Friday, January 29, 2010

In Memorial

Being raised in a traditional Irish Catholic family there were certain traditions that were maintained throughout my childhood and throughout our family. It wasn't that we were told that we had to do these things but more that they became ingrained in each of us. One such tradition was reflecting and remembering loved ones and the date they passed on. I don't remember ever giving it a second thought when my parents would reflect on family members no longer with us; it is no surprise then that these patterns became my own.
35 years ago today, my mother died from a stroke; it was very sudden and unexpected. I was just 22 years old when this occurred; not mature enough to really have known my mother as an adult. We did not have the best mother-daughter relationship for a variety of reasons but in the years that followed I wished that we could have had a relationship when I was truly an adult. It took me many years to understand my mom and her behaviors, her strengths and her weaknesses.
She was such a giving person to so many, to those in need she was always there. Staunch in her beliefs and characterized by a strong Irish personality, she was one who loved to have fun as well. She loved to tell stories of the Old Country, speak with a brogue and dance a jig.
As I've grown, I see so much of her personality in mine-a strong faith, many strong Irish tendencies and a love for others. I also inherited a love of writing and reading from my dad.
My brother shares many of her traits as well~a strong business sense and work ethic as well as a very witty humor.
Often when I hear others complain about their parents, while I might understand I also realize that once they are gone you realize how much you loved them just for being your parents.

Have a wonderful, joy-filled weekend my friends.
Hugs, Noreen

15 comments:

  1. Hi Noreen,

    Thank you for your prayers for my sister and our family. That means so much to me.

    I was also raised Catholic and I was extremely close to my mother and father up until the day they passed away. I was holding my precious mom's face in my hands when she took her last breath. I was able to pray for her at that very moment in passing. My mom had heart problems and died of congestive heart failure.

    No matter what goes on in one's life, the love for our parents still remains deep and enduring.

    Love you,
    Alleluiabelle

    ReplyDelete
  2. Oh Noreen Sweetie...
    Hugs to you today. Yes, my family too, remembers the ones that have passed on their day of passing. It is a celebration in that they have finished their walk of life. We so miss their earthly shares that we saw each day and grew up with, but they have graduated to heaven and have their degree so to speak.

    I will say a few prayers for you today. My post may be a blessing to you too. Stop by and read.

    Country hugs sweetie and much love...Sherry

    ReplyDelete
  3. Sorry for your loss and hoping the weekend is filled with happy memories!

    Thanks for sharing.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Such wise and heartfelt words, Nor.
    Very touching. I love thinking about my parents, especially my Mom and all she added to the lives of those she knew...mostly to her family and church.
    Thanks for sharing. I'm sure your Mom was a neat lady!! You sure are, my friend!!
    Love you bunches!!
    Beck

    ReplyDelete
  5. Nice post about your Mom.
    That would be such a hard age to loose your parent. Glad you can remember her fondly. I like you have my questions about what made my Mom tick. She could be hard to live with but her love for me and my siblings was never a question. Hugs (o:

    ReplyDelete
  6. A wonderful post about your Mom and it's nice that you see so much of her in yourself --

    Blessings dear Noreen ...

    ReplyDelete
  7. Just stopping by to catch up on your blog posts! You definitely find the time to post more often that I do.

    I can't imagine what it must have been like to lose your mother when you were still so young. I wish you could have known her as an adult. I lost my mother when I was almost 50, and I still miss her so! She wasn't perfect, but I did know she loved me and wanted the best for me.

    Enjoyed your other posts as well. In which town did you find your crock.

    ReplyDelete
  8. Hugs, Love & Prayers to you today Dear Noreen ~~ Ella

    ReplyDelete
  9. Thanks for sharing your memories. Sending comforting hugs to you. Blessings, Heather

    ReplyDelete
  10. Oh Noreen I am sorry you lost your mom at such a young age. It has taken me years to really understand my mother and have definitely found the older I have gotten the more I appreciate her and understand her. She sounds like such a neat lady, and how wonderful you see yourself in things you remember about her. Hugs to you, Debbie

    ReplyDelete
  11. Love and hugs to you as you remember your Mother. Thank you for sharing your heart for her with us.

    Love you.

    ReplyDelete
  12. Nice post. I lost my mother when I was 22 also. I often wonder what kind of adult realtionship we would have had. I believe it would have been a great one.

    ReplyDelete
  13. Thank you for sharing sweet lady.
    It's not been 2 years since my Mom passed so my feelings are still pretty raw.
    I praise God for your sensitivity and for the fond memories that you have. So sorry that you didn't have the gift of time (this side of heaven) to know her as an adult.
    Praying for God's continued comfort and blessing in your life.

    ReplyDelete

Leave your comment
"Thank You" for leaving me a comment on my blog ~ I so appreciate each one and even if I don't respond please know I do read them.
"May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer." Psalm 19:14