ones she loved. I'll always love her for that.
I just miss her..
reading all these posts Patrick. I can still hear her laugh. We had so much fun working at Pizza Chalet!! Ring of fire always reminds me of her, singing, dancing...and working...I still think of her when I drive by the building. She watches us all from heaven. Love you MaryEllen !!