09/29/2024
I sent this to my mother several months ago. She went to Heaven today. She will be truly missed.
From a Son to His Mom
I am sitting here this morning still processing the fact that your journey to the everlasting life is closer than I want it to be. I envy you and know as Heaven awaits your arrival that you have left your mark here on this earth. In the book of Mark as Jesus was in the house of Simon the l***r, a woman came in with an alabaster flask of ointment of pure nard that was very costly, she broke open the flask and poured it over his head anointing Jesus and in Mark 14:9 Jesus says “And truly, I say to you, wherever the gospel is proclaimed in the whole world, what she has done will be told in memory of her.” Did you know that that is the only time that Jesus said that about someone. We don’t even know her name, only the beautiful thing that she had done. He didn’t even say anything like that about His disciples. In our life on this earth, we can either leave a legacy or not. It’s up to us and how we live our lives.
You have lived that life that will be remembered for your selfless acts.
You brought into this world 4 children that you raised to be the best they can be. From those 4, you have 6 grandchildren that you had the opportunity to meet and leave your mark on along with 5 great grandchildren. The rest of this story has not been written yet, but your impact will be felt for generations to come!
But that’s not all. The Matthew 25:35 Food Pantry will continue to provide for those less fortunate and for the volunteers a chance to serve His Kingdom. He noticed. The countless times that you sang for Mass, funerals, wakes, and anytime you were called upon will always be remembered, your voice will be missed. By worshipping Him with your voice lifted high, He has heard! By your chosen profession in social work and helping those that were less fortunate or needed comfort, you were there providing the support they needed. You touched countless lives and were their strength when they needed it most. He saw that. There are many more things that you have done to improve those around you and that will be remembered as well. I just wanted to honor the ones that impacted my life the most. God knows them all and that’s all that really matters. The one trait that I cherish and inherited from you is a servant’s heart. That is what I’ll always remember!
The things I will miss the most are many and maybe a little selfish. Death always leaves a void in our lives, and I dread that. When Dad passed away, it left a big hole in my life that’s still present. There are so many things he missed that I needed him to see and be there for. He deserved more but that nasty cancer took him away. I will be forever grateful for the time I was able to spend with him, but it was not enough. It never is. I know you have lived a full life and I pray that I can live as long as you if not longer. With that being said, losing you will not be any easier. It will leave a big hole as well. Losing one’s parents closes a chapter in our lives that we are never prepared to be closed. Mother’s Day will never be the same. Every celebration throughout the year will be different as I will not be able to hear your voice and see how your celebration is and to hear you say, “I love you Mark Alan”. How I will miss that! My annual trip to Manistee to spend too little time with you and have dinner and laugh and tell stories of years past! That will be missed dearly. To know one day that I will never hear your voice again makes me very sad. I can’t even remember dad’s voice anymore. I look at pictures of us all together as a family and remember what a blessing it was growing up. We were loved and cared for. We were encouraged and set free to make our way. You and dad were our backstops when we needed it, and you were never too far away. After you are gone, that will be gone as well. I guess that’s the hardest part right now. I know I will move on and continue this journey we call life until we meet again in Heaven.
I hear Heaven is the best! Mansions, streets paved with gold, all the people we lost we will be reunited with, no more sickness or disease, lots of cats and most of all, God’s presence like we have never experienced. I can’t wait, but I know He is not done with me yet. He still has a path I need to follow and lives to touch. I can only hope that the legacy I leave will be as impactful as yours. You have set the standard. I will miss you dearly!
I love you with all my heart!
