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This is a very different post than my normal crafting or home decorating post, but it is something I really felt compelled to write. Blogging has been a creative outlet for me and I am truly thankful for that.   Today I want to honor a beautiful woman who I was fortunate enough to call Mom.  It is the 25th Anniversary of her death and it was important to acknowledge that in some way. It certainly doesn’t take an anniversary to remember her, of course I do that daily.   But 2017 brings many milestones to my family-I am turning 50, my daughter 21, my Dad 75,  so I felt this was the perfect time to share. I want my children to know these things about my Mom.  Sometimes we get so busy, we don’t take time to just remember. Today I want to remember.

Remembering Mom

1. Your laughter- your sense of humor and love for impractical jokes is probably the thing I remember most. Thank you for passing that on to your grandson, Derek.  He has always been a “rascal” and I see you in him when he has that twinkle in his eye and is up to something! All he has to do is flash those dimples and all is forgiven. I miss your laughter.
2. Your kind heart-this is most definitely something you passed on to your granddaughter, Amanda. Though you didn’t have much to give, you would give whatever you had. Amanda is the same way. I miss your kindness.
3. Your forgiving nature-this is something I have struggled with over the years. I tried so many times to say Mom would forgive, or Mom wouldn’t want us to hold on to anger, but it is not easy. The what ifs are the hardest for me to overcome. But, we can’t go back and change things and we have to accept the good with the bad. I miss your forgiving nature.
4. Your love of family-I have so many great memories, but going to Cape Cod not only growing up, but also when Derek was a baby really stands out. You were so happy to take him away for the weekend and show him off. Although you were already sick by then, you were determined to make it a fun weekend and boy was it. Seeing you at the Christmas Tree Shop was like seeing a kid in Disneyworld! Yes-you passed this on to me! I miss your love of family.
5. Your strength-not once throughout the 5 years you fought to live (and boy did you fight) did you ever complain. Not once did you ever say “why me” or “I can’t do this”. You were determined to fit in as much as you could. Of course, all you wanted to do was spend time with your family-including your two new grandbabies. You cherished them more in 6 months of their life than some do in a lifetime. Your entire face would light up when you saw Derek and Breanna.  No matter how sick you were, you always managed to get in your hugs and kisses, blowing raspberries on their little faces or bellies. I wish your grandchildren knew you, but you live on through each of them.
6. One of the last things you said to me was no matter how succesful we were in our jobs, what mattered to you most was that we were good Mothers. At the end of the day that is what mattered. You were proud of us for working hard, but you were adamant that no matter what we did, being a good Mother was most important. You told Lori and I to take care of your baby, JoJo. That was your main concern. Make sure she is ok. She is better than ok Mom and I know you know that. I feel you every step of the way-usually when I need you most. Just as she did for you when you were sick,  Lori stepped into the Mother role and to this day has been our strength-giving us guidance, love & sometimes a strong talking to! It hasn’t been easy, but at the end of the day Lori, Joanne and I did what you said. We stuck together through thick and thin and I know we took the most important life lesson ever from you-we are all good Mothers.  For that I know you are proud!

In Rememberance Joyce E. Lemoi 10/12/44-03/12/92