Friday, January 27, 2006

~Happy Birthday Mom~


Today my mom would have been 54. Yep, would have been. Almost 3 years ago, she passed away from her battle with cancer. Do I miss her? Sometimes it's still unbearable how much I miss mom. Just the other day I had a memory and picked up my phone to call her. Then I felt silly.. it's been almost 3 years without her. Without her laugh, her wittiness, her wisdom, her selflessness..

Most of my best memories of mom include humor. The woman was completely random at times, can put my ditzy stories to shame and was down right hilarious! Just like yesterday, I can imagine her at the kitchen table during prayer laughing so hard her belly bounced. She was queen of laughing during prayer. I can still see her in a dressing room while we were trying on new jeans loudly asking if they "fit alright in the crotch?" On vacations in a cramped car she would show us her cheer block routines from high school. I remember her saying, "Darce, cheer block was where it was at. We were cooler than the cheerleaders. When the white gloves came out, you knew we meant business."

These are memories I have of mom pre-cancer. I really think God has a sense of humor because some of her funniest moments were when she had cancer. After she had lost her hair, her favorite hat was covered in clouds. I think she liked it best so she could pull her famous one liner.. "My head's in the clouds!" Mom called dad "The Natzi" when he was protective of her by not letting her go places or making her wear her mask to shield germs. Oh.. morphine made her one goofy lady! A few days before she passed away she woke up after she was sound asleep telling my dad, "Denny! There's a man in the window wearing a tux." Dad looked at the window, saw that there was nothing there and told mom, "There is? That would be hard, we're on the 6th floor." Mom laughed and said, "Well that's his problem, isn't it?" I still to this day think the man in the tux on the 6th floor was an angel.

Even though I only spent 22 years of my life with mom, she was an example of how to conduct yourself in a way that is worthy of Christ. She was the best example that God could have given me! She taught me not to complain in any situation. Even through the immense amount of pain that she endured, I NEVER heard her complain. Nurses would fight over who would get to take care of her during their shift! I learned to smile through the worst of my own pain and suffering. It puts a whole different perspective on things when you smile. A friend wrote a song inspired by my mom and there is a part where she sings, "Do I smile when it's hard to breathe?" When my mom had to wear an oxygen mask and was close to her death, she was smiling. People could see the joy in her life only possible through Jesus Christ. She was different. She was an example of how to put God first, others second and yourself last. She didn't just say it, her actions proved it.

A couple of hours before she died, with myself, my brother, sister and dad present, she prayed. Her oxygen level was so low that she should have been unconscious. The first words that came out of her mouth were, "Dear heavenly father, thank you for this wonderful day." My mom was praising Jesus hours before she met Him! Romans 8:28 tells me, "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose." Mom was called home at the age of 51 even though she had a loving husband and 3 kids who still longed for her to be around. She is experiencing her reward in full from her relationship with Christ and the life that she lived for Him here on earth!

Mom, I can't even imagine what birthday parties are like in heaven.. Happy 54th!

16 comments:

Felicia said...

I'm crying here reading this. Your mom sounded like an awesome lady. {hugs}
May God give you the strength to be without her everyday.

brooke said...

darc,
that was so beautiful. so touching. such a reminder. girl, i can't tell you the places i've been that only my savior could have allowed me to get through. my savior, my strength. and yours. and it is amazing to know that you can smile. with that strength. with his strength. knowing your mom is home. hugs, to you, dear one. your mom, i'm sure, is smiling. you are such an example. xoxo, brooke

Anonymous said...

wow, this is such a powerful post... you definetly need to turn it into a LO.
I am amazed at your strenght to write about your mom, she seems like am amazing woman.:)

Emily said...

Darcy, there are no words...I am so sorry for the pain and loss that you must deal with, truly. What a loving tribute. Big hugs and prayers.

christy marie said...

Happy Birthday Linda!!!! I wish I would have gotten the chance to know her, but because she lives on through you, sometimes I forget that I never got the opportunity to meet her. You are so special. I love ya, Darce!!!

Mara said...

darcy - lots of hugs... your post was beautiful.
a wonderful tribute to such a courageous woman.
i am sure that she's smiling watching you succeed in all you're doing.
happy birthday, mom!!
lots of love to you today, darce.
xo.

RACHEL =) said...

DARCE, YOU KNOW HOW I FEEL ON THIS SUBJECT... AND HONESTLY I DON'T EVEN KNOW WHAT ELSE TO SAY EXCEPT THAT IS JUST ABOUT THE MOST BEAUTIFUL THING I HAVE EVER READ... WOW, WHAT AN AMAZING MOM AND ROLE MODEL!!! I FEEL THE SAME WAY ABOUT MY DAD.

AM WISHING YOUR MOM A WONDERFUL BIRTHDAY... I'M SURE SHE IS HAVING THE TIME OF HER LIFE - MY DAD IS PROBABLY CELEBRATING RIGHT WITH HER (HIS BDAY WAS JAN. 4th, HE WOULD HAVE BEEN 55)!!!!

LOTS OF LOVE AND HUGS TO YOU, MY DEAR!!!

Valerie said...

That is absolutely touching...happy birthday to your mom, who I know is watching you from up above.

Kat said...

you're mom sounds like she was an awesome woman. happy birthday to her!!! awesome, powerful post. definently need to scrap it. thanks for sharing it with us!

Unknown said...

Happy Birthday to your mom and I know that you have her with you every day in everything you do. We're thankful she blessed us with such a wonderful daughter that she shared with us!

Elizabeth said...

hugs to you my friend!
I was waitng all day to read this.. and then forgot to comment!
it is certainly the hs in you pouring out these wonderful words as such a loving tribute to your mom.
you know she is partying off her hiney off and cheering you on in everything you do =).

e said...

wow.
goosebumps and tears...
that was just an amazing tribute to your mom on her birthday.
i know you must have made her smile....
how lucky you both were to have had each other. xe

island jen said...

awwww...sweetie!! what a wonderful tribute to your mom!! sounds like you two had a wonderful relationship!!

hugs sweetie!

Jill H said...

Wow, Darcy. Beautiful description of your Mom, it sounds like she was a truly amazing woman, and I am glad for you that you had her to look up to. Even though some people are only with us a short time, I believe some of those people show us a Christ-like example that makes us feel like we can be better and more like Him too. It sounds like your Mom was definitely one of those special people that God chose to show us how to live. Just think of how proud she must be to know you've now shared her story with us, bloggers (and probably some blog-stalkers!) who would never have heard about her otherwise. THANK YOU FOR INSPIRING ME :)

Darin said...

It sounds like your mom was a great woman. Her spirit lives on in heaven and her legacy lives on in you. I'm sure she is proud of you every day!

Dina said...

Dace, that was wonderful! It made me giggle and remember the wonderful creation of your mom. Oh Lindy, happy birthday! You are so wonderful to share your life with so many people Dace, and I am really proud to call you my friend.

Love ya, Dina